Australia’s national flag has a blue field with the Union Jack in the upper hoist, a large seven-point Commonwealth Star below it and the Southern Cross constellation on the fly.

What do the stars mean?

The Commonwealth Star has seven points: six for Australia’s states and a seventh representing the territories. The five stars on the fly form the Southern Cross, a constellation strongly associated with Australia’s position in the Southern Hemisphere.

History

The design grew from a national competition held after Australian federation in 1901. King Edward VII approved the winning design in 1902. A seventh point was added to the Commonwealth Star in 1908, and the Flags Act 1953 formally declared the blue ensign the Australian National Flag.

• Design competition: 1901
• Commonwealth Star points: seven
• Southern Cross stars: five
• National flag law: Flags Act 1953