The Coat of Arms was first granted by King Edward VII by Royal Warrant on 7 May 1908. Amendments incorporating specific references to the States were approved, on the recommendation of the Commonwealth Government, by King George V by Royal Warrant on 19 September 1912.

The Coat of Arms depicts a shield of six parts with representations of the badges of the six States, with a kangaroo and emu, resting on ornamental supports, on either side of the shield. This is set over small branches of flowering wattle, beneath which is the word 'Australia'. Above the shield is the crest, with the seven-pointed gold star of Federation resting on a blue and gold wreath.