Australia's national anthem is Advance Australia Fair, adopted on 19 April 1984. In January 2021, the second line of the first verse was changed from "for we are young and free" to "for we are one and free" to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Only the first verse and chorus are used at official ceremonies.
Australia's national anthem is Advance Australia Fair, officially adopted on 19 April 1984. It replaced "God Save the Queen" as the national anthem following a national vote. Understanding the anthem — its words, its history, and the landmark 2021 change — is important knowledge for the Australian Citizenship Test.
The Words of Advance Australia Fair
At official ceremonies and public events, only the first verse and chorus are used. These are the words every citizenship applicant should know:
First Verse:
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We've golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature's gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history's page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
Chorus:
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
The 2021 Lyric Change: "Young and Free" to "One and Free"
On 1 January 2021, Australia changed the second line of the first verse from:
- Old lyric: "For we are young and free"
- New lyric: "For we are one and free"
This change was made to acknowledge that Australia is not a "young" nation — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on this continent for over 65,000 years, making them custodians of the world's oldest continuous culture. The word "one" better reflects Australia's unity as a diverse, multicultural nation.
According to the Department of Home Affairs and "Our Common Bond," recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians is a core part of Australian identity that every new citizen should understand.
History of the Australian National Anthem
The anthem was not always Advance Australia Fair. Here is a brief timeline:
- 1788–1984: "God Save the Queen/King" was used as the national anthem
- 1974: A national competition was held to find a new anthem — Advance Australia Fair was one of the top contenders
- 1977: A national plebiscite was held; Advance Australia Fair received the most votes (43%), ahead of "Waltzing Matilda" (28%) and "God Save the Queen" (19%)
- 1984: The Australian Government officially proclaimed Advance Australia Fair as the national anthem on 19 April 1984
- 2021: The second line was amended to "one and free" to honour First Nations peoples
Who Wrote Advance Australia Fair?
The anthem was written by Peter Dodds McCormick, a Scottish-born Australian. He wrote the song in the 1870s. The original version had multiple verses, but today only the first verse and chorus are used at official events.
When is the Anthem Played?
Advance Australia Fair is played at:
- Australian Citizenship Ceremonies — where new citizens make the pledge
- National sporting events and the Olympic Games
- Australia Day and ANZAC Day commemorations
- Official government and vice-regal ceremonies
- Other significant national occasions
At the citizenship ceremony, new Australians typically sing or listen to the anthem immediately before or after making the Australian Citizenship Pledge.
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Start a Practice TestOther Australian National Symbols
The national anthem sits alongside other important Australian national symbols that may appear in the Australian Citizenship Test:
- Australian National Flag: Three elements — the Union Jack, Southern Cross, and Commonwealth Star
- Commonwealth Coat of Arms: Features a kangaroo and emu (native animals that cannot walk backwards — symbolising forward progress)
- Floral Emblem: Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- National Colours: Green and gold
- National Gemstone: Opal
- National Animal: Red Kangaroo
- National Bird: Emu
According to "Our Common Bond," national symbols represent the shared values and identity of Australians. Knowing them helps you understand what it means to belong to this country.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Australia get its own national anthem?
Australia officially adopted Advance Australia Fair as its national anthem on 19 April 1984, replacing "God Save the Queen."
Why was the anthem changed in 2021?
The second line was changed from "young and free" to "one and free" to acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for over 65,000 years — making "young" historically inaccurate. "One" reflects national unity and diversity.
Do I need to memorise the anthem for the citizenship test?
You should know the anthem's name, author, when it was adopted, and the 2021 lyric change. You will sing or listen to it at your citizenship ceremony, so knowing the first verse and chorus is important.
Is "Waltzing Matilda" Australia's national anthem?
No. "Waltzing Matilda" is Australia's most famous folk song but it has never been the official national anthem. Advance Australia Fair has been the official anthem since 1984.
What does "girt" mean in the anthem?
"Girt" is an old English word meaning "surrounded." The line "Our home is girt by sea" means Australia is surrounded by ocean — a geographical fact that is also a point of national pride.