Star of Courage (Australia)

Award

Star of Courage
Medal and ribbon
Type	Medal
Awarded for	"acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril"
Presented by	Australia
Eligibility	Australian Citizen or a Foreign Citizen acting on behalf of Australia or an Australian
Post-nominals	SC
Status	Currently awarded
Established	14 February 1975
First awarded	1976
Last awarded	24 July 2018
Total	182
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	Star of Gallantry
Next (lower)	Distinguished Service Cross
Related	Cross of Valour Bravery Medal Commendation for Brave Conduct Group Bravery Citation

The Star of Courage (SC) is a bravery decoration awarded to Australians. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. The SC was created on 14 February 1975. The decoration recognises acts of bravery by members of the community. They selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others. It is ranked second in the Australian civil bravery decorations in the Australian Honours System. Recipients of the Star of Courage are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "SC".

Description

Medal

The Star of Courage is a silver, ribbed star with seven points ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse has the shield and crest of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms surmounted by a Federation Star.

Ribbon and bar

A suspender bar is engraved with the words For Courage. The 32mm medal ribbon is dark red with a central magenta band of 14mm width, representing the colours of venous and arterial blood.

Decoration allowance

Section 102 of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) provides for the payment of an allowance called “decoration allowance” to a veteran who is in receipt of a disability pension under the VEA and who was awarded the Star of Courage for gallantry during a war or warlike operations covered by the VEA. At March 2008, this tax free allowance was A$2.10 per fortnight.

References

^ "It's an Honour - Star of Courage". Retrieved 7 February 2008.
Medal Yearbook 2023. Honiton, Devon: Token. 2022. p. 459. ISBN 978-1-908828-63-7.
^ "The Order of Wearing Australian Honours and Awards" (PDF). Government House. 25 September 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
^ "Australian Bravery Association - Star of Courage". Retrieved 7 February 2008.
"Veteran's Entitlements Act 1986 - Sect 102". Commonwealth Consolidated Acts. Australasian Legal Information Institute. Retrieved 17 November 2007.

External links

Star of Courage Fact Sheet, Australian Bravery Association. Also at It's an Honour
The Australian Honours Secretariat, www.gg.gov.au

Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia

(order of wearing)

National orders

/ Order of Australia

Royal orders

Gallantry

Bravery

Distinguished service

Conspicuous service

Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC)
Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM)

Nursing service

Nursing Service Cross (NSC)

Meritorious service

Campaign medals
(service periods)

1939–1945	Australia Service Medal 1939–1945
1945–1975	Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 Australian General Service Medal for Korea (1953–1956) Vietnam Medal (1964–1973) Vietnam Logistic and Support Medal (1968–1973) Australian Service Medal 1945–1975
1975–2012	Australian Active Service Medal (1975–present) Rhodesia Medal (1979–1980) International Force East Timor Medal (1999–2000) Afghanistan Medal (2001–2014) Iraq Medal (2003–2013) Australian Service Medal (1975–present)
2012–present	Australian Operational Service Medal – Border Protection (2012–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – GMEO (2014–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Special Operations (2019–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery (2020–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Africa (2023–present) Australian Operational Service Medal – Civilian (2012–present)