Is the koala ever called Australia's national animal instead of kangaroo?

People sometimes call the koala a national animal in casual speech because it is famous, but officially the koala is not Australia’s national animal; the kangaroo remains the dominant national symbol.

Why the confusion happens

• Global popularity: Koalas are widely loved and appear in tourism campaigns, children’s books, and conservation branding.
• State emblem status: The koala is a state fauna emblem in parts of Australia (e.g., Queensland), which can make people assume it has a national role.
• Media shorthand: Headlines and travel guides sometimes use “national animal” loosely for any iconic species.