There are different types and variants of Australian flags available based on the rich historical and cultural background of Australia. Before the present national flag of Australia was adopted by the government, a number of designs and variations were brought forward as probable national flags. Some of these flags still remain important relics and original designs accepted by the locals such as the National Colonial Flag, the Australian Federation Flag, the Eureka Flag, the Anti-transportation League Flag and the Murray River Flag. Out of all these, the Anti-Transportation League Flag is the only one similar to the present National Flag with differences being the exemption of the Commonwealth Star and the five stars making up the Southern Cross depicted coming in gold with eight points each.

The present national flag of Australia was chosen from a total of 32,823 entries in a competition held in April 1901. Two identical designs were required to be submitted by each competitor; a Red Ensign to be used mainly by the merchant service and the general public, and a Blue Ensign for official and naval use. Both ensigns are being used till date but there was confusion as to their usage until the Flag Act of 1953 defined the Blue Ensign as the national flag and the Red Ensign as the flag of the Australian mercantile marine. The competition winning design is the same as the current national flag except with the addition of the Commonwealth Star to the current design.

The Governor-General of Australia has the right to proclaim flags other than the national flag and the Red Ensign as flags or ensigns of Australia as provided under Section 5 of the Flags Act of 1953. This has prompted the design of other officially accepted flags in Australia which include; the Royal Australian Navy Ensign, The Royal Australian Air Force Ensign, the Aboriginal Flag, the Torres Strait Islander Flag and the Australian Defense Force Ensign. This has provided a wide range of Australian flags for sale other than the two major variants of the national flag, all of which are used to distinguish certain sections of the Australian armed forces and aspects of its rich cultural heritage.

The Australian Aboriginal Flag with three major colors; black, red and gold is widely regarded as the flag for the locals and was seen as a gesture of reconciliation to the Australian people. It is simplified with two major color divisions and a gold circle in the middle. The Australian Sporting Flag is also known as a flag used for sporting activities in the Federation and is made up of two colors; green and gold. The Southern Cross is depicted on the Canton end while the national animal of Australia, the kangaroo completes the fly end.