But a lack of respect was shown at the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth services with heckling and booing during acknowledgement of Country.
Saturday marks the 111th anniversary of Australian and New Zealand forces landing on the Turkish coast at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
More than 8000 Australian soldiers died during the unsuccessful campaign, which failed to wrest control of the Dardanelles.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra to acknowledge the debt owed to all servicemen and women who had gone to war.
"We give thanks to our veterans for all you have given," he said in a statement.
"We thank all Australians serving now, and we thank your families, who take on both the pride and the burden.
"What their legacy proves to us is that even when peace seems elusive, it is always worth fighting for."
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor described Anzac Day as something more than an expression of respect and gratitude.
"In remembering our fallen - in reaching into the past - we remind ourselves of who we are as Australians," he said in a statement.
As part of the Canberra service, attended by about 35,000 people, the Maori haka was performed in the war memorial's forecourt.
In Sydney, a small but vocal interjection of booing was heard during the acknowledgement of Country.
After those disturbing the peace were quieted, a chorus of applause and cheering rang out to show support for Pastor and Uncle Ray Minniecon.
Police confirmed a 24-year-old man was arrested for "an alleged act of nuisance" and others were moved on.
RSL NSW acting president, retired brigadier Vince Williams, said the disruption was "the most appalling act" he had ever seen at a dawn service.
"I apologise unreservedly to Uncle Ray ... his family has contributed enormously to our nation through from the First World War to the current day," Mr Williams told the ABC.
"I'm pretty convinced that none of the bunch of louts who were booing have ever done anything constructive for our nation."
Similar disruption occurred in Perth and Melbourne where Bunurong and Gunditjmara man Uncle Mark Brown delivered his welcome.
Heckles from the crowd could be heard, followed by booing but Uncle Brown continued.
Unlike previous years, loud cheers from the crowd drowned out the disturbance as he concluded his address.
Defence Minister Richard Marles called the booing "deeply disappointing" when Australians should be acknowledging the contributions Indigenous Australians made to the nation's defence.
"I just think that what we have seen with this booing is a disgrace, and it is deeply disrespectful to everyone actually who is participating in Anzac Day and particularly to that history," he told the ABC.
Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith attended an Anzac Day service on the Gold Coast while on bail.
He has been charged with five counts of war crime murder, alleged to have been committed during his service in Afghanistan as a special forces soldier between 2009 and 2012.
Mr Roberts-Smith denies the accusations.
"I've never thought about not coming, I was always going to be here," he said, briefly speaking to the media.
Mr Roberts-Smith said he was thinking of those who gave their lives for their country.
Mr Williams told AAP the heroism of those who fought is well remembered but support for those whose military careers were cut short against their will should also be front of mind.
"Having a network is absolutely essential and that feeling of connectivity is what the RSL brings to the equation," he said.
Homelessness and suicide were pressing issues facing veterans but Mr Williams said processes were improving to care for struggling former soldiers.
Anzac Day marches in Melbourne and Sydney were to begin at 9am AEST, and Last Post ceremonies will be held in the late afternoon.
Anzac Day is commemorated each year on April 25 and recognises the more than 1.5 million Australians who have served in wars and peace operations, including the 103,000 who have lost their lives.
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