Flying of flags: NAIDOC Week 2023

NAIDOC Week is held every year in early July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that First Nations Australians make to our country and to our society.

NAIDOC originally stood for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. This year, the theme for NAIDOC Week, which will be celebrated from 2 to 9 July 2023 inclusive, is ‘For Our Elders’.

Flying the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags throughout NAIDOC Week confirms our national respect for First Nations Australians. From Sunday 2 July to Sunday 9 July 2023, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be flown on additional flagpoles, where available, next to or near the Australian National Flag, on Western Australian government buildings and establishments. Other organisations are encouraged to follow this protocol.

If there is only 1 flagpole available at a flag station, the Australian Aboriginal Flag or the Torres Strait Islander Flag should not replace the Australian National Flag. If 2 flagpoles are available, it is at the discretion of the authority concerned to determine which of the 2 flags is flown with the Australian National Flag. The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag have equal status and may be flown in any order after the Australian National Flag. On this occasion, in accordance with flag protocol, the Australian Aboriginal Flag or the Torres Strait Islander Flag may follow the Australian National Flag ahead of state and territory flags and other ensigns and pennants.

Should it be the practice to fly other flags at the flag station, please refer to the order of precedence for flying the Australian National Flag along with other flags, which can be found in the Australian Flags booklet.