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About Australian Flags
 

Australian Flag

It is Australia’s foremost national symbol and has become an expression of Australian identity and pride. The flag is paraded by our defence forces and displayed around the country at sporting events and by service organisations, schools, community groups and private citizens.

In 1995 the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were proclaimed official flags under the Act.

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by artist Harold Thomas and first flown in Adelaide on National Aborigines Day in July 1971. It became the official flag for the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972.

The Torres Strait Islander flag was designed by the late Bernard Namok. Adopted in 1992, it was the winning entry in a design competition run by the Island Coordinating Council.

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Caring for our Flag 

  • Flags should always be handled and displayed in a respectful manner. 

  • Flags should always be flown freely and as close as possible to the top of the flagpole. 

  • Two flags should not be flown from the same flagpole. 

  • The flag should never be flown if it is damaged, faded or dilapidated. When the material of a flag deteriorates, it should be destroyed privately and in a dignified way. 

  • The flag should not be flown upside down, even as a signal of distress. 

  • The flag should not fall or lie on the ground or be used as a cover (although it can be used to cover a coffin at a funeral) 

  • When multiple flags are flown together, they must all be the same size.

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