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Australian heraldry
Commonwealth Coat of Arms
 
Heraldic traditionGallo-British
Governing bodyDisputed

Australian heraldry is the style and tradition of using armorial achievements, sometimes known as coats of arms, and other heraldic bearings and insignia in Australia. It largely follows the Gallo-British tradition of heraldry also followed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand.

Heraldic authority

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Australia does not have its own heraldic authority which grants or records arms, though the College of Arms in London claims to be "the official heraldic authority" for Australia and much of the Commonwealth.[1] They have issued arms in the name of the Australian monarch.[2] Additionally, the College's Garter Principal King of Arms is mentioned in the ordinances of the Order of Australia.[3] However, the College's authority is disputed by the Australian Heraldry Society.[4]

The Australian Heraldry Society argues that the heraldic authority for Australia is vested in the King of Australia, who can delegate that authority to whomever they choose.[4] In response to questions submitted by the Society, on 7 February 2018 prime minister Malcolm Turnbull stated:[5]

I am advised by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that ... the practice of the College of Arms in England granting armorial bearings to Australians is well established as one way Australians can obtain heraldic insignia if they wish to do so. There is nothing preventing any person or organisation from commissioning a local artist, graphics studio or heraldry specialist to design and produce a coat of arms or identifying symbol. Those arms would have the same standing and authority in Australia as arms prepared by the College of Arms in England.

Grants of heraldic arms to Australian residents or institutions may be made, depending on their eligibility, by the English College of Arms, Scottish Court of the Lord Lyon, Chief Herald of Ireland, Chief Herald of Canada, State Herald of South Africa or the various authorities in Spain, Belgium, Russia or other places.[6]

Coats of arms

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The heraldry of Australia has added indigenous Australian animals to the existing heraldic bestiary, along with native plants and occasionally traditional motifs of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

National arms

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The first official arms of the Commonwealth of Australia were granted by King George V via royal warrant on 7 May 1908.[7][8]

The official blazon for the 1908 arms was:[9][10][11]

Escutcheon: Azure on an inescutcheon argent upon a cross of St. George cottised of the field five six pointed stars of the second (representing the constellation of the Southern Cross) all within an orle of inescutcheons of the second, each charged with a chevron gules.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours a seven-pointed star or.

Supporters: On a compartment of grass to the dexter, a kangaroo, to the sinister an emu both proper.

Motto: Advance Australia

As the 1908 arms did not make any reference to the states, on 19 September 1912 King George V issued another royal warrant granting a new coat of arms to the Commonwealth which incorporated the badges of the six states. These are the current arms.[7][8]

The official blazon for the 1912 arms is:[12]

Escutcheon: Quarterly of six, the first quarter argent a cross gules charged with a lion passant guardant between on each limb a mullet of eight points or; the second, azure five mullets, one of eight two of seven one of six and one of five points of the first (representing the constellation of the Southern Cross) ensigned with an imperial crown proper; the third of the first, a Maltese cross of the fourth, surmounted by a like imperial crown; the fourth of the third, on a perch wreathed vert and gules an Australian piping shrike displayed also proper; the fifth also or a swan naiant to the sinister sable; the last of the first a lion passant of the second, the whole within a bordure ermine.

Crest: On a wreath or and azure a seven pointed star or.

Supporters: To the dexter a kangaroo, to the sinister an emu, both proper

Although not an official part of the arms, they are typically depicted as framed by stylized branches of golden wattle and with a scroll with the motto "Australia" beneath the shield.[7][8]

Arms of states and territories

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Armiger Image Date adopted Heraldic authority Blazon / Description Ref.
New South Wales 1906 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Azure a cross argent voided gules charged in the centre chief point with a lion passant guardant, and on each member with a mullet of eight points or between in the first and fourth quarters a fleece or banded argent and in the second and third quarters a garb also or

Crest: On a wreath of the colours a rising sun each ray tagged with a flame of fire proper

Supporters: On the dexter side a lion rampant guardant: And on the sinister side a kangaroo both or

Motto: Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites ("Newly risen, how brightly you shine")

 [13][14]
Victoria 1910 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Azure, five stars argent representing the constellation of the Southern Cross.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours a demi-kangaroo proper holding in the paws an imperial crown or.

