Australian flags will be flown at half-mast on the day of Nelson Mandela's official memorial, says Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who has faced criticism for not initiating the mark of respect on news of the world leader's death.
Flags remained atop poles at Canberra's Parliament House on Friday despite news of the 95-year-old former South African president's death.
"I've instructed that flags be flown at half mast on the day of Nelson Mandela's official memorial as a mark of respect," Mr Abbott wrote on Twitter on Saturday.
"We honour a truly great world leader, an extraordinary man."
Federal Labor members on Friday questioned why flags had not been lowered.
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"A small but powerful gesture for one of the greatest men of our time. Let's #lowertheflag," deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek tweeted on Friday night.
Party colleague Tony Burke chimed in: "it's sometimes the simplest gestures which can be the most powerful".
An official mourning ceremony will be held for Mr Mandela on December 10 in Soweto followed by a burial in Mandela's Eastern Cape hometown of Qunu on December 15.
His body will lie in state in the capital Pretoria from December 11-13.
A spokesman for Mr Abbott said it is yet to be determined who will represent Australia at the official events.
"Australia will be very well represented at the highest level," he told AAP.
