Flags and Patriotic Ceremonies

Flying flags

Australian National Flag

The Australian Government presents an Australian National Flag to every new government school upon opening. It is generally expected that a flag will last around 7 years. If a new flag is required, schools can request a replacement from either the federal member of parliament for their electoral division or a senator from the state of Victoria.

It is expected that schools fly the Australian National Flag as the default flag.

Schools must fly the Australian National Flag on the following days if they are open:

• January 1 – commemorating the anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia
• January 26 – Australia Day
• March – the second Monday: Labour Day
• April 25 – Anzac Day, with flags flown at:
  • half-mast until noon
  • the masthead until the close of business
• June – second Monday of the month: observing the anniversary of the Queen’s birthday
• September 3 – National Flag Day:
  • commemorating the first official flying of Australian flags at the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne on 3 September 1901
• November 11 – Remembrance Day with flags flown at:
  • the masthead from 8 am to 10:30 am
  • half-mast from 10:30 am to 11:02 am
  • the masthead from 11:02 am to the close of business.

Schools may also raise the Australian National Flag:

• at the beginning of each school day, flying the flag between 8 am and the close of business, other than on special occasions
• when providing an opportunity for students to reflect on the current flag, its history and future.

Schools must:

• give precedence to the Australian National Flag over all other flags
• not fly 2 flags on one pole
• fly the Australian National Flag on the flagpole to the left of any other flags when a person is facing the building.

Flying other flags

Where Victorian government schools have multiple flagpoles, school principals may choose to display other flags alongside the Australian National flag, ensuring the flags are consistent with the department's values, and in line with the Australian National Flag Protocols set by the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Schools are encouraged to fly the Victorian State Flag, Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flag if they have additional flag poles. The order of precedence is:

• Australian National Flag
• Victorian Flag
• Aboriginal Flag
• Torres Strait Islander Flag.

Additional flags can be displayed on an internal flagpole within a school building.

Examples of commemorative or celebratory events:

• 21 March – Harmony Day to celebrate Australia's cultural diversity and support inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone
• May 27 to June 3 – National Reconciliation Week to recognise:
  • 27 May as the anniversary of the 1967 referendum which successfully removed clauses from the Constitution that discriminated against Indigenous Australians
  • 3 June as Eddie Mabo Day, the anniversary of the High Court decision in the Eddie Mabo land rights case of 1992 recognised by Torres Strait Islanders
• July, a nominated week – NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) to celebrate and promote greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and culture
• July 1 – 'Coming of the Light' celebration day for Torres Strait Islanders.

If the school has one flagpole the Australian National Flag is to be flown, as it takes precedence over all flags.

Commemorative or celebratory flags can be displayed or flown on additional flag poles, however the Australian National Flag, Victorian State Flag or Aboriginal Flag should not be displaced to fly these flags.

Information about flying the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (as well as the Australian National Flag and other Australian flags) is available on the Australian Government website of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet at Australian flags.