Supporters: On the dexter side a female figure (representing peace) proper vested argent cloaked azure wreathed round the temples with a chaplet and holding in the exterior hand a branch of olive also proper – and on the sinister side a like figure (representing prosperity) vested argent cloaked gules wreathed round the temples with a chaplet of corn and supporting with the exterior hand a cornucopia proper.

Motto: Peace and Prosperity

 [15][16]
Queensland 1893/1977 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Per fesse the chief or, the base per pale sable and gules, in chief a bull’s head caboshed in profile muzzled a merino ram’s head respecting each other proper, the dexter base charged with a garb of the first and the sinister base on a mount a pile of quartz, issuant therefrom a gold pyramid, in front of the mount a spade surmounted by a pick saltirewise all proper.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours, a mount thereon a Maltese cross azure surmounted with a royal crown between two sugar-canes proper.

Supporters: On the dexter side a red deer and on the sinister side a brolga wings elevated and addorsed both proper

Motto: Audax at Fidelis ("Bold but Faithful")

 [17]
South Australia 1984 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Azure on the rising sun depicted as a roundel or an Australian piping shrike displayed and standing on the staff of a gum tree proper

Crest: On a wreath or azure and gules four sprigs of Sturt's desert pea proper

Compartment: A grassy mount and in front two vines growing from therefrom each entwining their stakes proper, on either side thereof stalks of wheat and barley and the dexter side scattered with citrus fruits and lying on the sinister side two cog wheels with between them a miner's pick also proper

Motto: South Australia

 [18]
Western Australia 1969 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Argent on a base wavy azure charged with a barrulet wavy argent a black swan naiant proper.

Crest: On a wreath or and sable the royal crown between two kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii) flowers slipped proper.

Supporters: On either side a kangaroo holding in the exterior fore-paw a boomerang proper.

 [19]
Tasmania 1917 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Quarterly gules and barry wavy argent and azure a fesse of the second charged with a ram statant proper between in chief a garb and a thunderbolt and in base four apples and a branch of hops all or

Crest: On a wreath argent a gules: a lion statant gules resting the dexter fore paw on a shovel and a pick-axe in saltire proper

Supporters: On either side a Tasmanian tiger proper

Motto: Ubertas et Fidelitas ("Fertility and Faithfulness")

 [20]
ACT / City of Canberra 1928 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: A triple-towered castle between in chief a sword of justice point upwards to the sinister surmounted by a parliamentary mace head upwards to the dexter in saltire charged at their point of intersection with a representation of the imperial crown and in base a rose barbed and seeded (being the badge of York)

Crest: In front of a gum tree issuant from a mount a portcullis ensigned with the imperial crown

Supporters: On the dexter side a swan sable beaked gules and on the sinister side a white swan proper

Motto: For the King, the Law and the People

 [21][22][23][24]
Northern Territory 1978 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Tenny, representations in the Australian Aboriginal manner of an Arnhem Land rock painting of a woman with stylised internal anatomy between in dexter chief and base two symbolic representations of campsites joined by journey or path markings in the manner of the Central Australian Aboriginals and in sinister chief and base the like, all argent

Crest: Upon a wreath of the colours a wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax) wings elevated grasping with its talons an Australian Aboriginal stone Tjurunga proper

Supporters: On either side a red kangaroo (Megaleia rufa) guardant that to the dexter holding in the dexter fore-paw a Chiragra spider conch (Lambis chiragra) and similarly that to the sinister in its sinister fore-paw a true heart cockle (Corculum cardissa) growing from [the compartment].

Compartment: A grassy sandy mound Sturt's desert roses (Gossypium sturtianum).

