National Colours

History of the National Colours

Green and gold were proclaimed Australia’s national colours by the Governor-General on 19 April 1984. Prior to the proclamation Australia had no official colours. Three colour combinations traditionally had claim to be Australia’s national colours: red, white and blue; blue and gold; and green and gold.

The colours red, white and blue were featured in the first Coat of Arms of the Commonwealth in 1908 and are the colours of the Australian national flag.

The colours blue and gold have heraldic significance as they are the colours of the crest in the 1912 (present) Commonwealth Coat of Arms.

The colours green and gold gained wide popularity and acceptance as the traditional national colours in Australian and international sporting events since before Federation and have been associated with many great sporting achievements since.

Information courtesy of Commonwealth Government