Anthony Albanese has called for unity on Australia Day, saying today should be a reminder of why Australia is the "best country on earth".

Millions of people are set to celebrate Australia Day, with citizenship ceremonies, barbecues and special events to mark the national holiday.

Albanese said today was an opportunity for the nation to reflect on what makes the country great.

READ MORE: Man charged with murder after elderly woman found dead in Melbourne

"The great gift of Australia Day is that it gives us the perfect opportunity to come together to celebrate everything that unites us as a nation and makes us the best country on earth," Anthony Albanese told The Australian.

"We are all lucky to call Australia home, whether you're Australian by birth or by choice, whether your ancestors have loved and cared for this land for 65,000 years and or whether you're joining our Australian family at citizenship ceremonies across our nation today, pledging your loyalty to our people, our values and our democracy."

There will also be Invasion Day protests around the country, and a March for Australia in Sydney.

The major cities around Australia will be hosting their own events to mark Australia Day.

READ MORE: Obama blasts 'lawless and cruel' tactics after federal officers kill nurse

Sydney

A WugulOra Morning Ceremony took place at Barangaroo, with several leaders, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, being present.

A First Nations artwork by Garry Purchase called Dancing in the Moonlight was projected on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

READ MORE: Two men charged after allegedly attempting to import $750,000 of cocaine

There will be a wide-scale citizenship ceremony at Circular Quay at around 10.30am, with the annual Ferrython, a race between four Sydney ferries, happening at about midday.

The celebrations in Sydney will conclude tonight with an Australia Day live concert on the Sydney Opera House forecourt, with Cody Simpson one of many artists to be performing.

The concert will begin at 7.30pm.

Canberra

The main event in the nation's capital on Australia Day is the National Citizenship and Flag Raising Ceremony on Lake Burley Griffin.

The Prime Minister and Governor General will attend, alongside the Australian of the Year recipients, as the country welcomes some of its new citizens in an eye-catching ceremony.

READ MORE: Hundreds flee homes as Victoria bushfire breaks containment

It features a helicopter fly-past and a bomber fly-over, as well as a 21-gun salute.

After the ceremony, a free event at Regatta Point will allow Canberra to come together to celebrate Australia Day, and will include a barbecue, live music and other entertainment.

Melbourne

Federation Square will be hosting an all-day event with activities for the family, food and music.

Melburnians will be able to find a spot on the grass to have a picnic, and will be able to watch the Australian Open on the big screen.

There will also be an official flag-raising ceremony, and an open day at Government House.

Adelaide

The extreme heat in Adelaide has seen the cancellation of the Aus Lights on the River and Aus Lights Parade, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees.

The Mourning in the Morning Ceremony still went ahead as planned.

Perth

Perth will have several Australia Day activities, with the festivities concluding in the evening with a drone and fireworks show.

READ MORE: Protesters demand immigration agents leave US city after man shot dead

This will take place over the Swan River, with the 30-minute show beginning at 8.30pm.

Brisbane

Brisbane will host a food ceremony this afternoon, which will also feature music and live entertainment.

Called "Great Australian Bites", it will begin at 2pm on Riverside Green at South Bank Parklands and will have pop-up stalls and food trucks sharing food from across the nation, reflecting Australia's multiculturalism.

There will also be a silent disco and live cooking demonstrations.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Sporting legend Cathy Freeman has been awarded Australia's highest honour, a little more than 25 years after she sent the nation into a frenzy with her Olympic gold medal at Sydney 2000.

Other notable names to be appointed as a companion of the Order of Australia (AC) tonight include former premiers Kristina Keneally, Annastacia Palaszcuk and Steven Marshall, and former federal finance minister Mathias Cormann. 

In all, nearly 1000 Australians were recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards, and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service.

READ MORE: K'gari pack of dingoes to be euthanised

It's just the latest in a glittering list of achievements and awards for Freeman, undoubtedly one of Australia's greatest athletes, responsible for the country's most iconic sporting moment. 

She already counted Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year, Sport Australia Hall of Fame Legend status and the Order of Australia Medal alongside her Olympic gold and silver medals and three Commonwealth Games golds in her trophy cabinet.

The Kuku Yalanji and Birra Gubba woman was recognised for "eminent service to athletics as an international competitor and ambassador, to positive social impact across the community, to the reconciliation movement in the spirit of unity and inclusion, and as a role model to youth."