 [25]
Norfolk Island 1980 Royal warrant

Escutcheon: Per chevron azure and argent in chief two mullets of the last and in base issuant from a rocky mount charged with a book expanded proper edged or leathered gules a Norfolk Island pine proper

Crest: Out of a naval crown azure a demi-lion or gorged with a laurel wreath proper and holding a covered cup or

Supporters: On the dexter side a lion and on the sinister side a kangaroo proper each resting the exterior foreleg on an anchor erect azure

Motto: Inasmuch

 [26]

Civic arms

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The following is a non-exhaustive list of civic heraldry in Australia:

Armiger Image Date adopted Heraldic authority Blazon / Description Ref.
City of Sydney 1908–1996 College of Arms Escutcheon: Per fesse or and azure, a three-masted ship in full sail argent, on a chief between the arms of Townshend (viz., gules, a chevron ermine between three escallops argent, and a crescent or for difference) and the arms of Hughes (viz., gules, a chevron between three lions rampant or, on a chief arched argent two roses of the field, a crescent or for difference) a pale argent charged with a cross gules, thereon a globe proper between two estoiles of the first in pale.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours an anchor erect ensigned by a mullet of six points gules and enfiled by a civic crown or.

Supporters: On the dexter side an aboriginal of Australia holding in the exterior hand a native spear and on the sinister a sailor of the 18th century armed with a cutlass and a brace of pistols in his belt holding in the exterior hand a boat hook all proper.

Motto: I take but I surrender

 [27][28][29][30][31]
1996 Assumed

The coat of arms as adopted by the city of Sydney in 1996 borrows elements from the 1908 arms.

The shield of the arms is blue, charged with a white anchor enfiled by a golden mural crown and with, in chief, a stylized version of the chief from the 1908 arms in gold, white and blue.

For the crest it has a golden six-pointed star. For the supporters, on the left it has a blue snake covered with gold and white markings in the style of the Eora, representing the Rainbow Serpent, and on the right it has a coiled rope, both entwined beneath the shield.

Motto: City of Sydney

 [27][28]
City of Melbourne 1970 College of Arms

Escutcheon: Argent, on a cross cotised gules, between in the first quarter a fleece proper banded azure ringed gules, in the second quarter on a mount a black bull statant, in the third quarter on waves of the sea a whale naiant spouting, and in the fourth quarter on waves of the sea a three-masted ship in full sail, a representation of the royal crown all also proper.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours, out of a mural crown or, a demi kangaroo to the sinister regardant proper.

Supporters: On either side a lion rampant or crowned with a mural crown sable and gorged with a collar gules charged with two mullets argent attached thereto a chain reflexed over the back also gules.

Motto: Vires Acquirit Eundo ("We gather strength as we go")

 [32][33][34]
City of Brisbane 1948 College of Arms

Escutcheon: Barry wavy of six argent and azure a caduceus or on a chief nebuly of the second a Stafford knot of the third between two mullets of the first.

Crest: On a wreath or and azure out of mural crown gules a leopard's head couped or between two palm branches slipped vert.

Supporters: On either side a gryphon proper charged on the neck with a bar wavy azure.

Motto: Meliora Sequimur ("We aim for the best")

 [35][36]
City of Adelaide 1929 College of Arms

Escutcheon: Azure, a cross or surmounted by another gules between in the first quarter a three-masted ship in full sail proper, in the second quarter a golden fleece, in the third quarter a bull's head caboshed also proper, and in the fourth quarter a garb also or, the shield ensigned by a mural crown gold.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours a dexter arm embowed proper sleeved above the elbow argent, and grasping in the hand a miner's pick point upwards also proper.

Supporters: On the dexter side a lion guardant or, and on the sinister side a kangaroo gules.

Motto: Ut Prosint Omnibus Conjuncti ("United for the common good")

 [37][38]
City of Perth 1926

Escutcheon: Argent a cross gules, in the first quarter a swan sable upon water proper, and in the fourth quarter on an escutcheon gules within a double tressure counter flory a holy lamb passant reguardant, staff and cross argent with the banner of St Andrew proper

Crest: A mural crown or

Supporters: On either side a swan wings elevated sable, beaked and legged gules, and gorged round the neck with a mural crown or

Motto: Floreat ("Flourish")

 [39][40]
City of Hobart 1953

Escutcheon: Azure an estoile or on a chief argent a lion passant gules.

