Commercial use
The Australian National Flag can be used for commercial purposes, including advertising, without formal permission, except when importing products, applying for trademarks and registering designs.
When using or reproducing an image of the Australian National Flag, you must consider the following guidelines:
- The flag should be used in a dignified manner and reproduced completely and accurately.
- The image of the flag should not be covered with other words, illustrations or objects.
- All symbolic parts of the flag should be identifiable, such as the Union Jack, the Southern Cross and the Commonwealth Star.
Colour references for the Australian National Flag are:
- Blue PANTONE ® 280, and
- Red PANTONE ® 185.
Importation and customs regulations for the Australian National Flag
Any items bearing images of the flag (or closely resembling the flag), including souvenirs, clothing, toys and other merchandise, are considered ‘restricted imports’ under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956.
The design of the flag should meet the guidelines for the commercial use of the flag. Importers and designers can consult PM&C during the initial design phase, before manufacturing the items.
Before importing items, importers must get approval for the design of the item/s from PM&C.
To get approval from PM&C, please send the following information to the Parliamentary and Government Branch:
- A full description of the goods.
- Quantities of the goods.
- Name, company details and postal address of the importer.
- Colour image of the goods.
For further information about importing items bearing images of the flag, see the Department of Home Affairs website.
Importers do not need a separate import permit from the Department of Home Affairs.
Registering trademarks which include the Australian National Flag
If you want to register a trademark that includes representations of the flag, you must make sure the design meets the guidelines for the commercial use of the flag.
Trademarks which do not comply with the guidelines may be rejected under section 39 of the Trade Marks Act 1995, which restricts the registration of trademarks containing, or consisting of, a representation of a Commonwealth flag.
You cannot register a trademark design that is the Australian National Flag itself. If you apply to do so, your application will be refused under section 43 of the Designs Act 2003.
Contacting the Parliamentary and Government Branch
If you have any questions about the appropriate use or representation of the flag, please contact:
Honours and Symbols Section
Parliamentary and Government Branch
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6271 5601
Email: nationalsymbols@pmc.gov.au
Australian National Flag protocols
As Australia’s foremost national symbol, the Australian National Flag should be used with respect and dignity. The Australian National Flag protocols, which can be found in the Australian Flags booklet, will assist you when flying or using the flag, including as part of flag-raising ceremonies.
Optional flag retirement ceremony
In some circumstances, it may be fitting to hold a ceremony to mark the retirement of a used Australian National Flag. The order of ceremony events below is provided as a guide on how such an event could be run.
- Introduction/Welcome by Master of Ceremonies
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Comments regarding the history and symbolism of the Australian National Flag (flag that is being retired to be displayed to those in attendance)
- Comments regarding retired flag’s history (where it was flown, how long it was flown for, memorable events that occurred during the time it was flown)
- Speech about the retirement of the flag (short silence while flag is retired).
The flag can be ceremonially cut into 3 pieces with solemnity. Two cuts should be done in such a way to ensure that the 3 symbolic elements of the flag (the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross) are left intact.
The parts of the flag should be placed in a suitable receptacle, and either escorted from the ceremony or left until those attending the ceremony depart. After the ceremony, the flag may either be placed in a permanent place of storage or be destroyed privately and in a dignified way.
- The Australian National Anthem is to be played. Information on Anthem protocol, and downloadable files, are available on the Department’s website.
- Closing remarks.
Copyright of the Australian Aboriginal Flag
Carroll & Richardson-Flagworld Pty Ltd is the exclusive licensed manufacturer and provider of the Australian Aboriginal Flag on flags and pennants, banners and buntings.
Requests for permission to reproduce the Australian Aboriginal Flag on the above mediums should be addressed to:
Flagworld Pty Ltd
22-24 Miles Street
Mulgrave VIC 3170
Phone: 1800 135 247
International: +61 3 9566 4500
As the owner of the copyright in the design of the flag, the Commonwealth allows the design to be freely reproduced by the public on all other mediums.
Copyright of the Torres Strait Islander Flag
The flag is protected by copyright and may only be reproduced in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968, or with the permission of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council. Requests for permission to reproduce the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be addressed to:
Torres Strait Island Regional Council
PO Box 7336
Cairns QLD 4870
Phone: 07 4034 5700
Fax: 07 4034 5750
Email: info@tsirc.qld.gov.au
Further information on reproduction requirements are available on the Torres Strait Island Regional Council website.