Australians want a new national flag - but not too different from the existing one, it seems.

A survey of more than 8000 people has found that this design, in which the Federation Star and the Southern Cross continue to feature prominently on a blue background, was the most popular among voters.

Gone is any sign of the Union Jack and instead, the national colours of green and gold feature in a wave-like design at the bottom of the flag, called the Southern Horizon.

The Alternative Australian Flag Survey was conducted by Dr Benjamin T Jones, an adjunct research fellow at Western Sydney University, and aimed to find out Australians' attitudes to their flag and how they would feel if it was changed.