Crest: On a wreath argent and azure a three masted sailing ship (representing the Flying Childers) in full sail or, mantled azure doubled or.

Supporters: On the dexter side an emu and on the sinister side a kangaroo both reguardant and each gorged with a chaplet of apples leaved all proper.

Motto: Sic Fortis Hobartia Crevit ("Thus in strength did Hobart grow")

 [41]
City of Darwin 1959

Escutcheon: Gules, on a fess per pale azure and argent between in chief a castle also argent, the portcullis raised sable, and in base a sun irradiated or within an annulet likewise argent, a wooden aeroplane propeller of early pattern erect proper, winged argent, and on water barry wavy proper a sailing ship of two masts in full sail also proper.

Crest: Out of a mural crown proper a mariner's compass gules, the rose or, the needle pointing to the north also gules.

Supporters: On the dexter side an Australian Aborigine with tribal markings proper holding in the exterior hand a native shield and supporting by the interior hand a spear point upwards also proper, and on the sinister side a British settler supporting with the exterior hand a pick and shovel likewise proper.

Compartment: A mount vert.

Motto: Progrediamur ("Let us go forward")

 [42][43]
City of Launceston 1957 College of Arms Escutcheon: Or on a pall reversed azure a bezant in centre point and an ingot of tin proper on each of the lower limbs on a chief indented vert three waratah flowers stalked and leaved also proper.

Crest: On a wreath of the colours a branch of gum tree leaved proper thereon a yellow wattlebird holding in the beak a sprig of the same also proper.

Supporters: Two Tasmanian tigers proper gorged and chained azure.

Motto: Progress with Prudence

 [44][45]
City of Wagga Wagga 1965 College of Arms Escutcheon: Vert on a fess between in chief eight stalks of wheat each four in the form of the letter W and in base a merino ram's head caboshed all or a bar wavy azure.

Crest: Out of a mural crown in front of a caduceus or winged sable eight leaves of the river red gum tree (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) conjoined and in the form of two letters W proper. Mantled vert doubled or.

Supporters: On either side a crow wings addorsed proper gorged with a collar dancetty or and perched on a forked twig the whole upon a compartment of grass divided by water barry wavy argent and azure.

Motto: Forward in Faith

 [46]

Personal arms

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Corporate/Institutional arms

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Badges

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Heraldry Society

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The Australian Heraldry Society was founded in Melbourne in 1992, originally as Heraldry Australia before changing its name in 2008. The society has its roots in the Australian branch of The Heraldry Society of England, which was established in Melbourne in 1973.

The object of the society is "to promote the advancement of education in the science, art, history, practice and development of heraldry and allied subjects and the encouragement of their study and practice in Australia". They produce a bi-monthly newsletter, called The Red Escutcheon, and a triannual journal, called Heraldry in Australia.[51]

