Damon Mcknight
The Australian National Flag is a symbol of the nation and is treated with respect and dignity. While there are no penalties for misuse, there are guidelines for its use under the Flags Act 1953. These guidelines cover how to raise and fly the flag, and its use in commercial contexts and at polling places and funerals. The flag is flown on special occasions such as Australia Day and Anzac Day, and can be flown every day of the year. When flown with other flags, the Australian flag takes precedence and is flown at the same height, occupying the position of honour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of flagpoles in front of or on top of a building | If there are two flagpoles, the Australian flag should be on the left of the observer facing the flag. If there are more than two flagpoles, it should be flown as near to the centre as possible. |
| Position relative to other flags | The Australian flag takes precedence over all other national flags and should be flown at the same height and size. |
| Position in a line of flags | If there are an odd number of flags, the Australian flag should be in the centre. If there are an even number of flags, it should be on the left of the observer facing the flags. |
| Position in a semi-circle of flags | The Australian flag should be in the centre. |
| Position in an enclosed circle of flags | The Australian flag should be flown on the flagpole opposite the main entrance to a building or arena. |
| Position when two Australian flags are available | One flag should be flown at each end of the line, with the flags of other nations in between. |
| Position on a speaker's platform | The flag should be flown against the wall or on a staff on the speaker's right as they face the audience. |
| Position of the Union Jack | The Union Jack should be in the upper left-hand quarter, known as the 'canton'. |
| Flying at half-mast | Flags can be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. The Australian flag should be raised first and lowered last. |
| Flying at night | The Australian flag may be displayed at night if it is properly illuminated. |
| Disposal | Old flags should be disposed of privately and in a dignified manner, such as by cutting them into small, unrecognisable pieces. |
| Use in advertising | The flag can be used for commercial or advertising purposes without formal permission, but it should be used in a dignified, accurate, and identifiable manner. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Australian National Flag takes precedence over all other flags
- The flag must be flown aloft and free
- The flag should not be flown in an inferior position to other flags
- The flag should be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning
- The Australian Red Ensign is the proper flag to be flown by Australian-registered ships
The Australian National Flag takes precedence over all other flags
The Australian National Flag is the correct flag to be flown on land by individuals, public, private, and commercial organisations. It may also be flown on government ships, fishing vessels, pleasure craft, and small craft. The Australian National Flag takes precedence over all other flags and should be flown accordingly.
When flown alone on top of, or in front of a building with two flagpoles, the Australian National Flag should be flown on the flagpole to the left of the observer facing the flag. When flown alone in front of a building with more than two flagpoles, it should be flown as near as possible to the centre. When displayed at a meeting on a speaker's platform, it should be placed against the wall or on a staff on the speaker's right as they face the audience.
When flown with flags of sovereign nations, the Australian National Flag takes precedence and should be flown on the left of the observer facing the flags, with all flags at the same height. If there are three or more flags forming an odd number, the Australian National Flag should be in the centre. If there is an enclosed circle of flags, the Australian National Flag should be flown on the flagpole opposite the main entrance to the building or arena. If there are two Australian National Flags, one should be flown at each end of the line, with the other flags in between.
When flying the Australian National Flag with State flags and/or other flags, the Australian National Flag should always be flown on the far left of a person facing the flags. If there are two rows of flagpoles with no formal focal point, the Australian National Flag should be flown on the diagonal corners of the arrangement.
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The flag must be flown aloft and free
The Australian National Flag is afforded a great deal of respect and there are several guidelines to follow when flying it. One of the most important rules is that the flag must be flown aloft and free. This means that it should not be allowed to fall or lie on the ground. It should always be flown in a position of prominence and never in an inferior position to any other flag or ensign. This is because the flag is the national emblem and should be treated with respect and dignity.
When flown in Australia, the Australian National Flag takes precedence over all other national flags and should be flown first and lowered last. If there are multiple flagpoles, it should be flown on the left side of the observer facing the flags or as near to the centre as possible. When flown with other flags at the same height, it should occupy the position of honour, with the Union Jack in the upper left-hand quarter, known as the 'canton'.
The flag should not be used as a covering for a statue, monument, or plaque during an unveiling ceremony. It should also not be used as a table or seat cover or to mask boxes, barriers, or intervening space between the floor and ground level on a platform or dais. When the flag is being raised or lowered, or when it is carried past in a parade, all present should face the flag, men should remove their hats, and everyone should remain silent.
