The Commonwealth Star on Australia’s flag has seven points.
The star originally had six points, representing the six colonies that federated to form the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. A seventh point was added in 1908 after Papua became an Australian territory; it now represents Australia’s territories and any future states.
The star sits in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the Union Jack. It is separate from the five stars forming the Southern Cross on the flag’s fly side. That distinction causes a common mix-up: the Commonwealth Star has seven points, while the smaller central star of the Southern Cross has five and the four larger Southern Cross stars each have seven.
Australia’s flag first flew in its competition-winning form in 1901. The present seven-pointed version dates from 1908, while the Flags Act 1953 later gave the blue ensign statutory status as Australia’s national flag.