Description

• The Anniversary of National Service 1951–1972 Medal is a circular bronze medal ensigned with the Crown of St Edward
  St. Edward's Crown
  St Edward's Crown was one of the English Crown Jewels and remains one of the senior British Crown Jewels, being the official coronation crown used in the coronation of first English, then British, and finally Commonwealth realms monarchs...
  
  . The obverse depicts an Australian Defence Force emblem with the crossed swords of the Army taking precedence, being the arm predominantly affected by national service. The Federation Star
  Commonwealth Star
  The Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
  
   surmounts the emblem. The words 'Anniversary of National Service' are on the perimeter of the medal and the years 1951–1972 are on the central bottom edge.
• The reverse shows the Southern Cross overlaid on spreading rays and surrounded by a cog: a traditional symbol for the spirit of co-operation between the Australian Defence Force and the community.
• The ribbon has a central yellow stripe, flanked by two dark blue stripes, which are in turn flanked by white, green and light blue stripes and ochre edges. The central yellow and dark blue stripes represent Australia's national colours of the time, the white, green and light blue represent the Navy, Army and Air Force and the outer ochre stripes represent the soil of Australia.