Leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned anti-migration rallies, warning violence and racism have no place in Australia.
Federal opposition leader Sussan Ley called for calm ahead of March for Australia events across the nation.
“There is no place for violence, racism or intimidation,” Ms Ley said.
“Whether incited from afar or stirred up here, we cannot let hatred and fear tear at our social cohesion.
“It (Australia) belongs to all of us, and what unites us will always be stronger than what seeks to divide us.”
Cabinet minister Murray Watt lambasted the marches and hoped no trouble would ensue.
“We absolutely condemn the March for Australia rally that’s going on today,” he told Sky News.
“The fact that this is being organised and promoted by neo-Nazi groups tells us everything we need to know about the level of hatred and division that these kind of rallies are about.”
Liberal Senator James Paterson, who has long championed strict migration laws, said many Australians held sincere views on the topic.
However, he warned neo-Nazis would be present at the rallies, and expressed concern about the targeting of multicultural communities including Indian Australians, labelling it shameful and wrong.
NSW Police have their work cut out for them with hundreds of officers deployed to facilitate the Sydney marathon, a weekly pro-Palestine rally and the anti-immigration march in different parts of the city.
Commanders warned there would no tolerance for violent acts or criminal behaviour.
“If anyone wants to come along and hijack these assemblies and do the wrong thing … they will be arrested and charged,” Assistant Deputy Commissioner Peter McKenna told reporters.
Ahead of the marches, a flurry of social media posts claimed 1500 migrants were arriving in Australia each day, which was repeated on talkback radio.
However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics questioned the use of migration numbers, warning they were not an accurate reflection of immigration.
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