Australia’s flags
Australian citizenship test study notes, summarised from page 14 of Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet the test is based on.
- The Australian National Flag is the official flag of our nation. The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag are also officially recognised. Each state and territory also has its own flag.
- National Flag (blue, white, red): Union Jack top-left (British settlement, inherited laws and institutions); Commonwealth Star under it with seven points (six states + one for the territories); the Southern Cross on the right.
- Aboriginal Flag (black, red, yellow): black top = Aboriginal peoples; red bottom = the earth (ceremonial significance); yellow circle = the sun.
- Torres Strait Islander Flag (green, blue, black, white): green = land; blue = sea; black lines = the people; white dancer’s headdress = all Torres Strait Islanders; star points = island groups; white = peace.
Our Common Bond, p. 14
Sample practice questions
Try these, then check your answer. They’re our practice questions, not the real test questions.
1. What is the official flag of Australia?
- The Australian National Flag
- The Australian Aboriginal Flag
- The Torres Strait Islander Flag
Show answer
Answer: A. The Australian National Flag
The Australian National Flag is the official flag of our nation. The other two are officially recognised flags.
Our Common Bond, p. 14
2. On the Australian Aboriginal Flag, what does the red bottom half represent?
- The earth, which has ceremonial significance
- The sun, which gives life to the land
- The warm climate of the north
Show answer
Answer: A. The earth, which has ceremonial significance
The bottom half is red and represents the earth, which has ceremonial significance.
Our Common Bond, p. 14
3. What is in the top left corner of the Australian National Flag?
- The Southern Cross, a group of stars in the sky
- The Commonwealth Star, with its seven points
- The Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom
Show answer
Answer: C. The Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom
The Union Jack, which is the flag of the United Kingdom, is in the top left corner of the Australian National Flag.
Our Common Bond, p. 14
Practise all 19 questions on this topic