Why is the flag at half-staff today

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Reviewed 11 July 2022

Flags are flown at the half-mast position as a sign of mourning.

The flag is brought to the half-mast position by first raising it to the masthead and immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The flag should be raised again to the top before being lowered for the day.

The position of the flag when flying at half-mast will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole.

It must be lowered to a position obviously half-mast so it does not appear to have accidentally fallen away from the masthead.

Half-masting would normally be when the top of the flag is one-third of the distance down from the top.

For the half-masting of flags on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day,  refer to special occasions on which flags should be flown.

A flag should never be flown at half-mast at night, whether or not the flag is illuminated.

Colour references for the NSW flag are:

Red: Pantone 485
Blue: Pantone 2758
Gold: Pantone 123

Flying flags on or in front of:

1. A building with one flagpole with cross arms

(i) The Australian national flag is flown from the halyard on the left of the observer facing the building.

The NSW state flag is flown from the halyard on the right of the observer facing the building.

or

(ii) The Australian national flag is flown from the masthead.

The NSW state flag is flown from the halyard on the left of the observer facing the building.

A house flag or club pennant is flown from the halyard on the right of the observer.

2. A building with 2 flagpoles of equal height

The Australian national flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

The NSW state flag is flown on the flagpole on the observer’s right.

3. A building with 3 flagpoles of equal height

When flying another national flag:

(i) The Australian national flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

Other national flags are flown on the centre flagpole.

The NSW state flag is flown on the flagpole to the observer’s right.

When flying a house flag or club pennant

(ii) The Australian national flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

The NSW state flag is flown on the centre flagpole.

A house flag or club pennant is flown on the flagpole on the observer’s right.

4. A building with 3 flagpoles, when the centre pole is higher than the other 2

The Australian national flag should be flown from the centre pole.

The NSW state flag is flown on the flagpole on the left of the observer facing the building.

A house flag or club pennant is flown on the flagpole on the observer’s right.

If only the Australian national flag and the NSW state flag are available, they should be flown on the 2 outside poles (omitting the higher centre pole).

If 2 national flags are to be flown, they should be flown on the 2 outside poles (omitting the higher centre pole). No national flag should be flown higher than another.

The top left quarter of the flag is to be placed at the top on the observer’s left.

The Australian national flag should be on the left of the observer facing the flags. The staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

The Australian national flag should be carried at each end of the line.

The NSW state flag is flown to the right of the Australian national flag (as seen by a viewer facing the flag bearers).

The Australian national flag is carried on the right facing the direction of movement.

The NSW state flag is carried on the left of the national flag.

In a semi-circle of flags, the Australian national flag should be in the centre, with the NSW state flag positioned on the right.

In an enclosed circle of flags, the Australian national flag should be flown on the flagpole immediately opposite the main entrance to the building or arena, with the NSW state flag positioned on the right.