Backstroker Matt Welsh has been chosen as Australia's flag bearer in Saturday night's opening ceremony of the FINA world championships in Melbourne.

The 30-year-old will be competing at his fifth world swimming championships after making his debut for the Dolphins in Perth in 1998.

"It is a great honour to carry the Australian flag and in particular to be singled out in front of my home town and my family, I had better make sure that they have some tickets," Welsh said.

Australian team captain Grant Hackett and Australian women's water polo star Mel Rippon have been chosen to read the athletes' oath at the opening ceremony in front of an expected crowd of some 12,500 people.

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