The Cross of Valour was established in 1975 as part of the institution of the Australian Honours System, and is Australia's highest decoration for courage. The Cross of Valour has been awarded to five Australian civilians and, although there has been no military recipient, they would be eligible in situations where normal military honours do not apply.

;1995

  • Mr Victor Boscoe, Qld – Pursued and apprehended armed robbers at Strathpine.

;1998

  • Senior Constable Allan Sparkes, NSW – Rescued a boy from flooded underground storm water drains.

;2003

  • Senior Constable Timothy Britten, WA – Entered the Sari Club, destroyed in the 2002 Bali bombings, to rescue a badly injured woman, and then searched for other potential survivors despite personal injury and ongoing explosions.
  • Mr Richard Joyes, WA – Entered the bombed Sari Club alongside Senior Constable Timothy Britten to rescue a badly injured woman and search for other potential survivors despite personal injury and ongoing explosions. He represented recipients at the 2023 Coronation.

Decoration allowance

The Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs may grant an allowance, called decoration allowance, to a veteran who has been awarded the Cross of Valour if the veteran is in receipt of a pension under Part II of the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (VE Act) and the award was for gallantry during a war to which the VE Act applies or during warlike operations. So far there have been no awards of the Cross of Valour during wars or warlike operations as required by the VE Act. The allowance has been A$2.10 per fortnight since the Goods and Services Tax in Australia commenced on 1 July 2000.

See also

  • Orders, decorations, and medals of Australia
  • British and Commonwealth orders and decorations
  • Cross of Valour – Canada's counterpart
  • George Cross – United Kingdom's counterpart
  • New Zealand Cross – New Zealand's counterpart

References

  • Cross of Valour Association of Australia – official website