The Emergency Services Medal (ESM), was approved by the Queen as part of the Australian system of honours and awards in 1999. The medal recognises distinguished service by the men and women of Australia’s emergancy service organisations across the nation.

Each Australian emergency service organisation may award one Emergency Service Medal for every 1000 full-time members or part of 1000 full-time members in every calender year; and in addition each ambulance service may award one medal for every 5000 or part of 5000 part-time, volunteer or auxiliary members.

Only one award is every made to an individual and recipients are entitled to use the post-nominal letters ‘ESM’.