References

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  1. ↑ "The College of Arms". College of Arms. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Grant - 1992 - Frederic John Billing". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Insignia Ordinance - Order of Australia - As made". Federal Registrar of Legislation. section 16.
  4. 1 2 "Australian Heraldic Authority". The Australian Heraldry Society Incorporated. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  5. ↑ Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister (7 February 2018). "QUESTIONS IN WRITING - College of Arms (Question No. 806)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Commonwealth of Australia: House of Representatives.
  6. ↑ "Your Own Coat of Arms". The Australian Heraldry Society Incorporated. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 "Commonwealth Coat of Arms". www.pmc.gov.au. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "Australia's Coat of Arms". www.aph.gov.au. Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "WARRANT GRANTING ARMORIAL ENSIGNS AND SUPPORTERS TO THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA". Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. No. 39. Trove. 8 August 1908. p. 1181. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "AUSTRALIA'S COAT OF ARMS. - GRANT UNDER MIS MAJESTY'S WARRANT". The West Australian. Trove. 19 June 1908. p. 2. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "AUSTRALIA'S COAT OF ARMS". The Daily Telegraph. Trove. 27 July 1908. p. 8. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Royal Warrant". www.pmc.gov.au. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 19 September 1912. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "NSW State Arms". www.nsw.gov.au. New South Wales Government. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 004 The State of New South Wales". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 005 The State of Victoria". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Symbols". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Parliament of Victoria. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 003 The State of Queensland". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 012 The State of South Australia". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  19. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 009 The State of Western Australia". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 006 The State of Tasmania". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "Flags and emblems of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)". www.act.gov.au. ACT Government. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 007 The Australian Capital Territory". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "10002. Armorial Bearings of the City of Canberra" (PDF). www.act.gov.au. ACT Heritage Council. 10 April 1996. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  24. ↑ Kingman-Sugars, Geoff (2013). "The Arms of Canberra" (PDF). The Australian Heraldry Society Members Circular | Centenary of Canberra Issue (159): 11–13. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 010 The Northern Territory". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "AHR Volume 003 Registration 011 Norfolk Island". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2026.
  27. 1 2 "Symbols of the city". www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. City of Sydney. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  28. 1 2 "The Coat of Arms of the City of Sydney" (PDF). www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. City of Sydney. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 August 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Letters Patent - For the Grant of City Arms, Municipal Council of Sydney, 1908". archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. City of Sydney. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "Letters Patent - For the Grant of Supporters, Municipal Council of Sydney, 1908". archives.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. City of Sydney. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Fox-Davies, Arthur (1915). The Book of Public Arms : A Complete Encyclopædia of all Royal, Territorial, Municipal, Corporate, Official, and Impersonal Arms. London ; Edinburgh: T.C. & E.C. Jack. p. 766. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  32. ↑ "Coat of arms - City of Melbourne". www.melbourne.vic.gov.au. City of Melbourne. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  33. ↑ "Letters Patent for Armorial Bearings of the Corporation of the City of Melbourne". City Collection. City of Melbourne. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Armorial Bearings of the Corporation of the City of Melbourne". City Collection. City of Melbourne. 15 September 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  35. ↑ "Symbols used by Council". www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  36. ↑ "Armorial Bearings Of The City Of Brisbane - Coat Of Arms - 1982". brisbane.recollectcms.com. Brisbane City Archives. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  37. ↑ "History". www.adelaidecitycouncil.com. Adelaide City Council. 31 July 2011. Archived from the original on 31 July 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  38. ↑ "Arms (crest) of Adelaide". www.heraldry-wiki.com. Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  39. ↑ "History of the Council". perth.wa.gov.au. City of Perth. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  40. ↑ "Arms (crest) of Perth (Australia)". www.heraldry-wiki.com. Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  41. ↑ "Hobart Coat of Arms". www.hobartcity.com.au. City of Hobart. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  42. ↑ "Council overview". www.darwin.nt.gov.au. Darwin City Council. 3 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  43. ↑ "Arms (crest) of Darwin". www.heraldry-wiki.com. Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Coat of Arms". www.launceston.tas.gov.au. Launceston City Council. 22 July 2008. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  45. ↑ "LAUNCESTON'S COAT OF ARMS:: WHAT IT REPRESENTS". trove.nla.gov.au. The Examiner. 25 August 1936. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  46. ↑ "Our History". wagga.nsw.gov.au. Wagga Wagga City Council. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  47. ↑ "Monash University Calendar 1964" (PDF). Monash University. 3 January 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  48. ↑ "Report to Shareholders 1990" (PDF). ANZ Bank. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  49. ↑ "70 years since the formation of the "modern ANZ"". ANZ Bank. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  50. ↑ "A BANK'S NEW EMBLEM". trove.nla.gov.au. The West Australian. 27 July 1931. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  51. ↑ "About Us". www.heraldryaustralia.org. The Australian Heraldry Society. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
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