30 April 2026

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Approval is given under Section 83 of the Defence Act for the AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES badge to be used on the private memorial to:

Please note that the veteran's rank and unit are not specified. However rank and unit can be inscribed on the plaque or memorial without permission from the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG).

Approval is issued on the understanding that the erection of the memorial will be at no cost to the Commonwealth. While responsibility for the inscription and layout lies with the person arranging this memorial you should be aware of copyright provisions applicable to official commemoration.

This approval should be presented to whoever is arranging for the manufacture of the memorial or plaque, this is usually the cemetery or crematorium authority.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Australian War Graves on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) should you have any questions regarding this matter.

Permission to Use the Service Emblem

What is Permission to Use the Service Emblem?

All veterans who served in the Royal Australian Navy, the Australian Army or the Royal Australian Air Force are entitled to have their Service emblem/badge inscribed on their private memorial. Veterans who served in the Merchant Navy are entitled to inscribe a Merchant Navy badge. However, for copyright reasons, permission to inscribe a badge must first be obtained from the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG). Section 83 of the Defence Act 1903 (Cth) delegates authority to the Director of War Graves to approve the use of a Service emblem on privately erected memorials for individuals.

What does this on-line facility provide?

This on-line facility has been developed to assist in obtaining the necessary letter of permission to use the Service Badge on the commemoration/memorial of a deceased veteran. Veterans may wish to print a letter of permission for placement with their personal papers. Families, cemeteries and crematoria are also able to print permission letters without delays when a veteran passes. The facility to print a letter of permission is available for each veteran listed on this Nominal Roll. The letter provided will reflect the Badge and Service number for the veteran's war service.
The letter is designed to be printed on a standard A4 page. If your letter seems too small, please adjust the page settings in your internet browser.

What can this letter of permission be used for?

This letter can be used to acknowledge the Service of a veteran on a privately arranged memorial in a cemetery or crematorium. Foundries and monumental masons will not inscribe a Service emblem without this permission.

If a letter of permission can be printed, does it mean the veteran is deceased?

Permission can be printed for all veterans on this Nominal Roll whether alive or deceased.

Where can I get help?

For help with letters of permission please contact wargraves@dva.gov.au or 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).

How do I obtain permission for other badges?

Written requests for permission to use Australian badges or emblems other than those of the Navy, Army and Air Force, for example the badge of a particular Corps such as the Artillery, in any publication (including on a memorial) should be directed to the Department of Defence:

Defence Community Organisation (DCO)
DGPERS-A
R8-9-026
Russell Offices
CANBERRA ACT 2600

Permission to use emblems of foreign services should be sought from the relevant Embassy or High Commission.