Victoria Cross for Australia

The Victoria Cross for Australia

 

The Victoria Cross for Australia (VC) is the pre-eminent award for acts of bravery in wartime and Australia's highest military honour. It is awarded for the most conspicuous gallantry, or daring or pre-eminent acts of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

More information on the award can be found on the defence.gov.au website and in the Gallantry Decorations Booklet, which includes:

  • history, eligibility and nomination details
  • Letters Patent, Regulations and Determinations
  • images and descriptions of what each award looks like; and
  • guidance on how decorations are worn.

 

About Letters Patent, Regulations, Determinations, and Wearing

Each award in the Australian honours system has been approved by Letters Patent signed by The Sovereign on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Letters Patent institutes the medal and determines that the medal is governed by the Regulations for each award.

The Regulations are approved by The Sovereign and set out the terms and conditions of an award including factors such as eligibility criteria and designations of the award.

The Regulations also authorise the Governor-General to approve the manner of wearing of each award and the design of the medal. This document is known as the Determination.

The Determination makes reference to the:

  • Order of Wearing of Australian Honours and Awards – this is the notification by the Governor-General of the order the Sovereign has determined each award is to be worn; and
  • Guide to the Wearing of Insignia – this is a detailed guide outlining the appropriate manner in which insignia are worn.

Letters Patent:

Victoria Cross Letters Patent 1991 - 15 January 1991

Regulations:

Victoria Cross Regulations 1991 - 15 January 1991

Determinations: