On 26 June 2004, the Government announced the establishment of the Australian Defence Medal for six years service in the Australian Defence Force since World War II. An estimated 400,000 personnel are eligible.

The criteria also recognises National Servicemen and those who could not serve the four-year qualifying period because of the ADF's workplace and enlistment policies of the time.

The Australian Defence Medal is a circular cupro nickle medal 38 millimetres in diameter with a thickness of 3 millimetres. A rim ,one millimetre thick surrounds the outer edge of the flan. The medal is suspended by a 32 millimetre riband passed through a sealed cupro nickel ring, 1.6 millimetres thick with an inside diameter of 12 millimetres. The riband is 32 millimetres wide consisting of the colours black, white and red. Obverse - A stylised version of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms is used. The top outer edge is inscribed with the words 'THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE MEDAL'. Reverse - the words 'FOR SERVICE' lie central to the flan surrounded by a wreath of wattle with the top edge of the flan ensigned with the St Edward's Crown.