The Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal, established in 1999 in the Australian Honours System, recognises members of Australian organisations, and members of Australian contingents to international organisations, who are exposed to risk or danger in the course of providing significant emergency humanitarian aid to civilians overseas. This award can only be awarded to individuals who participated in an eligible event declared by the Governor-General.

The Governor-General, on the recommendation of the Government, has declared the wildfire emergency in British Columbia Canada in 2017, as eligible for the purpose of the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal.

Staff from eligible organisations who meet the criteria outlined in the declaration can now be nominated for the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal. As nominations to receive the award require verification, nominations from deploying organisations are preferred.

The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet will be contacting eligible organisations shortly to assist them with nominating eligible personnel for the Medal. You can read the full announcement on the Assistant Ministers Media Centre.

Find more information at Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal.