The Iraq Medal is a cupro-nickel medal with the Australian Coat of Arms on the obverse. The reverse has a processional lion standing on a narrow plinth and the word ‘IRAQ’.

The ribbon is sand yellow representing the desert sands of Iraq, with central stripes of purple and red representing the ADF and the conflict in Iraq.

The medal was awarded initially for a period of 7 days service in the prescribed area from 18 March 2003. From 1 May 2003 the qualifying period was extended to 30 days.