The coat of arms consists of a shield upon an archiepiscopal cross (i.e. cross with two horizontal arms) surmounted by a green galero (hat) with 10 green fiocchi (tassels) suspended on each side. These are standard ecclesiastical heraldic devices indicating the coat of arms is that of an archbishop.

The charges (emblems) on the left half of the shield (as the observer faces it) represent the Archbishop's See (i.e. the Archdiocese of Perth):

• fleur-de-lis (i.e. stylised lily - traditional symbol for Mary)
• constellation of the Southern Cross (symbol for Australia)
• black swan (state emblem for Western Australia.

The charges on the right half are personal to Archbishop Hickey:

• oak leaf between two acorns - from the Hickey family coat of arms
• Jerusalem cross - symbol for Jesus
• five loaves between two fish - Eucharistic symbol

Motto:
Umbram Fugat Veritas (truth puts the shadows to flight) - words taken from Lauda Sion, a Eucharistic hymn composed by St Thomas Aquinas for the feast of Corpus Christi.