Using Air Force emblems

Air Force emblems may be used, with approval, for a range of commemorative and ceremonial purposes. Limited commercial use may also be approved where the use aligns with Defence values and supports the Air Force mission. 

Approval should never assumed for any purpose. Misuse and use without approval undermines legal protections, risks damaging Air Force reputation, and may cause offence to current and former serving members. 

Applying for permission to use Air Force emblems 

Applications must: 

  • be submitted via email using the application form
  • include full details of the requesting individual or entity 
  • clearly articulate why the use is necessary
  • include design proofs (where available), or a description or illustration demonstrating the requested use 
  • clearly display any associated text or imagery. 

Applications are: 

  • Assessed case-by-case and are assessed based on appropriateness, alignment with Defence values, and potential reputational impact 
  • processed within four weeks, depending on complexity
  • not approved as blanket or open-ended permissions, and may have conditions attached to any approval. 

Where a proposed use includes other service badges, a rrequest for use should also be directed to the relevant service Brand Manager:

Australian Army Brand Manager: army.brandmanager@defence.gov.au

Recognition and Commemoration  

Service in Air Force is recognised using the Royal Australian Air Force badge. Families and next of kin may choose to use the badge pattern in use at the time that their family member discharged from service, or the current badge. 

To use the Air Force Badge for funeral or memorial purposes, please provide: 

  • Full name at time of service and rank at discharge (if known) 
  • Service number (if known)
  • Dates of service 
  • Date of death. 

You may select: 

  • The badge pattern in use at the time of discharge from service 
  • The current badge.

Requests should be sent to airforce.brandmanager@defence.gov.au.

Prohibited Uses 

Air Force emblems must not be: 

  • modified, cropped or altered 
  • overlaid with text or imagery 
  • used as a background or watermark 
  • incorporated into another logo 
  • used in combination with other logos (lock-ups) 
  • associated with or suggestive of the consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs or gambling. 

Alternatives to using Air Force emblems 

For commemorative or ceremonial purposes, consider using: 

  • a poppy 
  • a sprig of rosemary 
  • phrases such as “Lest we forget” or “We will remember them” 
  • aircraft silhouettes or graphics 
  • Air Force colours (blue, white and red). 

Misuse

Air Force emblems are often misused, both deliberately and inadvertently. 

Misuse of Air Force emblems can damage the integrity of the Air Force identity, and may diminish its reputation and the trust it holds with the Australian people. It may also be offensive to current and ex-serving members.

Misuse includes: 

  • use without permission
  • use that implies affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement 
  • use in connection with unauthorised products or services 
  • unlicensed commercial exploitation of the intellectual property of the Commonwealth of Australia
  • alteration or modification of an emblem
  • any use that misrepresents Air Force
  • use of emblems in association with products, activities or brands that are not aligned with Air Force values.

Reporting misuse

Suspected misuse should be reported to airforce.brandmanager@defence.gov.au 

Please include the following information: 

  • description of the item or use 
  • location (include links if available) 
  • manufacturer or source (if known) 
  • photos or screenshots of the suspected misuse.

Contact

airforce.brandmanager@defence.gov.au