Australia Day 2026 LIVE updates: Cops ramp up safety forward of Invasion Day and anti-immigration rallies – what you could know

Tens of thousands of people are expected to protest at Invasion Day rallies scheduled across every major metro centre across the country on Australia day.

This means police will boost security at the rallies with anti-immigration demonstrations also expected to take place.

NSW Police announced it had tweaked the extended protest ban in place in the wake of the Bondi Beach attack so activists could march in parts of Sydney.

The Melbourne CBD protest exclusion zone activated following the Bondi Beach attack will not be in place today.

‘There will be a highly visible police presence throughout the CBD, with a number of traffic management points in place,’ Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said.

NSW Police confirmed an increased police presence today, warning those showing ‘antisocial or criminal behaviour will not be tolerated’.

Specialist police will be authorised to carry long-arm weapons in Sydney.

Acting-Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Paul Scully said the beefed-up security was about ‘protection not because of any specific threat’.

‘These are operational decisions made by police based on intelligence and risk assessments,’ Acting Minister Scully said.

‘We’re asking everyone to respect police directions, follow the law and play their part, so Australia Day is safe and enjoyable for all.’

Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Joseph McNulty said there would also be a strong police presence on the water.

Sydney’s Invasion Day march will kick off at Hyde Park at 10am, and the March for Australia anti-immigration demonstration starting at noon at Prince Alfred Park.

The Melbourne rallies will kick off at Parliament House at 10am while rallies in other major metro centres will kick off at various times.

Below is a list compiled by Amnesty International Australia detailing every ‘Invasion Day’ protest and other rallies to be held today on January 26.

‘Each year there is talk of division, yet year after year, rain, hail or heatwave, tens of thousands of Australians come together in a powerful show of solidarity,’ the Amnesty International post reads.

‘Young people, seniors, visitors, new citizens and First Nations people take to the streets, and for many, attending has become a family tradition.

‘The first documented protest on this date was the 1938 Day of Mourning, and Aboriginal people have protested every year since.’

Rally list:

NSW:

Sunset Cultural Ceremony, Woronora

When: 4:00 PM -7:00PM

Where: Burnum Burnum Sanctuary

Yabun Festival

When: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Where: Victoria Park, Broadway

Invasion Day 2026: Rally and March

When: 10:00 AM

Where: Hyde Park, Sydney

Survival Day 2026 – Honouring Culture, Strength, and Community – Katoomba

When: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Where: Barton Street, Katoomba North Public School

Blak Powerhouse

When: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Where: Manning House, Manning Road, Camperdown

VICTORIA:

Naarm Invasion Day Protest (picture below)

When: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Where: Parliament House of Victoria, Spring St Melbourne

Our Survival Day – Her Story; Matriarchs of 2026

When: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Where: The Briars, 450 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha VIC 3934

QUEENSLAND:

Benarrawa Survival Day

When: 7:30 AM

Where: Gather at the bronze canoe, near Simpson’s playground, end of Graceville Ave, Graceville

Gimuy Rally

When: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Where: Fogarty Park, Gimuy, Cairns

Invasion Day 2026: We Have Survived! Sunshine Coast

When: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Where: Sunshine Coast City Hall, corner of First Ave and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore

Magandjin Invasion Day 2026

When: Speeches starting 10 AM, March starting 12 PM

Where: Queens Garden, Brisbane

Maleny Remembrance Ceremony 2026

When: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Where: Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, 17 Bicentennial Lane, Maleny

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Survival Day – North Haven

When: 8:30 AM

Where: North Haven Surf Life Saving Club, 44 Australia II Avenue, North Haven, SA

Survival Day Tandanyangga

When: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Where: Victoria Square, Adelaide

Aus Lights on the River

When:5:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Where: Elder Park

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

Invasion Day Protest

When: 12:00 PM

Where: Forrest Chase, on Wellington Street, Perth

Reflect and Respect Film Dome

When: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Where: Langley Park, Riverside Drive

Rubibi Survival Day

When: 4:00 pm – 11:00 PM

Where: Gimme Club at Goolarri Media, Blackman St, Broome

TASMANIA:

Invasion Day 2026 – Nipaluna/Hobart

When: 11:00 AM

Where: Depart TAC 198 Elizabeth Street, Hobart

Limilinaturi Invasion Day 2026

When: 11:30 AM

Where: 106 Best St, Devonport