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Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt plans to spend the next 12 months teaching children to appreciate the skin they're in.

The writer and documentary maker wants to shift the way people - young and old - think about the way they look.

"We need to get this right for every Australian, especially our children," she said.

"We've got 28,000 days on the planet - if we're really lucky - and the time is now to have a national conversation about how we feel about our bodies, because it's not our life's purpose to be at war with it."

Ms Brumfitt wants school curriculums to include body positivity lessons and resources to ensure children learn how to love their bodies from an early age.

"We're saying to the government of Australia, policymakers, lawmakers: We know what to do to fix this issue of body image," she said.

"Let us help you and let us help every Australian."

The South Australian was honoured for her work leading the Body Image Movement.

Her 2016 documentary Embrace, which has been seen by millions around the world, explored why women hated their bodies as well as her own journey of acceptance.

That work led to a companion documentary for children, as well as parenting books and research hubs on the subject.

Another project Ms Brumfitt hopes to tackle is the final film in the Embrace trilogy about male body positivity.

She said men needed to be included in the movement as they also faced body image challenges.

"This is an issue for everybody, globally," she said.

"We weren't born into the world hating our bodies. It's something the world has taught us."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said her appointment was already helping people come forward.

Mr Albanese said a lifelong friend texted him last night revealing her personal story.

"Someone who I'm very close to, who indicated to me that when they were young, when they were a teenager, they ended up in the children's hospital due to an eating disorder," he said.

"Someone who was bullied on the basis of their body and their shape and that had a real impact."

The prime minister said the focus on encouraging people to love their bodies was timely.

"There are cowards who hide behind social media anonymity, prepared to make judgements. There's so much pressure on people with unrealistic expectations as well," he said.

"Taryn's message, which is very clear, which is just love who you are and love your body, is a message for everyone."

He said the body image campaigner would make an enormous difference, just as her predecessor Dylan Alcott helped raise the visibility of people with a disability over the past 12 months.

Other winners included Indigenous activist Tom Calma, who took out Senior Australian of the Year, while Socceroo and refugee advocate Awe Mabil was named Young Australian of the Year and Turbans 4 Australia founder Amar Singh received the Local Hero award.

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Documentary maker and body image activist Taryn Brumfitt has vowed to use her new platform as Australian of the Year to spark change in how people see themselves.

The South Australian said she wanted to shift the way people think they look and learn to love the skin they're in.

"This is not about encouraging obesity, this is not what I do, and this issue is not simply about weight or size, it's about the way that we feel about all of ourselves," she said in accepting the award on Wednesday night.

"We weren't born into the world hating our bodies. This is something the world has taught us."

The writer and director was honoured for her work leading the Body Image Movement, which aims to teach people to love the skin they're in.

Her 2016 documentary Embrace, which has been seen by millions around the world, explored why women hated their bodies as well as her own journey of acceptance.

That work led to a companion documentary for children, as well as parenting books and research hubs on the subject.

Brumfitt said it was crucial to work alongside young people in order for them to develop positive attitudes to their bodies from an early age.

"Little Aussies describe their bodies as strong and energetic and powerful and they have genuine love for all the things their bodies can do," she said.

"This gives me hope that we can get in early and block the shame and despair, create body-image safe environments for them to learn, live and play in and let them live their lives as teens and adults with the freedom that comes from embracing your body, not the illnesses that come with hating them."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian of the Year honour was perfectly timed.

"Unfortunately it must be said we all know people who have been impacted by body-image issues, some in the most drastic way possible," Mr Albanese said.

"Taryn will make an enormous difference, just as Dylan Alcott has been an extraordinary Australian of the Year over the last 12 months."

Other winners included Indigenous activist Tom Calma, who took out Senior Australian of the Year, while Socceroo and refugee advocate Awe Mabil was named Young Australian of the Year and Turbans 4 Australia founder Amar Singh received the Local Hero award.

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Novak Djokovic has sent an ominous warning to his Australian Open rivals, cranking into top gear despite revealing he's been hooked up to machines to treat his lingering hamstring injury for most of the past fortnight.

Djokovic upped the ante in his search for a 10th Open crown as he coolly dispatched fifth seed Andrey Rublev 6-1 6-2 6-4 on Wednesday to reach his 44th grand slam semi-final and 10th at Melbourne Park.

