Part 1 · Sub-section 7 of 8
Australia's Flags
The Australian National Flag is the official flag of our nation. Other flags that are officially recognised and may be flown in the community include the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag. Each state and territory also has its own flag.
Key Fact: Three flags are officially recognised: the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag, and the Torres Strait Islander Flag.
The Australian National Flag
The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red. It has three key elements: the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star, and the Southern Cross.
Australian National Flag
Blue
White
Red
Union Jack (top left) — represents our history of British settlement and the laws and institutions we inherited.
Commonwealth Star (below Union Jack) — 7 points: one for each of the 6 states, plus one for the territories.
Southern Cross (right) — a group of stars visible in the southern sky.
Remember: The Commonwealth Star has 7 points — 6 for the states and 1 for the territories. This is a frequently tested fact.
The Australian Aboriginal Flag
The Australian Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow. It is a symbol of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia and their deep connection to the land.
Australian Aboriginal Flag
Black
Red
Yellow
Top half — Black: represents the Aboriginal peoples of Australia.
Bottom half — Red: represents the earth, which has ceremonial significance.
Yellow circle (centre): represents the sun.
The Torres Strait Islander Flag
The Torres Strait Islander Flag is green, blue, black and white. It represents the Torres Strait Islander peoples, their land, and their sea.
Torres Strait Islander Flag
Green
Blue
Black
White
Green stripes (top & bottom): represent the land.
Blue panel (centre): represents the sea.
Black lines: represent the Torres Strait Islander people.
White dancer's headdress (centre): a symbol for all Torres Strait Islanders.
White star points: represent the island groups in the Torres Strait; white = peace.
Key Points to Remember
- Australian National Flag: blue, white and red
- Union Jack (top left) = British settlement and inherited laws/institutions
- Commonwealth Star (below Union Jack) = 7 points (6 states + 1 for territories)
- Southern Cross (right) = stars visible in the southern sky
- Australian Aboriginal Flag: black, red and yellow
- Black (top) = Aboriginal peoples; Red (bottom) = the earth; Yellow circle = the sun
- Torres Strait Islander Flag: green, blue, black and white
- Green = land; Blue = sea; Black = Torres Strait Islander people
- White dancer's headdress = symbol for all Torres Strait Islanders; White = peace
Quick Check
Score: 0/5
Question 1 of 5
What are the colours of the Australian National Flag?
Why it matters: The Australian National Flag is blue, white and red. Green and gold are the national colours (from the wattle), NOT the flag colours. This is a very common trick question.
Question 2 of 5
How many points does the Commonwealth Star have, and what do they represent?
Why it matters: The Commonwealth Star has 7 points — 6 represent the individual states, and the 7th represents all the territories. This is frequently tested. It is NOT 6 (missing the territories) or 8.
Question 3 of 5
What are the colours of the Australian Aboriginal Flag?
Why it matters: The Aboriginal Flag is black, red and yellow. Black (top) = Aboriginal peoples; Red (bottom) = the earth with ceremonial significance; Yellow circle = the sun.
Question 4 of 5
What does the yellow circle on the Australian Aboriginal Flag represent?
Why it matters: The yellow circle in the centre of the Aboriginal Flag represents the sun. The red half represents the earth (with ceremonial significance) and the black half represents the Aboriginal peoples.
Question 5 of 5
On the Torres Strait Islander Flag, what does the blue panel in the centre represent?
Why it matters: The blue panel in the centre of the Torres Strait Islander Flag represents the sea — which is central to Torres Strait Islander identity and way of life. The green stripes represent the land.