Australian Symbols
The National Symbols Of Australia

Australian Symbols are chosen to represent National pride, Australian values, our unique Australian identity and our love of this amazing land we live in.

They reflect the different aspects of our Australian culture, Australian history and life in Australia.

There are the Formal Symbols of Australia and then there are the more informal that are nevertheless a representation of Australia.

Of the other symbols, that are not used on formal occasions, some are very well known both here and overseas while others may be well known in Australia but not so well known overseas.

What those symbols are and what they mean to individual Aussie's is different depending on who you are and your individual feelings, heritage and life.

Below are the Formal Symbols of Australia.

The Australian Flag is our number one National symbol. It was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition that was held following Australian Federation.

The Australian Coat of Arms is the formal symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. The first Australian Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII in 1908 following federation.

The Australian National Anthem is Advance Australia Fair and was officially proclaimed in 1984, it expresses our happiness and pride in being Australian.

The Australian Colours of green and gold were formally recognised in 1984 but were popular and loved by Australians long before then.

The Australian Gemstones is the opal, proclaimed in 1993. Opal is a symbol of the arid interior of Australia and is known to Indigenous Australians as the fire of the desert.

The Golden Wattle is the Australian Floral Emblem; it was formally proclaimed in 1988 although it has been the informal Floral Emblem for many years.

Some of the Informal Australian Symbols

• The Slouch Hat - worn by digger's since the late 1800's


• The Eureka Flag - used in the Eureka Uprising in Ballarat, Victoria 1854


• The Boxing Kangaroo Flag - used to inspire Aussie's at sporting events


• Uluru - located in the National Heritage Listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park; the 'spiritual heart of Australia'


• The Sydney Opera House - recognised world wide as a symbol of Sydney and Australia


• Vegemite - the uniquely Australian spread; love the vegemite!


• The Aboriginal Flag - For me personally, even though I am not an Indigenous Australian, the Aboriginal Flag always gives me a warm feeling, reminds me of the very first Aussies, the great outback, the sun, and my love of this big beautiful country.