Australian heraldry

Australian heraldry is the style and tradition of using armorial achievements, sometimes known as coats of arms, and other heraldic bearings and insignia in Australia. It largely follows the Gallo-British tradition of heraldry also followed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada and New Zealand.

Heraldic authority
Australia does not have its own heraldic authority which grants or records arms, though the College of Arms in London claims to be "the official heraldic authority for... Australia". Its authority is disputed by the Australian Heraldry Society.

The Australian Heraldry Society argues that the heraldic authority for Australia is vested in the King of Australia, who can delegate that authority to whomever they choose. In response to questions submitted by the Society, on 7 February 2018 prime minister Malcolm Turnbull stated:

"The practice of the College of Arms in England granting armorial bearings to Australians is well established as one way Australians can obtain heraldic insignia if they wish to do so.

There is nothing preventing any person or organisation from commissioning a local artist, graphics studio or heraldry specialist to design and produce a coat of arms or identifying symbol. Those arms would have the same standing and authority in Australia as arms prepared by the College of Arms in England."

Grants of heraldic arms to Australian residents or institutions may be made, depending on their eligibility, by the English College of Arms, Scottish Court of the Lord Lyon, Chief Herald of Ireland, Chief Herald of Canada, State Herald of South Africa or the various authorities in Spain, Belgium, Russia or other places.

Coats of arms
The heraldry of Australia has added indigenous Australian animals to the existing heraldic bestiary, along with native plants and occasionally traditional motifs of Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

Heraldry Society
The Australian Heraldry Society was founded in Melbourne in 1992, originally as Heraldry Australia before changing its name in 2008. The society has its roots in the Australian branch of The Heraldry Society of England, which was established in Melbourne in 1973.

The object of the society is "to promote the advancement of education in the science, art, history, practice and development of heraldry and allied subjects and the encouragement of their study and practice in Australia". They produce a bi-monthly newsletter, called The Red Escutcheon, and a triannual journal, called Heraldry in Australia.