The symbol of the Organizing Committee was used for the badges, which were 2" x 1¼" in size. Coloured ribbon, appropriately stamped, denoting the category of the wearer or his sport was attached to each badge.

Once again the principle was adopted of using the badges for souvenir and identification purposes only and not to admit the wearer to any venue.

It was also decided that where a recipient, because of the positions he held, was entitled to more than one badge, he would be given the badge and ribbon corresponding to the highest Olympic position held.

Numbers were estimated by referring to previous celebrations of the Olympic Games and by correlating these figures with the numbers expected to attend in Melbourne. In addition, every Australian sporting governing body provided a list of its officials and appropriate numbers were ordered.

Four types of badges were provided instead of three as at previous Games, because it was felt that the competitors should be grouped separately and given a distinctive badge. The following types of badges, therefore, were issued :—
(a)  Gilt with white enamelled border and with               For guests of honour and high
enamelled rings, torch and Australia                              officials
(b)   Silver oxidized with blue enamelled border            For sports and team officials
and with enamelled rings, torch and
Australia
(c)   Silver oxidized with maroon enamelled                  For competitors only
border and with enamelled rings, torch
and Australia
(d)   Bronze with dark green enamelled border             For press, photographers, 
and with enamelled rings, torch and                               broadcasters, and television
Australia                                                                            and filming operators.
 .
The number of badges ordered and issued are listed at the end of this report.

Method of Distribution
The following method of distribution of badges and commemorative medals was
adopted :—
International Olympic Committee.
Sent to each member individually at his hotel

Sports Officials.
(a) International : By the respective International Federation upon
submission of a list of personnel involved
(b) Australian : By the secretary of the Australian governing body

Presidents, secretaries, and members of National Olympic Committees, team officials
and competitors.
Badges and commemorative medals for these groups were handed to representatives of each national team after receipt of the nominal roll containing names and categories of the complete delegation

Press.
By the Press Department of the Organizing Committee. The press were not entitled to commemorative medals

Attaches.
By the Organizing Committee at a meeting of attaches three weeks before the commencement of the Games

Other groups.
By the Technical Department

Plastic Badges.
In addition to the enamelled badges ordered, it was decided to provide plastic badges to distinguish lesser officials and interpreters. Thus 1,350 badges labelled "Official" and 500  with the designation "Interpreter" were provided. Recipients of plastic badges were not entitled to commemorative medals.

(Source document:   Official Report 1956, page 102)