The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) was introduced in 1991 and is awarded for distinguished command and leadership in action. As with gallantry decorations, distinguished service decorations are not specific to rank, but because the Distinguished Service Cross is for ‘command’ in action, it is more likely that the Distinguished Service Cross will be awarded to officers.

The Distinguished Service Cross is a modified Maltese Cross of nickel-silver with the obverse having a central device of the Federation Star on a disc of flames. The reverse has a panel for recipient details.

The Distinguished Service Cross ribbon has a central stripe of orchre-red flanked by silver-blue stripes.

A further award of the Distinguished Service cross is denoted by a nickel-silver bar with the Federation Star superimposed on a harizontal row of flames. When the ribbon is worn alone, The award of a bar is indicated by the addition of a ribbon bar emblem in the form of a nickel-silver Federation Star.