The Aborigines of Australia have occupied the continent for more than 40,000 years, and their way of life existed relatively unchanged until the 18th century: When Australia became a British colony in 1788, the arrival of Europeans resulted in essentially the same conditions caused by colonization in other parts of the world; subjugation and persecution of the native population, who ended up dying in great numbers from imported diseases.

The status of Aborigines as second-class citizens continued well into the 20th century, and in some ways has still not disappeared. This flag made its debut in Australia in 1971 and was officially declared a national flag in 1995. The black band represents the Aboriginal people themselves; the red band is symbolic of the landscape, which the Aborigines have had a special relationship with for so many millennia; and the yellow circle is an emblem of the sun, signifying its life giving power and protection.