Coat of arms of Australia

Main components

At the top of the arms sits the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, a symbol commonly understood to represent the states and the territories of Australia. The shield beneath the star is divided into sections that show each state’s emblem. Surrounding the lower portion of the shield is a wreath or spray of golden wattle, the national floral emblem, and a scroll used in many renderings to carry the name "Australia." Shield

State badges

The shield brings together the badges or emblems of the six states of the federation, arranged in distinct compartments. These are:

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Tasmania

The combination of these devices on a single shield is intended to express the unity of the states within the Commonwealth. For more visual detail, see the section on state badges.

Supporters and symbolism

The shield is supported on either side by two well-known Australian mammals: the emu and the kangaroo. Both animals are native to Australia and were chosen as recognisable national symbols. Popular interpretations emphasise their forward-facing stance as a metaphor for progress, though such readings are traditional rather than strictly literal.

History, use and legal status

Early designs for an Australian coat of arms appeared after federation in 1901; the current arrangement was finalised in 1912 to better represent the states. The arms appear on official federal documents, seals, passports, some coins, government buildings and other formal insignia. Official use is regulated by government practice and legislation; unauthorised commercial or misleading uses may be restricted.

Notable facts

While several variants and artistic renderings exist for different contexts, the elements—Commonwealth Star, state-emblem shield, golden wattle and the emu and kangaroo supporters—remain the consistent identifiers of Australia’s national coat of arms.