The Flag of Western Australia
Eligible recipients of free State flags
Flags are available for Members of Parliament to present to schools, local councils, churches and other non-profit or benevolent community organisations. This includes local sporting clubs, Guides and Scouts, Rotary and Lions, and voluntary support services within their electorates, as well as to exchange students and teachers travelling overseas.
Organisations requesting a flag must display it on an exterior flagpole or in halls or meeting rooms. Flags may be renewed when worn. Members should exercise their discretion when providing replacement flags.
Flags are not available under this program to businesses, commercial enterprises or private individuals, with the exception of exchange students and teachers. Government bodies are also not eligible and should obtain funding for flags through the normal budget processes.
See Symbols of Western Australia for more information about the history, specifications and downloads of the Flag of Western Australia and State Badge.
The Australian National Flag
Show moreFor more information about the history, specifications and downloads of the Flag of Western Australia and State Badge see Symbols of Western Australia.
Flag loan service
Show moreGroups may request the short-term loan of the Australian National Flag, the Western Australian Flag and other State or Territory flags for special events.
Flag loan requests can be made via email.
Flag protocols
Show moreA flag should always be:
- treated with respect and dignity
- raised no earlier than first light and lowered no later than dusk
- raised briskly and lowered with dignity
- flown aloft and free, as close to the top of the flag mast as possible and with the rope tightly secured
- illuminated if flown at night.
A flag should never be:
- allowed to fall or lie upon the ground
- used to unveil monuments or plaques, or cover tables or seats
- flown when damaged, faded or dilapidated
- flown upside down, even as a signal of distress
- flown from the same flag pole as another flag.
Flag precedence
Show moreIt should not be flown in an inferior position to any other flag or ensign. The superior position is based on the formation of the flagpoles in a set, not the height of the flag on the flagpole.
Where all flag poles are the same height and positioned in a straight row, the Australian National flag should always be positioned on the far left of a person facing the building.
The correct precedence for flying flags in the community is:
- Australian National Flag
- National flags of other nations
- State and Territory flags
- Other flags prescribed by the Flags Act 1953 (including the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag)
- Ensigns and Pennants (including local government, private organisations, sporting clubs and community groups)
Unless all flags on display can be raised and lowered simultaneously, the Australian National Flag should be raised first and lowered last. If there are two Australian National Flags, one can be flown at each end of a line of flags.
When flying the Australian National Flag alone at a building which has more than two flagpoles, the Australian National Flag should be flown in the centre, or as near as possible to it.
Horizontal and vertical display of flags
The Australian National Flag and Australian state flags have the Union Jack in the upper left-hand quarter (the 'canton') nearest the flagpole.
The canton is the position of honour on the flag. Whether the flag is displayed flat against a surface (either horizontally or vertically), on a staff, on a flag rope or suspended vertically in the middle of a street, the canton should be in the uppermost left quarter as viewed by a person facing the flag.
When the flag is displayed vertically, it appears to be back to front. However, as the canton is in the upper left hand quarter, this is correct.
See the examples below:
Half-masting flags
Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. The following points outline the correct protocols associated with half-masting flags:
- When flying the Australian National flag with other flags, all flags should be flown at half-mast together.
- The Australian National flag should be raised first and lowered last.
- The flag should be raised to the top of the flagpole briefly, and then lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
- The appropriate position is achieved by imagining another flag flying above the half-masted flag. It would be acceptable for the top of the flag to be positioned a third of the distance down the flagpole.
- Under no circumstances are flags to be flown at half-mast after dark, even if illuminated.
Flags in any locality can be flown at half-mast on the death of a local citizen or on the day, or part of the day of their funeral.
There are occasions when direction will be given by the Australian Government for all flags to be flown at half-mast. To be notified about events such as half-mastings and other nationally significant occasions, individuals can subscribe to the Commonwealth Flag Network.
The Protocol unit ensures that advice is provided to key WA Government agencies by conveying Commonwealth Flag Network notifications by email.
Information regarding flag protocol is available from the Australian Government website
The free publication, Australian Flags, is also available from the electorate offices of Federal Members of Parliament.
