Quick answer
The Australian White Ensign is the Royal Australian Navy’s ensign. It has a white field, a Union Flag in the upper hoist canton and six blue stars arranged as on the Australian National Flag. Royal Australian Navy design description.
It was adopted on 1 March 1967. Australian Government flag timeline.
| Feature | Description | Evidence qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Field | White | Stated in the Navy’s design description. |
| Canton | Union Flag in the upper corner beside the hoist | Stated in the Navy’s design description; no numerical canton dimensions supplied here. |
| Stars | Six blue stars positioned as on the Australian flag | Official descriptive arrangement; not a dimensioned construction drawing. |
| Proportions | Not verified in the reviewed official text | No ratio inferred from website artwork. |
| Display aboard vessels | Usually at the stern, with the Australian National Flag at the bow | PM&C describes usual practice, rather than an unconditional rule for every situation. |
Construction and colour evidence
The Navy’s published description establishes the field, canton and star arrangement. It does not supply a numerical ratio, star coordinates, manufacturing tolerances or colour-system values in the text reviewed.
This record therefore provides an official descriptive specification, not a production master. Common manufacturing dimensions have not been independently established here. No Pantone, RGB, HEX or CMYK values are asserted: screen colours would be approximations unless supported by a separately verified standard. Any diagram reconstructed from this description would be an editorial reconstruction, not certified official artwork.
Adoption and historical context
The Royal Australian Navy previously used the British Royal Navy’s white ensign from 1911. PM&C’s Australian Flags booklet.
In January 1966, the Naval Board recommended the distinctive Australian design. Queen Elizabeth II formally approved it on 7 November 1966, and Prime Minister Harold Holt announced it on 23 December 1966. Boonaroo became the first vessel commissioned under the Australian White Ensign on 1 March 1967. Royal Australian Navy history.
The government’s timeline records adoption on 1 March 1967 and identifies Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No 18. This record cites that timeline; the Gazette instrument itself was not inspected. PM&C timeline.
Related flags
Compare the Flag of Australia, the Australian Red Ensign and the White Ensign of the United Kingdom.