Australians have a new tartan. This new tartan was the brainchild of Mrs. Betty Johnston of Canberra who saw the need for Australia to have its own official, accredited and recognised National Tartan. The Australian National Tartan was launched on 28th April, 2007 by the British High Commissioner Helen Liddell  at the Bundanoon Highland Gathering. Mrs. Johnston consulted with the Protocol Department of the Commonwealth Government in Canberra.

This new tartan uses colours that portray the history of Australia as a nation. Green and gold are Australia's national colours. Red, white and blue are the colours of the Australian flag. The six white stripes represent the Southern Cross constellation and the Commonwealth star. The white also represents the cross of St. Andrew; red is reminiscent of the crosses of St. George and St. Patrick. The black reflects the beginnings of European settlement in Australia and its dark history of convict settlement.