Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, Assistant Minister for the Public Service, Assistant Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
The date of Australian National Flag Day, 3 September, marks the day the flag was first officially flown in 1901 at the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne.
For 124 years, the Australian National Flag has flown over our government buildings, schools and universities, and alongside our defence force.
On 3 September 1901, the nation's first Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton announced five joint winners of a competition to design a flag for Australia. The competition received nearly 33,000 entries.
The largest flag flying in Australia today flies every day above Parliament House in Canberra. It marks the exact centre of the building and measures 12.8 metres by 6.4 metres - the same size as the side of a double-decker bus.
In 2022 the Albanese Government launched new and updated educational resources to strengthen knowledge of Australia's national symbols.
These resources included updated versions of the Australian Flags and Australian Symbols booklets, which are available on the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet website at www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/australian-national-symbols(link is external) .
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman:
"I encourage all Australians to join in celebrating of our nation's history and future, and proudly fly the Australian flag.
"From the country's greatest triumphs to our most challenging moments, since 3 September 1901, the Australian National Flag has been an enduring symbol of what we have achieved as a modern nation."
"The Australian Flag is protected by the Flags Act 1953, alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags."
"On National Flag Day I encourage all Australians to reflect on why you are grateful to call this great nation home."
