Australia Day 2024: guide

This week ABC screens Live events to mark Australia Day celebrations.

Performing at Australia Day Live are Casey Donovan, Dami Im, William Barton, Gangajang, Kate Miller-Heidke, Loren Ryan, Chocolate Starfish, Mirusia, Emma Kavanagh.

Thursday January 25

Governor-General’s Australia Day Message 2024
6:55pm
A message to the nation from Australia’s Governor-General to mark Australia Day. His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley A DSC (Retd) speaks about the year just passed, and the hopes for the year ahead.

Australian of the Year
7:30pm
ABC proudly presents the Australian of the Year Awards on Thursday, January 25, live from Canberra’s National Arboretum from 7.30pm AEDT on ABC TV, ABC iview, ABC NEWS channel, and ABC Radio. The Australian of the Year Awards celebrates the achievements and contributions of outstanding Australians throughout 2023. There are 34 people in contention for four prestigious award categories:
• Australian of the Year
• Senior Australian of the Year
• Young Australian of the Year
• Australia’s Local Hero

The evening’s celebrations will be hosted by Leigh Sales with the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese presenting the four category awards as they are announced, culminating in the announcement of the Australian of the Year 2023. On January 26, at 8.30am local time in each state and territory, the first feature length interview (30 minutes) with the recipient of the Australian of the Year will air on ABC Radio local stations.

Friday January 26

Private Welcome Ceremony 2024
8:05am
Ngunnawal Elders and Knowledge Holders host this event annually and have invited the Prime Minister and Governor General to the ceremony, symbolically welcoming the nation as a whole.

Australia Day: National Citizenship Ceremony 2024
9am
Setting the stage for Australia Day events around the country, we cross to Canberra for the National Citizenship and Flag Raising Ceremony from the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. Hosted by Dan Bourchier.

Australia Day Live
7:30pm
As the sun sets on our national day, the Australia Day Live concert from the Sydney Opera House forecourt and spanning Circular Quay is just getting started. This inspirational concert brings us together through storytelling, tributes and sensational entertainment. Australia Day Live showcases musical performances from our nation’s best talent complemented by a dazzling watercraft extravaganza of yachts, jet skis, fly boarders, and parachutists dropping in to join the fun. All this along with Sydney’s iconic landmarks and harbour create an incredible backdrop for a brilliant fireworks and light show.

The two-hour spectacular is produced by the NSW Government and Australia Day Council of NSW with creative direction led by musical maestro John Foreman OAM together with the multi-instrumentalist, composer and vocalist William Barton. Australia Day Live will be hosted by John Foreman, Casey Donovan and Jeremy Fernandez and further information on the line-up will be announced in January 2024. Since 2016, Australia Day Live at Sydney Opera House has proven to be much more than a concert; it brings us together on our national day to reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian spirit and the best of who we are.