An SAS digger has become the most highly decorated member of the Australian Defence Force after being awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous gallantry shown while attacking Taliban machine gun positions in Afghanistan.

Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith, 32, today received his VC from Governor-General Quentin Bryce at a special ceremony in Perth, adding to his Medal for Gallantry awarded for bravery under fire in Afghanistan in 2006.

The full military ceremony at Campbell Barracks for the Perth-born soldier was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Chief of Defence Force Angus Houston.

Cpl Roberts-Smith is the father of two five-month-old twin girls and son of Western Australia's Corruption and Crime Commission head, Len Roberts-Smith.

He is only the second Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, after it was established in 1991.