A small cohort of newly minted Australians have been officially welcomed home by the nation's leader.
Speaking at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra on Australia Day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told 23 new Australians they had "come to a country where democracy is not just a platitude but something which is practised".
"Whether we are Australian by birth or by choice we all share the opportunity, the privilege and also the responsibility of being part of something quite extraordinary," he said.
"A nation built with hope and hard work, aspiration and determination, a society guided by freedom and fairness, compassion and courage."
Surrounded by family and friends, Amy Ying Yee Ting said the ceremony was "magical".
"Today turned out to be so beautiful … I don't think I can ever forget it," she told AAP on Monday.
"I've lived in Australia longer than I have in Malaysia. It's a sense of belonging here, I've chosen this place and now this place has chosen me."
Nagendra Yadav, an aged-care planning coordinator, smiled as he recalled coming to Australia in 2018 when his daughter was just a newborn.
"After COVID my wife and son and daughter came and then after that my family followed me from Nepal," he said.
"I'm on top of the moon today, it's a very welcoming country, friendly and safe and secure for my family."
It was love instead of hate and unity instead of division that defined Australia, Mr Albanese said.
"That is the Australia ... that you are pledging to be a part of, and to make yourselves part of the Australian story," he told the crowd.
"Welcome home."
Governor-General Sam Mostyn said Australia's "stable democracy is the envy of the world" before leading the audience through an affirmation to the country.
Kindness was at the heart of the nation's character, Ms Mostyn said, welcoming the group into the "Australian family with gratitude and great hope".
The ceremony was peaceful except for a single interruption at the beginning when a heckler yelled: "Shame on you. Blood on your hands, Albo".
The event began with a traditional smoking ceremony, followed by troops marching to the tune of Land Down Under, played by the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
An AMES Australia survey of recent migrants and refugees found strong support for Australia Day, with nearly 80 per cent of 120 respondents saying a national day is important.
While most newcomers planned to mark the day, almost 60 per cent were unaware of the significance of January 26 and many were only beginning to learn the controversy around the dispossession of Indigenous Australians.
More than 300 ceremonies were held across Australia to welcome 18,800 new citizens from over 150 countries.
