State flag

The Colonial Naval Defence Act of 1865 meant that any British colony could legally have its own vessels of war and could use a flag with the Blue Ensign and the colony’s badge. The Blue Ensign flag features the Union Jack in the top left of a blue flag.

The earliest badge of the Colony of NSW was the Red Cross of St George on a silver field. The British Government authorised this to be used on 7 August 1869. 

The current badge was announced by the Governor on 15 February 1876. The badge is silver on a red cross, with a golden lion walking forwards while looking at the viewer, between 4 gold stars each with 8 points.

The NSW state crest was approved on 18 February 1876.

King Edward VII approved the NSW Coat of Arms in October 1906 which shows a lion and a kangaroo holding a shield. A rising sun is shown above the shield and the Latin motto ‘Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites’ is below the crest, which means ‘Newly risen, how brightly you shine'.

The NSW state crest was officially announced on 18 February 1876.

The crest, which shows a central red cross, in a larger silver cross, is the Red Cross of St George, the old badge of the colony. It is also the Navy flag badge and so recognises the work of such naval officers as Captain Cook and governors Philip, Hunter, King and Bligh.

The 4 stars on the cross represent the Southern Cross – from earliest time a mariner’s guide in the south and referred to often in Australian poetry and literature as a national symbol.

The lion in the centre is the English Lion derived from the British Arms.

The first and fourth quarters are the Golden Fleece, a reference to our great achievement in the wool industry. The second and third quarters are the Wheat Sheaf, representing our second and great primary industry.

The crest, the Rising Sun, continues the use of our earliest colonial crest, representative of a newly rising country. The livery colours of the Arms, blue and white, mirror the state’s sporting colours. The right-hand supporter, the lion, is a further recognition of the British origin of our first European settlers and the continuing connection between NSW and Great Britain. The left-hand supporter, the kangaroo, is our most distinctive animal and often used as an emblem of Australia.

The Latin motto of NSW 'Orta recens quam pura nites' means 'Newly risen how brightly you shine.' The motto, like the rising sun in the crest, is representative of our continuing progress and development.

King Edward VII approved the NSW Coat of Arms in October 1906.

National flags of sovereign nations should be flown on separate staffs and at the same height. If possible, all flags should be the same size.

The Australian national flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.

The flag should always be flown or displayed in a dignified way and flags should never be used for the unveiling of a monument or plaque, or used as a table or a seat cover, or let fall onto or lie upon the ground. If a purely decorative effect is desired without the involvement of precedents, it is better to confirm the display to flags of lesser status, for example, house flags, or pennants of coloured bunting.

Flags should never be flown at night unless properly illuminated.

You should avoid flying more than 1 flag from the same halyard.

A ruined or worn flag should not be flown or displayed. When a flag is no longer suitable for use it should be destroyed privately.

There are special rules for flying the United Nations flag. All members of the United Nations have agreed that on United Nations Day, 24 October, if only 1 position is available, the United Nations flag should be flown.

Ceremonial raising or storage

Ideally, and when possible, the flag should be raised at 8am and lowered at sunset.

Flags should be dried before storing and repaired or replaced when torn or faded.

Folding the flag

Follow the diagrams for the proper folding of your flag.

1. Start in this position.

2. Fold it lengthwise once and then once again.

3. Bring the two ends together.

4. Now concertina by folding backwards and forwards, until it is neatly bundled.

5. It is kept bundled by winding the rope under itself.

As the main symbol of NSW, the flag represents all the people of the state. The NSW Government encourages the use of the flag by private individuals, businesses and organisations. The NSW flag should be flown or displayed in a dignified way and treated with respect.

Note: Flags are also flown on special occasions and at half-mast for State Funerals, State Memorials and funerals of Heads of State of other countries.

When a flag becomes old or ruined and is no longer in a good condition, it should be destroyed privately in a respectful way.

Are you unsure of the flag protocols around a particular day or look to seek advice on what days to fly the NSW flag?

All NSW flag marshals now have the opportunity to register for the NSW Flag Network.

By joining the network, you will be the first to be notified via email with the latest flag protocol for special occasions such as Anzac Day, or on occasions when flags should be half-mast.

For further information about flying the flags, email Protocol NSW at the Premier's Department.

Flags are flown at the half-mast position as a sign of mourning.

The flag is brought to the half-mast position by first raising it to the masthead and immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The flag should be raised again to the top before being lowered for the day.

The position of the flag when flying at half-mast will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole.

It must be lowered to a position obviously half-mast so it does not appear to have accidentally fallen away from the masthead.

Half-masting would normally be when the top of the flag is one-third of the distance down from the top.

For the half-masting of flags on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day,  refer to special occasions on which flags should be flown.

A flag should never be flown at half-mast at night, whether or not the flag is illuminated.

Colour references for the NSW flag are:

Red: Pantone 485
Blue: Pantone 2758
Gold: Pantone 123

Flying flags on or in front of:

1. A building with one flagpole with cross arms

(i) The Australian national flag is flown from the halyard on the left of the observer facing the building.

The NSW state flag is flown from the halyard on the right of the observer facing the building.

or

(ii) The Australian national flag is flown from the masthead.

The NSW state flag is flown from the halyard on the left of the observer facing the building.

A house flag or club pennant is flown from the halyard on the right of the observer.

2. A building with 2 flagpoles of equal height

The Australian national flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

The NSW state flag is flown on the flagpole on the observer’s right.

3. A building with 3 flagpoles of equal height

When flying another national flag:

(i) The Australian national flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

Other national flags are flown on the centre flagpole.

The NSW state flag is flown on the flagpole to the observer’s right.

When flying a house flag or club pennant

(ii) The Australian national flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

The NSW state flag is flown on the centre flagpole.

A house flag or club pennant is flown on the flagpole on the observer’s right.

4. A building with 3 flagpoles, when the centre pole is higher than the other 2

The Australian national flag should be flown from the centre pole.

The NSW state flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

A house flag or club pennant is flown on the flagpole on the observer’s right.

If only the Australian national flag and the NSW state flag are available, they should be flown on the 2 outside poles (omitting the higher centre pole).

If 2 national flags are to be flown, they should be flown on the 2 outside poles (omitting the higher centre pole). No national flag should be flown higher than another.

The top left quarter of the flag is to be placed at the top on the observer’s left.

The Australian national flag should be on the left of the observer facing the flags. The staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

The Australian national flag should be carried at each end of the line.

The NSW state flag is flown to the right of the Australian national flag (as seen by a viewer facing the flag bearers).

The Australian national flag is carried on the right facing the direction of movement.

The NSW state flag is carried on the left of the national flag.

In a semi-circle of flags, the Australian national flag should be in the centre, with the NSW state flag positioned on the right.

In an enclosed circle of flags, the Australian national flag should be flown on the flagpole immediately opposite the main entrance to the building or arena, with the NSW state flag positioned on the right.