Australia’s Northern Territory Mandates Students Sing Full National Anthem

‘We are bringing back the national pride into the school community,’ said NT Education Minister Jo Hersey.

School students wave Australian flags in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 21, 2024. Aaron Chown-Pool/Getty Images

Students in the Northern Territory (NT) must sing the full two verses of the Australian national anthem at assemblies, and it must be sung in English while students stand.

That’s according to new rules brought in by NT Education Minister Jo Hersey who says the territory needs a uniform approach to the civic ceremony.

Hersey said the move came on the back of a “very strong Australia Day” and a resurgence in support.

“We are bringing back the national pride into the school community. And we’ve said that all schools have to sing two verses of the national anthem,” she told Sky News Australia. Some schools may sing shortened single verse versions.

“This is about bringing consistency right across all schools in the Northern Territory.”

Hersey further stated that it would be up to individual schools to deal with any students who refused to take part.

“But what we are sending out ... is a very strong message that we want to create that pride,” she said.

“We want kids to know the verses of the national anthem and we also want that to be taught through the school through the civics program, whether it be through the arts or the music program.

“And schools can choose whether they have their school band up there, or choir or leaders up there singing the national anthem as well.”

The move was well received by NT Liberal Senator Jacinta Price, who is a prominent conservative Indigenous figure.

“As this new policy makes clear, singing both verses of Advance Australia Fair at assemblies and special events isn’t just ceremonial—it’s about building a shared national identity, teaching respect, and helping young Australians understand the values, rights and responsibilities that come with being part of this great country,” she wrote on social media.

“Our national symbols matter. They unite us, regardless of background, and remind us that while our stories are different, our future is shared.

“This is a sensible, respectful step that reinforces pride in who we are—and ensures our kids grow up understanding what it truly means to be Australian.”

The Epoch Times has contacted NT shadow spokeswoman for education Selena Uibo for comment.

Meanwhile, federal Education Minister Jason Clare appeared to support the move, during an interview on Channel 7’s Sunrise program.

“I never knew the second verse until I became a pollie, but you go to schools across the country, and kids sing the first verse and the second verse,” he said.

“There’s a great line in the second verse which says ‘with courage let us all combine to Advance Australia Fair’ … if kids are singing that in the NT and in other parts of the country I reckon that’s a good thing.”

Currently, there are no federal laws set around national anthem inclusion in Australian schools and practices vary by state and school.