Freeman told The Sydney Morning Herald she intended to use the honour as a platform to unite Australia.

"Mum said this is a gift from the Australian people and I wouldn't have looked at it that way, but my mum has incredible wisdom. So I sort of just stopped overthinking it and took it in the spirit it's supposed to be received in," she said, adding her mum was "all about unity".

"I just want to be who I am, be authentic. My achievement and my story is always going to touch on things like Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander perspectives, Olympism, track and field, elite sport, women in sport, the themes are diverse and varied."

Freeman described the award as "quite mind-bending".

"I set out to be the best athlete that I could be for myself and then all of a sudden this whole world unfolded right before my very eyes, and it just continues to expand, and it continues to be a wild ride, let me tell ya," she said.

Palaszczuk, who won widespread support among Queenslanders but angered many in the rest of the country by limiting the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic through harsh border restrictions, was praised for her recognition to public health.

She was also recognised more generally for her time as premier and service to educational equity and multiculturalism.

READ MORE: Fire doubles in size as state endures once in 20-year heatwave

Rob Hirst, the Midnight Oil drummer who died just days ago follow an almost three-year battle with pancreatic cancer, was appointed a member of the order for his service to music.

The Council of the Order of Australia highlighted former federal finance minister Cormann for his contributions to government reform, multilateral affairs and international economic development.

The Belgian-born Australian politician became secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shortly after leaving the Senate.

Former NSW leader Kristina Keneally was recognised for her services as premier, as well as her later years as a federal senator.

Former South Australian premier Steven Marshall was recognised for his service to business, people with disability, governance and board positions.

In addition to the 680 recipients of awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia (10 AC, 38 AO, 160 AM and 472 OAM), today's Honours list includes: 

• 22 recipients of awards in the Military Division of the Order of Australia.
• 187 Meritorious awards 
• 60 Distinguished and Conspicuous awards

You can search the table below for the full list of honourees.

READ MORE: Police respond to potential sighting of accused triple murderer

Governor-General Sam Mostyn said the honourees reflected Australia's values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity, and care.

"Congratulations to everyone recognised in the Australia Day 2026 Honours List," she said.

"As the list so vividly showcases, so many Australians continue to give the best of themselves across many endeavours, in the interest of others. It is rewarding to see an increase in the number of awards, which reflects more nominations and recognition of the many Australians who inspire the best in all of us."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Authorities are continuing to scour waters on Victoria's east coast after a 12-year-old Melbourne boy disappeared while swimming.

Danny was last seen swimming at No. 4 Beach in Venus Bay, about 120 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, around 11.30am yesterday.

His family, from Taylors Hill, and members of the public, started searching for him after losing sight of him about 11.30am.

READ MORE: Three shot dead in NSW town 'related' to alleged killer, police say

The Air Wing, water police, the coast guard, SES, Life Saving Victoria, uniform police and other beachgoers searched for Danny until the late hours of the night, but were unable to find any trace of him.

The search of No. 4 Beach resumed at 5am today, with a large vessel from Melbourne expected to arrive this afternoon to assist search efforts.

"His family are obviously distraught, as any parent wuold be in a situation like this," Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Wade said.

"We'll continue to search today whilst it's safe to do so and whilst we've got light."

Danny was described as about 170 centimetres tall with a thin build, dark, short hair and dark eyes.

He was wearing a navy blue rash vest and navy blue boardshorts with a white stripe when he disappeared. 

Police are urging anyone who's seen Danny to contact Wonthaggi Police.

Venus Bay's tiny population of 500 can surge into the thousands as anglers, surfers and families arrive for holidays, according to Visit Melbourne.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Hundreds of firefighters continue to battle an out-of-control blaze in Victoria's south-west, as the worst of a long-running heatwave looms over the state.

About 300 firefighters were on the ground this afternoon in the Otways, where more than 1100 properties have been urged to evacuate before sunset ahead of dangerous fire conditions tomorrow.

The mercury is set to climb to the mid to high 40s across Victoria tomorrow, and a gusty wind change expected to sweep the south-west coast late tomorrow afternoon has fire authorities and communities on alert.

READ MORE: NSW beaches closed after shark attacks set to reopen in time for Australia Day long weekend

Some parts of northern Victoria could reach record-breaking temperatures, with a top of 49 degrees forecast for Ouyen in the Mallee.

A statewide Total Fire Ban has been issued for tomorrow.

