The Prime Minister has announced a National Day of Mourning on Thursday, 22 January 2026, to honour the victims and all those impacted by the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. The theme that the Chabad Community in Bondi has chosen is ‘Light will win, a gathering of unity and remembrance’.
Australians are invited to observe a minute of silence at 7:01pm AEDT and to leave a candle on their doorstep or window. National institutions in Canberra and New South Wales will be illuminated on the evening of Thursday, 22 January. Institutions around Australia are encouraged to participate.
Further information is on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s website. Please check the website closer to the date for the most up-to-date advice.
As a mark of mourning and respect, and in accordance with protocol, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Thursday, 22 January 2026, Australia-wide and at Australian overseas posts from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies.
State and territory governments and organisations around Australia are encouraged to participate in flying their flags at half-mast and to light up buildings.
- When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
- If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag.
- An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
- Information on flag protocol is available on the Department's website.
Your assistance is appreciated.
Commonwealth Flag Officer