Two nights after Djokovic wiped the floor with Australian hope Alex de Minaur in the fourth round, the world No.5 left 25-year-old Rublev powerless in a one-sided contest at Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic will head into his semi-final as heavy favourite in his first match against unseeded American Tommy Paul, who beat compatriot Ben Shelton 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 5-7 6-4.

"Last two matches, playing against two guys that are really good players, in-form players, to beat them dominantly in three sets is something that is definitely something that I want in this moment, something that sends a message to all my opponents remaining in the draw," he told reporters.

"With this kind of match, of course the confidence level rises, considering the circumstances.

"I feel good on the court, better and better as the tournament progresses. I've been in this situation in so many times in my life, in my career, never lost a semi-finals in Australian Open.

"Hopefully that will stay the same."

The hamstring injury suffered in Adelaide has impacted the Serb's return to Melbourne Park, after he missed the 2022 tournament following his deportation for not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic has had his left thigh strapped throughout his campaign but his ominous form had prompted him to reject suggestions he had faked or played up the injury.

After making light work of Rublev, he touched on his injury management.

"To be honest, I've been connected to machines more than I have been connected to anybody else or my bed or anything else really in the days off," Djokovic said.

"I've tried about any bio-feedback machine there is in this planet in order to get my leg ready and it worked. I'm going to keep going.

"I miss tennis in the days off but at the same time I think it's important to be smart and wise with the body in these particular circumstances where it's more important to recover and get ready for the next challenge."

Only Roger Federer (46) has made more grand slam semi-final appearances than 35-year-old Djokovic, who is attempting to equal Rafael Nadal on 22 majors.

Djokovic is now on a 39-match winning streak in Australia stretching back to 2018.

In beating world No.6 Rublev, Djokovic has now won 22 of his past 23 matches against top-10 opponents at Melbourne Park.

Djokovic was only really bothered by windy conditions on court and a spectator's consistent heckling as he comfortably won the first set.

Rublev was reduced to frustrated screams on multiple occasions in the second set, but couldn't find a response as Djokovic kicked away to seal victory.

Rublev has now featured in seven grand slam quarter-finals without reaching the semi-finals.

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Local heroes and community leaders have dominated this year's Australia Day honours, recognised in overwhelming numbers alongside famous entertainers, military figures and public officials.

From foster carers to vaccine rollout coordinators, directors, musicians and police chiefs, Australians from all walks of life are included in the list.

Prominent Australians have also featured in the annual honours, including the late Archie Roach, who received the nation's highest honour.

The singer-songwriter, who died in 2022, was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for his work in the performing arts, as well as efforts in Indigenous rights and reconciliation.

Western Australian governor and the state's former police commissioner Chris Dawson was also given an AC, one of six people to receive the honoured this year, including former Queensland Labor senator Margaret Reynolds, who served in Bob Hawke's ministry.

The head of the national vaccine rollout, Lieutenant-General John Frewen, was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO).

He was one of 77 people included in a COVID-19 honour roll and recognised for their service during the pandemic.

Academic and historian Jenny Hocking, best known for her work on the Palace Papers, was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Phillip Noyce, who has directed films including Rabbit-Proof Fence and Patriot Games, also received an AM, as did actor David Wenham.

TV chef Kylie Kwong was also honoured, as was Terry Blamey, the former manager of pop star Kylie Minogue.

Of the 736 honours handed out in this year's list, 48 per cent were awarded to women, the highest percentage of female recipients since the system began in 1975.

The high of 48 per cent was a slight increase from the 47 per cent set last year.

Governor-General David Hurley said ensuring honour recipients reflected the community's diversity was a priority.

"The recipients have had a significant impact at the local, national and international level and are, quite simply, inspiring," Mr Hurley said.

"It is encouraging to see an increase in diversity in the Order of Australia."

The youngest recipient was 37-years-old while the eldest was 102.

A further 30 people were awarded with a military division of the Order of Australia, while 217 received meritorious awards and 64 given distinguished and conspicuous awards.

Local leaders were singled out in this year's list, with more than 45 per cent of the general awards handed out for community service.

Among them were husband and wife Barbara and David Rugendyke, who were recognised for their work as foster carers.

The couple from Cobargo on the NSW south coast said they had always been driven to help vulnerable people.

"The happiness I get from the children is my motivation to continue with my work as a foster carer. I love the children," Mrs Rugendyke said.

Mr Rugendyke said he was proud to play a small part in bringing up the children.

"We are in contact with some of our foster children who have blossomed into beautiful adults," he said.

© AAP 2023