The Australian National Flag may be used for commercial or advertising purposes without formal permission, but it should be used in a dignified, accurate, and identifiable manner. It should not be defaced with printing or illustrations and should not be covered by other objects in displays.
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The flag should not be flown in an inferior position to other flags
The Australian National Flag is afforded a high level of respect and is subject to specific rules and guidelines when it is flown. One such rule is that the flag should not be flown in a position inferior to other flags or ensigns. This means that when the Australian flag is flown alongside other flags, it should take precedence and be given the position of honour. This rule applies when the flag is flown in Australia, and also when it is flown internationally alongside other sovereign nations' flags.
When flown on separate staffs and at the same height, the Australian flag should be the same size, or larger, than other flags and occupy the position of honour. This position is usually to the left of the observer facing the flags, or in the centre of a line of flags representing an odd number of sovereign nations. If there are an even number of flags, the Australian flag should be flown on the left of the observer, and if in a semi-circle formation, it should be in the middle. When flown with other flags, the Australian flag should be raised first and lowered last.
When the Australian flag is flown alone, it should be flown as near to the centre as possible, whether this is on a single flagpole or on multiple flagpoles in front of a building. If there are two flagpoles, it should be flown on the left-hand flagpole, and if there are more than two, it should be flown in the centre or as near to the centre as possible.
The Australian National Flag is the correct flag to be flown on land by individuals, organisations, and on government ships and fishing vessels. The Australian Red Ensign is the proper flag to be flown by Australian-registered ships and may also be flown by government ships and fishing vessels as an alternative to the National Flag. No ship may fly both the National Flag and the Red Ensign simultaneously.
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The flag should be flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning
The Australian National Flag is a symbol of the nation and should be displayed in a manner befitting the national emblem. It should be flown aloft and free, never allowed to fall or lie on the ground. When flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning, the flag should be treated with the utmost respect.
Flying the flag at half-mast is a symbol of mourning and respect. In Australia, the flag is flown at half-mast on the death of a local citizen or on the day of their funeral. The Australian Government may also direct that flags be flown at half-mast on certain occasions. For example, in September 2022, the Australian National Flag was flown at half-mast as a mark of mourning following the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
When flown at half-mast, the flag should be raised to the top of the flagpole first and then slowly lowered ceremoniously. It should be flown during daylight hours and positioned a third of the distance down the flagpole. If flown overnight, it must be illuminated. When the Australian National Flag is flown with other flags, all flags should be at half-mast together and the Australian flag should be raised first and lowered last.
Flags flown at half-mast should never be allowed to fall or lie on the ground. Under no circumstances should flags be flown at half-mast after dark, even if illuminated.
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The Australian Red Ensign is the proper flag to be flown by Australian-registered ships
The Australian Red Ensign is a red version of the Australian national flag, using the same shade of red as the Cross of Saint George, which is part of the Union Jack present in the canton. The Australian Red Ensign is the proper "colours" flag to be flown by Australian-registered merchant ships. This was confirmed by the Shipping Registration Act 1981, which also states that smaller pleasure and fishing craft can fly either the Australian Red Ensign or the Australian National Flag, but not both at the same time.
The Australian Red Ensign has a long history in Australia, with Australians fighting under it during both World Wars. It was also used as the main flag by private citizens on land and at sea in the early years of Federation. The Australian Red Ensign is an important symbol of Australian identity and nationality, and its use is governed by Australia's obligations under Article 91 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, to which Australia is a signatory.
The Australian Red Ensign is reserved specifically for Australian-registered ships, and it is an honour and a privilege to be able to fly this flag. It is a symbol of Australia's commercial and shipping crews, who played a vital role in carrying valuable cargo during World War I and World War II, often at great risk.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian flag should be flown aloft, free, and in a manner befitting the national emblem. It should not be subjected to indignity or displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign. The flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
The Australian flag may be displayed at night but only when properly illuminated. In an enclosed circle of flags, the Australian flag should be flown on the flagpole immediately opposite the main entrance to a building or arena.
Flags in any locality can be flown at half-mast on the death of a local citizen or on the day, or part of the day, of their funeral. The Australian government may also give direction for all flags to be flown at half-mast.
