Queensland flag

Part of the State flag, emblems and icons topic

In short

Learn the history of our state flag and its symbolism, and the correct flag-flying protocols.

History

The state flag was first introduced in 1876 when Queensland was a self-governing British colony with its own navy.

In 1865, the Admiralty in London informed the Governor of Queensland that the colony's vessels of war should fly the Blue Ensign (British flag), with the colony's badge on the stern, and a blue pennant at the masthead. Other vessels in the colony's service were to fly the same flag, but not the pennant.

At that time, Queensland did not have a state badge. In 1875, the Governor received drawings of the badges of several colonies from London, which the Admiralty proposed to include in the Admiralty Flag Book. The Governor was asked to certify that the badge shown for the colony of Queensland was correct.

The initial badge was composed of a representation of Queen Victoria's head, facing right, on a blue background and encircled by a white band, with the word Queensland at the top.  The Queensland Government believed it would be too difficult to correctly reproduce the head of the Queen on a flag, so an alternative design, a Royal Crown superimposed on a Maltese Cross, was then submitted to London.

In 1876, the Governor was advised the Admiralty had approved of the design and it was then that the present flag was established.

How to correctly fly the flag

Read Flying the flag - The State of Queensland flag (PDF, 2.84 MB) for instructions on:

• the general use and correct display of the flag
• special occasions on which the flag should be flown
• flying the flag at half-mast.

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