The flag is similar to that of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence, first utilised in 1956[1] and is a common colour-scheme in British-aligned territories, used by fellow Commonwealth members such as Cyprus, India, Kenya and Nigeria.

This emblem was first adopted in 1958, as an adaptation of the UK counterpart (the Unified Commanders-in-Chief), with a wedge tailed eagle replacing the generic one.

This was originally proposed in 1958 by General Sir John Wilton, who wished for a more distinctively Australian symbol, and was opposed by some who wished to continue the tradition of expressing the services loyalty to the Crown.

[2] This emblem was also in corporate settings and on the Defence Long Service Medal.

[3] In 2000, the joint services flag was gazetted as the Australian Defence Force Ensign.