Study topic
Australian national symbols and flags
The citizenship test asks about Australia's national symbols including the flags, the coat of arms and the anthem. Understanding what each symbol represents shows knowledge of Australian identity and history.
Key facts to remember
- ◆ The Australian National Flag has three elements: the Union Jack, the Commonwealth Star and the Southern Cross.
- ◆ The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas and is an official flag of Australia.
- ◆ The Torres Strait Islander Flag represents the peoples of the Torres Strait.
- ◆ The coat of arms features a kangaroo and an emu — animals that cannot easily walk backwards.
- ◆ The national anthem is "Advance Australia Fair"; the first verse was updated in 2021 to include "for we are one and free".
Knowing why symbols matter — not just what they look like — is the level of understanding the test and the citizenship pledge both require.