Protecting the Royal Australian Navy Badge
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has a range of recognisable emblems that are protected by legislation. Permission to use the RAN Badge is managed by the Navy Brand Manager to ensure Navy’s brand and reputation are maintained.
Why we protect the RAN Badge
The RAN Badge represents Navy’s history, tradition, values and people, both past and present. To view the RAN Badge history, please visit the Official Badge Design and History page.
The RAN Badge is protected by Section 83 of the Defence Act 1903 (Cwlth). The RAN Badge is a registered trade mark under the Trade Marks Act 1995 (Cwlth).
Using the RAN Badge
The most common circumstances where the public may use the RAN Badge are for commemorative or ceremonial purposes.
If you wish to use the RAN Badge, approval must be granted by the Defence Minister's Delegate prior to use. Each application to use an RAN Badge is assessed on a case-by-case basis. No blanket or continuous approvals are granted.
The RAN Badge cannot be redrawn, recoloured, renamed, modified, cropped, rotated, manipulated or altered in any way, used in part or overlaid with imagery or text, used as a watermark (reduced opacity) or background image, or used as a part of a new logo. The RAN Badge cannot be used in association with products, activities or brands that are not aligned with Navy values.
Unauthorised or misuse of the RAN Badge is in breach of legislation and should be reported to the Navy Brand Manager immediately.
How to apply for permission to use the RAN Badge
To apply for permission to use a RAN Badge please complete an application form detailing the nature of use. A visual representation of the placement of the Badge as well as any other logos or words that are to appear alongside the RAN Badge must also be included.
Once the application form has been completed it can be returned to the Navy Brand Manager via email or post. Please allow up to four weeks for the return of your completed application form for processing.
For additional information please email the Navy Brand Manager at navy.brand@defence.gov.au
According to the UK College of Arms, it is envisaged that the form of the Crown seen in King Charles III’s new cypher will be adopted as the form used in representations of the Royal Arms and in Military and Crown Badges in the new reign. It is the intention that the new cypher and new rendering of the St. Edward's Crown will be introduced gradually, and generally only when equipment or uniforms which bear them needs to be replaced. This will be similar to what happened in the 1950s and 1960s as Queen Elizabeth II's cypher came to replace that of King George VI.
There will be a new version of the RAN Ceremonial Badge in due course. It is anticipated that any discussions on adopting a new version of the St. Edward’s Crown will be driven by Government House and the Governor General.
