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FLYING THE FLAG

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Honoured Australian - Feature

Australian National Anthem

Symbolism

The Australian National Anthem, proclaimed in 1984, identifies Australia at home and overseas. It unites the nation and is a public expression of joy and pride in being Australian.

The Australian National Anthem is used at important public ceremonies, sporting and community events.

History

In 1973 a competition was held for a distinctively Australian national anthem.

The Australian National Anthem Quest was run in two stages by the Australia Council for the Arts.

The first stage for lyrics attracted more than 1400 entries. The second stage for music received 1200 entries.

A prize of $5,000 was offered for each stage.

The judges decided the entries did not meet the high standards of Australia’s traditional songs ‘Advance Australia Fair’, ‘Waltzing Matilda’ and ‘Song of Australia’.

The Australia Council for the Arts recommended the final choice for the national anthem should be made from these three songs.

The Bureau of Statistics ran a national poll of 60 000 people. ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was favoured by 51.4 per cent of the people followed by ‘Waltzing Matilda’ (19.6 per cent).

In 1974 ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was adopted as the Australian National Anthem; however in 1976 ‘God Save The Queen’ was reinstated.

In 1977 the Australian Electoral Office conducted a poll for the national anthem tune in conjunction with a referendum. The tune ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was the preferred option.

In 1981 the National Australia Day Council recommended that the Australian National Anthem consist of two verses of ‘Advance Australia Fair ‘with some modification.

Proclamation

In 1984 the Australian National Anthem, consisting of the tune of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and the verses as drafted by the National Australia Day Council, was proclaimed.

Using the Australian National Anthem

All Australians are encouraged to sing the Australian National Anthem. As an important national symbol it should be treated with respect and dignity. There are protocols for use of the Australian National Anthem.

The Commonwealth owns copyright in the words of the Australian National Anthem as proclaimed. It also holds copyright to particular arrangements of music of the Australian National Anthem, which are available for download on this section of the site. As copyright owner the Commonwealth makes the Australian National Anthem freely available for use within the community for non-commercial purposes.

While permission is not required to use, perform or record the Australian National Anthem for non-commercial purposes, there is a requirement to seek permission for commercial use of the anthem. The words and music are in the public domain.

Lyrics and tune

Australian National Anthem DVD

Australian National Anthem DVD

The words of the Australian National Anthem are available in the download section of this page below.

The music scores for orchestra, brass band, choir and piano for the Australian National Anthem are available in the download section of this page below.

An audio file of the Australian National Anthem is available in the download section of this page below.

A new audio-visual performance on DVD and an audio CD of the anthem are now available.

Protocols

The Australian National Anthem is an important national symbol of Australia and should be used with respect and dignity. These protocols are to assist you when singing or using the Australian National Anthem.

On all official and ceremonial occasions, the Australian National Anthem is used.  The Royal Anthem, ‘God Save The Queen’, is used in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen or a member of the Royal Family.

When The Queen is in Australia the Royal Anthem is played at the beginning of an official engagement and the Australian National Anthem is played at the end.  On some occasions it may be appropriate to play both anthems at the beginning of the engagement.

When the Australian National Anthem is played with the anthem of another nation the practice is to play the anthem of the visiting nation first.

When the Australian National Anthem is played at a ceremony or public event it is customary to stand and be silent.

Traditionally, only the first verse of the Australian National Anthem is used but both verses can be used.

The Australian National Anthem should not be modified and alternative words should not be used. The two authorised verses of the Australian National Anthem were proclaimed in 1984.

Commercial use

The Commonwealth owns copyright in the words of the Australian National Anthem as proclaimed. As copyright owner, the Commonwealth has certain exclusive rights in respect of the Australian National Anthem including the right to authorise third parties to reproduce, perform or communicate the Australian National Anthem to the public.

In order to promote appropriate performance and use of the Australian National Anthem, the Commonwealth allows non-commercial use by the public without case-by-case permissions.

However, permission must be obtained in respect of use of the Australian National Anthem for commercial purposes, including advertising. Any decision to grant permission to use the Australian National Anthem for commercial purposes will be made by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in its absolute discretion and may be subject to conditions including but not limited to the following:

  • The tune or the words of the Australian National Anthem may not be modified, parodied or demeaned.
  • Alternative words cannot be substituted for the words of the Australian National Anthem.
  • The Australian National Anthem may be used in full or in part.
  • The tune may be reproduced without the words.
  • The words may be reproduced without the accompanying music.

The Australian National Anthem is a national symbol of Australia and should be used with respect and dignity.

Proposals to use the Australian National Anthem for commercial purposes should be submitted for permission to:

The Assistant Secretary
Awards and Culture
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Australia

Tel (02) 6271 5601
Fax (02) 6271 5662
Email: See the Contact Us section of this website

Vice-Regal salute

The Vice-Regal salute to be used in the presence of the Governor-General is the first four bars and last four bars of the Australian National Anthem.

Fact sheet

This information is also available as a print fact sheet.

Files for download

Anthem DVD and CD

Australians can sing along to a vibrant new orchestral arrangement of the Australian National Anthem with the release of a new audio-visual presentation in early 2007.

Arranged by composer Christopher Gordon, the new production features fine performances by the Australian Youth Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Choir and the soloist, Corporal Simone Dew, under the inspired baton of musical director and chorusmaster Brett Weymark. There is also a band version performed by the Royal Australian Air Force Band.

This new multipurpose DVD offers a variety of formats to suit every need, including four soundtrack versions—orchestral, choir, soloist or military band. Either one or two verses can be played, with or without the words of the anthem displayed on the screen. Each version also comes with the choice of a visual presentation of the actual performance or visual images of Australia.

An audio CD is also available, featuring the same soundtrack along with performances by Julie Anthony and the Royal Military College Duntroon Band.

Both the DVD and CD will be available from January 2007 free of charge through the Constituents Request Programme by contacting the electorate office of your Senator or Member of the House of Representatives.

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Last Updated: 4 May, 2007