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Australian National Symbols

The story of Australia’s symbols is rich and colourful. Our symbols represent what is unique about the nation, reflecting different aspects of our cultural life and history.

Among our best-loved symbols are the Australian National flag featuring the stars of the Southern Cross, the Union Jack and Commonwealth or Federation Star; our floral emblem, the fragrant golden wattle; the celebratory national colours of green and gold and our vibrant gemstone, the Australian opal. The Australian National Anthem is also one of our most important national symbols.

Explore the Symbols Timeline to find out more about the decisions made over the last century to select our national symbols.

Latest News

Opal - Australia's National Gemstone. On 23 July 1193 - the Governor General, the Hon Bill Hayden AC, proclaimed the Opal as Australia's national gemstone. Australia's Opal fields are larger than all the Opal fields in the rest of the world combined. Australia is the only place in the world where you can find Opalised animal fossils, there are also many examples of Opalised plant fossils.

Opal – Australia’s National Gemstone

Australian National Symbols Australian National Gemstone

Monday, 27 July 2020

The opal is a national symbol that represents our cultural life and history. 27 July 1993 marked the official day the opal was proclaimed Australia’s national gemstone.

Resources

Opal – Australia’s National Gemstone Infographic

Symbols timeline

The Symbols Timeline has information about the decisions made over the last century to select our national symbols.

Programmes & Policies

Australian flags

Australian Flags

31st August 2020

Australian flags include the Aboriginal flag, Torres Strait Island flag and many ensigns used in defence and civilian organisations. Information about the Australian National Flag is also available on this website.

Australian Floral Emblem

Australian Floral Emblem

18th October 2018

Australia's national floral emblem is the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha Benth.). When in flower, the golden wattle displays the national colours, green and gold. As one species of a large genus of flora growing across Australia, the golden wattle is a symbol of unity.

Australian National Colours

Australian National Colours

22nd August 2016

The national colours, green and gold, hold a treasured place in the Australian imagination.

Australian National Gemstone

Australian National Gemstone

30th August 2016

Australia's national gemstone is the opal, a stone famous across the world for its brilliant colours. In Indigenous stories, a rainbow created the colours of the opal when it touched the earth. Opal, also known to Indigenous people as the fire of the desert, is a powerful symbol of Australia's arid interior.