"Mid-40s heat tomorrow is significant for this environment as we will see right across Victoria tomorrow but that's what we're concerned about," Colac Deputy Incident Controller Alistair Drayton said on ABC News Afternoons.

"But more importantly we will see with the change coming through, the gusty south-westerly change at the moment with forecasted winds around the 60km/h mark.

"That will ensure there will be further smoke changing direction later in the afternoon that we're anticipating it to hit the firegrounds here."

A dozen aircraft were working to smother the blaze from above, while local firefighters and crews from interstate were doing their best to limit the spread of the fire on the ground.

A fleet of 74 Canadian firefighters was due to arrive in Victoria tomorrow to undergo orientation training, before assisting with firefighting efforts later in the week.

Drayton warned the fire was burning in a "very, very difficult landscape for firefighters" and said authorities would be putting the safety of firefighters first in extreme circumstances.

"This fire will not be contained in the coming days. Should it break out, firefighters will be looking at the safety of themselves and our assets.

"That's why we're asking people to evacuate now in those identified areas.

"Look at the EmergencyVic app to understand the circumstances in your particular area and indeed follow those actions that we're asking people to do."

More than 1100 properties urged to evacuate

Four evacuation orders were issued about midday for anyone in the path of the Gellibrand fire in the Otways, which has been burning since January 10.

Scorching conditions over the weekend caused the fire to nearly double in size and break containment lines on Saturday night.

READ MORE: Rose Byrne, Jacob Elordi lead Aussie charge for Oscars

The fire has grown to 8600 hectares in size, sparking warnings that dangerous conditions tomorrow could see it spread as far as Lorne and Aireys Inlet.

The evacuation orders for 1100 properties are for more than two dozen towns, including Gellibrand, Carlisle River, Barongarook, Kawarren, Forrest, Beech Forest and surrounding areas in the Great Otway National Park are in danger and should evacuate now to protect their lives, a warning from Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) said.

View the current emergency warnings here.

Police and SES were door-knocking the area urging people to leave, but warned they may not reach every property.

"Don't wait for Police. The message is to leave today," FFMVic said.

"When you are ready, you should leave immediately. Don't wait to be told when to leave."

A watch and act warning that stretches as far as Lorne and Anglesea has been issued, with residents urged to prepare their bushfire survival plans.

"The fire may impact southern Otway National Park and coastal communities as far as Lorne and Aireys Inlet," VicEmergency said.

"The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act," FFMVic said.

"Bushfire danger is expected to increase on Tuesday 27th January. Community members are encouraged to prepare their bushfire survival plan now and, if staying, ensure their property is ready."

The safest evacuation route is Birregurra-Forrest Rd and Forrest-Apollo Bay Road towards Colac, but authorities have warned Forrest-Apollo Bay Road may be closed if the fire activity reaches its vicinity.

Three relief centres have been established at the following locations for people who do not have a safe place to go:

• Colac Showgrounds – enter via Bruce Street – This is the only centre that you can take large domestic animals
• Colac Blue Water Fitness 118-134 Hearn St
• Grovedale Community Hub. 45-47 Heyers Road

All parks and campgrounds in the area, including the Great Otway National Park, are closed.

A series of watch-and-act warnings remain in place for other major bushfires burning across the state, including the Walwa fire and the Dargo/Wonnangatta fire.

Three of the original five retail crime advisers have now resigned in months.

Police and court bailiffs impounded 11 vehicles over the weekend.

Police say the recovery could last many days and possibly extend to weeks.

Everest Oketopa said he’s now committed to respecting emergency and professional workers.

Marchers at Perth's Invasion Day rally have been told to evacuate by police after reports of a threat, with one person in custody.

WA Police confirmed officers are responding to reports of a threat in Forrest Place in the CBD.

"Significant" police resources are on the ground in the area and an exclusion zone has been established.

READ MORE: Hundreds flee homes as Victoria bushfire breaks containment

READ MORE: 'Terrible nightmares': Sole survivor of NSW shooting relives tragedy

One person has been arrested and is speaking with police.

Members of the public have been urged to stay away from the area.

It has been reported there are concerns someone has thrown something dangerous into the crowd.

Two separate rallies are currently under way in the Perth CBD to mark Australia Day.

An Invasion Day rally began at 12pm local time (3pm AEDT) in Forrest Place and protesters gathered for a March for Australia demonstration in Wellington Square at the same time.

More to come.

Labour says it does not agree with the party’s stance.