When do Australians sing the anthem?

Australians sing the national anthem on national days, at official ceremonies, at major sporting events, at the opening of Parliament, at schools, and at citizenship ceremonies where new citizens recite the Australian Citizenship Pledge for the first time. The anthem, Advance Australia Fair, is sung in English, and most occasions feature the first verse only.

The most prominent national occasions are Australia Day on 26 January, ANZAC Day on 25 April, and Remembrance Day on 11 November, when the anthem is performed at dawn services, war memorials, and national commemorations. The anthem is also sung at the opening of each new session of the federal Parliament and at state and territory parliaments, and at the swearing-in of governors-general and governors.

In sport, the anthem is sung before international matches involving Australian national teams, including the Wallabies in rugby union, the Socceroos and Matildas in football, the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos in hockey, and the Australian cricket teams. It is also performed at gold medal ceremonies at the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, when an Australian athlete or team has won. The anthem is sometimes preceded by the New Zealand national anthem when the two countries play each other in trans-Tasman fixtures.

Schools across Australia sing the anthem at weekly assemblies and on national days, and many workplaces play it at the start of major events. The most personal occasion for hearing the anthem is the citizenship ceremony, where the words of the anthem follow the pledge and serve as the first official act of allegiance for the new citizen. Standing respectfully, removing hats, and refraining from talking are the basic courtesies expected when the anthem is sung.