Using Air Force Emblems

Using Air Force emblems

The Royal Australian Air Force has many iconic and recognisable branding emblems including the Royal Australian Air Force Badge*, Roundel, Ensign, Squadron and unit badges, and the Air Force logo. These emblems represent Air Force’s people, values, history, and future. Misuse of Air Force brand elements can lessen their significance and be offensive to current and ex-serving members. 

Use and Application

All Air Force branding elements are protected by the Defence Act 1903 (Commonwealth), The Royal Australian Air Force Ensign is also protected under the Flags Act 1953 (Commonwealth), while the Air Force Badge, Air Force Roundel and Air Force Logo are registered trade marks under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Commonwealth). 

The Minister for Defence has legal responsibility for the guardianship of Defence emblems and flags under section 83 of the Defence Act 1903 (Commonwealth). 

Using an Air Force emblem without permission from the Minister for Defence is a breach of legislation.

Applications for permission to use an Air Force emblem should be made using the Request to use ADF and Service emblems application form.

Applications for commemorative or ceremonial purposes should consider inclusion of other Service emblems to appropriately recognise the contribution of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army or the Australian Defence Force.

Information on using the Australian Defence Force, Royal Australian Navy or Australian Army emblems can be found by emailing the following contacts:

Applications to use Air Force emblems are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and on individual merit. Applications seeking blanket or continuous approvals are not supported. Assessment can take up to four weeks to complete. 

Misuse

Air Force does not allow its emblems to be:

  • modified, cropped or altered. 
  • used in part or overlaid with imagery or text.
  • used as a watermark (reduced opacity) or background image.
  • used as a part of a new logo.
  • Use in a lock-up with any other logo.
  • Associated with or suggestive of the consumption of alcohol, illicit drugs or any form of gambling. 

Intentional or not, misuse of Air Force emblems is common. Misuse can be:

  • reproducing an emblem without permission.
  • a design that incorporates elements of, or stylises, an emblem. 
  • using an emblem in association with products, activities or brands that are not aligned with Air Force values.

Any suspected misuse of Air Force emblems should be reported to the Air Force Brand Manager at airforce.brandmanager@defence.gov.au 

Alternative iconology to symbolise Air Force

The following can be considered as an alternative to using an Air Force emblem.

For commemorative or ceremonial purposes:

  • a poppy 
  • rosemary 
  • the words ‘lest we forget’ or ‘we will remember them’
  • Aircraft outlines or graphic representations 
  • Air Force Colours
  • Topography or flight lines

For other purposes:

These alternative icons and words are not protected by legislation and do not require permission from the Minister for Defence to use.

*According to the UK College of Arms, it is envisaged that the form of the Crown seen in King Charles III’s new cypher will be adopted as the form used in representations of the Royal Arms and in Military and Crown Badges in the new reign. It is the intention that the new cypher and new rendering of the Crown will be introduced gradually, and generally only when equipment or uniforms which bear them needs to be replaced. This will be similar to what happened in the 1950s and 1960s as Queen Elizabeth II's cypher came to replace that of King George VI.

There will be a new version of the Air Force Badge in due course.