What is the Australian coat of arms?
The Australian coat of arms is the official emblem of the Commonwealth of Australia. It features a shield with the badges of the six states, held up by a kangaroo and an emu, with a gold Commonwealth Star above and wattle behind.
The current coat of arms was granted by King George V in 1912. It replaced an earlier version from 1908.
The shield shows the badges of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, surrounded by an ermine border representing federation.
The kangaroo and emu
The kangaroo and emu are native Australian animals, chosen as symbols of the nation. It is often said that they were chosen because neither animal can easily walk backwards, symbolizing a nation moving forward, though this is a popular story rather than an official explanation.
The coat of arms appears on government documents, buildings, passports and the old sixpence coin. It is also used by the High Court and Parliament.
The scroll at the bottom of the coat of arms simply reads Australia. The coat of arms is protected, and its use is restricted to government purposes.