Sydney
Thousands of people have gathered in central Sydney to commemorate Anzac Day as photos of diggers are being projected onto Charles House in Sydney's Martin Place.
In Sydney, AirCommander Australia, Air Vice Marshall Steven Roberton, delivered the address lauding the original Anzacs, members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
"They changed that simple acronym of their Army Corps into a word that stands for unity and mateship, courage and determination," he said.
He said the legacy of Anzac day needed to be continued, more than 100 years since the tragic landing.
"Anzac day is not about glorifying war, but about celebrating the Australian spirit, which we share with the New Zealand counterparts," he said.
"Anzac signifies strength and quality of character, attitude and action that transcends time.
"The challenge for us here this morning is to ensure that the spirit of Anzac is passed on to our children and, in so doing, honour the fallen and their sacrifice."He acknowledged Anzac Day caused pain for many.
"For some, it is a day of grief and tragedy, of immeasurable loss and deep mourning for loved ones and mates lost in battles. But for others, this is a day of pride and of mateship."
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Acting Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, NSW Governor David Hurley were among the thousands gathered for the service.
Families with young children are among those to have come to the Cenotaph for this year's Anzac Day dawn service in the city.
Later on Wednesday, female veterans will lead the march in Sydney for the first time to mark 103 years since Anzac troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915.
Steel bollards have been positioned along the Sydney CBD march route while CCTV and airport-style bag checks will be utilised. Uniformed and plainclothes police will patrol the streets.
In another first, RSL NSW will fundraise for the 2018 Invictus Games after president James Brown announced in 2017 the charity would stop fundraising for itself following a scandal over the misuse of funds.
The games are a Paralympic-style sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
Canberra
In the cold and darkness, crowds have flocked to the Australian War Memorial in Canberra for a dawn service commemorating the Anzacs and those who followed.
Up to 50,000 people are expected for the service, the 103rd anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli.
Former opposition leader Kim Beazley will deliver the formal commemorative address while one of Australia's last Rats of Tobruk, 97-year-old Bob Semple, will also speak.
Hundreds of former Australian Army Apprentices are among the crowds - they'll mark the 70th anniversary of their formation by leading the march later in the morning.
Jeff Ward, a transport officer who served for more than 20 years, is among them with his wife Cathy, who served as a nurse.
"There's 800 of us, more than 800 now. It's out of control," Mr Ward said. It's expected to be the largest contingent leading a march in several years.
Melbourne
Despite serving in the army for six years, ex-soldier Chris Walters still struggles to see Anzac Day as for him.
"I still never see today as respect to me ... I still think of my grandfather (who) served, my dad was in the RAAF for 20 years," he told AAP at the Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
The former soldier is one of the thousands of people, including children, who have poured into the Shrine for Wednesday's dawn service, a century after World War One.
Brisbane
Thousands of people gathered in drizzling rain in Brisbane's CBD for the dawn service.
Armed with umbrellas and coffees, the crowds filled Anzac Square and the surrounding overpasses to honour those who have fought and died at war.
Debbie Radford, from Brisbane, says it's an important tradition to remember the sacrifices made by many Australians, including her great uncle, who fought in World War II.
"We started attending the dawn services a number of years ago with our children and we were fortunate enough to go to Gallipoli in 2015 to go to the dawn service there. It was amazing what those young men went through," she told AAP.
Hobart
Hundreds of people have gathered at the Hobart Cenotaph to commemorate Anzac Day at the annual dawn service.
Rugged up on a cool Wednesday morning, the crowd will pause to remember Australia's servicemen and women at the Queens Domain which overlooks Hobart.
"This is only one day a year when we all take time to remember. It's not much to give up," Paul Thompson, 57, whose dad served with the British Royal Navy in World War Two, told AAP.
Adelaide
A 12-hour overnight vigil held at the South Australian National War Memorial by representatives from local youth groups ended early on Wednesday morning.
People arriving for the service are being greeted by reflective music sung by the Barton Singers and the South Australian Primary Schools Choir.
The service will begin at 6.01am local time with the arrival of Governor Hieu Van Le, his wife, and the catafalque party.
The crowd will be addressed by Ian Smith, chair of the RSL South Australia's Anzac Day committee, with various politicians and representatives due to lay wreaths.
Darwin
Thousands of Darwin residents attending the Dawn Service have been told Anzac Day holds a particular resonance for them given the city's history of being attacked during World War II.
More than 90 bombs were dropped on the city 76 years ago, and Darwin was still home to 12,000 defence force personnel to whom the nation is grateful, Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion told the crowd.
The Dawn Service is held at the cenotaph overlooking Darwin harbour.
