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A cyber attack which may have compromised millions of Optus accounts is a dramatic wake-up call and demands tougher privacy and data laws, the federal opposition says.

Customers' names, dates of birth, phone numbers, email addresses, driver's licence numbers, passport numbers or addresses could have been accessed in the attack, Optus has confirmed.

Payment details and account passwords have not been compromised.

Optus said on Thursday night it was working with the Australian Cyber Security Centre to limit the risk to both current and former customers.

Australian Federal Police, the Office of the Australian Information Regulator and other key regulators have also been notified.

While the government has initiated a review into data security on social media platforms like TikTok, it won't be completed until next year, opposition communications spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said.

"This is all too little, too late," she said.

"Rather than kick the can down the road, Labor must urgently consider all regulatory options and act immediately to improve the privacy and safety of Australians online."

Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin said in a statement that as soon as the telco learned of the attack it took action to block it and began an investigation.

"While not everyone may be affected and our investigation is not yet complete, we want all of our customers to be aware of what has happened as soon as possible so that they can increase their vigilance," she said.

"We are very sorry and understand customers will be concerned. Please be assured that we are working hard ... to help safeguard our customers as much as possible."

Scamwatch has advised Optus customers to secure their personal information by changing online account passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication for banking.

Affected customers should also place limits on bank accounts, monitor for any unusual activity and request a ban on credit reports if any fraud is suspected.

Senator Henderson said the opposition had for months been calling on the Albanese government to deliver tougher online privacy and data protection laws.

In July, it called on Labor to adopt the coalition's Online Privacy Bill and earlier this month, she and other opposition MPs had criticised the government for failing to strengthen laws.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner said it would engage with Optus to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme.

Under the framework, organisations covered by the Privacy Act must notify affected individuals as quickly as possible if they experience a data breach likely to result in serious harm.

© AAP 2022

Queen Elizabeth II has been remembered across Australia as a woman of duty, selflessness and compassion.

Almost 700 dignitaries including former prime ministers, judges and military chiefs gathered at Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday for a national memorial service.

Past prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard and Scott Morrison attended the service, which also featured a Bible reading, prayers, a floral tribute and the national anthem sung by Anthony Callea.

Australians were given a one-off public holiday to mark the memorial.

Governor-General David Hurley told the service he was overcome with emotion while attending the Queen's funeral in London as he witnessed the end of a "remarkable chapter".

"Throughout her reign she constantly demonstrated tireless and selfless service, devotion to duty and a compassion for others," he said.

Mr Hurley spoke of recently presenting to the Queen, via the now-King Charles III, a specially commissioned work of art combining the Queen Elizabeth II rose and the Australian wattle, in celebration of her platinum jubilee.

"It was incredibly moving to learn she retained it in her private study in Balmoral during her final weeks," he said.

"I like to think in those final days she may have looked on that painting and reflected on her many visits to Australia and her love of the Australian people.

"It was a love that was reciprocated by many of us."

Mr Hurley acknowledged the Queen's death had "prompted different reactions for some in our community".

He noted the journey to reconciliation with First Nations people was one Australia still needed to complete.

The procession of key dignitaries into the Great Hall was led by Indigenous performers Wiradjuri Echoes.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Queen did not seek to chase the times but rather "held to qualities and virtues that are timeless".

"Love of family, loyalty to country, service to community, kindness to those in need, respect for everyone she met," Mr Albanese said.

"Perhaps the greatest tribute we can offer her family and her memory is not a marble statue or a metal plaque.

"It's a renewed embrace of service to community, a truer understanding of our duty to others, a stronger commitment to respect for all."

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said there had never been a more "dignified monarch, dutiful leader or decent human" than the Queen.

Inside the Great Hall, among the sea of black suits, dresses, hats and veils could be seen the bright orange of SES volunteers, the red of Scout uniforms and blues and greens of school uniforms.

Outside on the parliament lawns, hundreds gathered to mark the occasion in front of two large screens streaming the procession.

In 1954, Michael Lucas was in Brisbane waving his flag celebrating the Queen's first official visit to Australia.

Almost seven decades later, celebration turned to commemoration.

"She's just done a wonderful job. She's been a mother figure to us all," he told AAP.

Despite being some decades his junior, the same sentiment was expressed by Sarah Wood, who travelled from Newcastle to witness the memorial service.

"She always prioritised what her duty was and there's not a lot of people out there that really do that anymore," she said, draped in a monochrome black British flag.

"A lot of world leaders could learn a thing or two from her."

The 1954 painting of the Queen by eight-time Archibald Prize winner Sir William Dargie formed the centrepiece of the service.

It was surrounded by Australia's floral emblem, the golden wattle, and the Queen's favourite flowers, sweet peas and dahlias.

The Queen died on September 8 aged 96, having reigned as Australia's head of state for 70 years.

She visited the country 16 times during her reign, consulted with 16 prime ministers, and 16 governors-general served in her name.

Both houses of parliament will sit on Friday to speak on a condolence motion for the Queen and pay tribute to King Charles III.

© AAP 2022

A minute's silence has been marked across Australia in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley signed a condolence book ahead of the pause for reflection at the start of a national memorial service at Parliament House.

Their procession into the Great Hall was led by Indigenous performers Wiradjuri Echoes.

Political leaders past and present, judges, military chiefs and other dignitaries are among 700 guests at the service.

Mr Hurley, Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will speak during the televised service, which will also feature a Bible reading, prayers, music and a floral tribute.

Inside the Great Hall, among the sea of black suits, dresses, hats and veils, could be seen the bright orange of SES volunteers, red of Scout uniforms and blues and greens of school uniforms.

The Queen died on September 8 aged 96, having reigned as Australia's head of state for 70 years.

Twenty years ago she declared during a visit to Australia her "admiration, affection and regard for the people of Australia will remain, as it has been ...constant, sure and true".

Up to six Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II jets from No.77 Squadron will fly past parliament at midday.

The Queen visited the country 16 times during her reign and was the patron of more than 20 Australian charities and associations.

She consulted with 16 prime ministers and 16 governors-general served in her name.

Former prime ministers Paul Keating, John Howard and Scott Morrison are attending the memorial service.

All eight state and territory leaders are present, as arestate governors, justices of the High Court and religious leaders.

Cabinet minister Tanya Plibersek said it was an important day to mark 70 years of service.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to mark the passing of a very special woman," she said.

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney, who is taking part in the service, said she believed it would be received "very respectfully" by Indigenous people.

"There is a huge respect for sorry business - it is part of Aboriginal culture and the reverence to the Queen in my view falls into that category," she told ABC radio.

However, she said there was a "complex relationship" between Indigenous people and the monarchy.

"You cannot divorce the issues of colonisation from the role of Britain going back through the ages."

Opposition frontbencher Karen Andrews, who is also attending the service, said it would be a "fitting tribute".

A 1954 painting of the Queen by eight-time Archibald Prize winner Sir William Dargie is the centrepiece of the service.

The painting is surrounded by Australia's floral emblem, the golden wattle, and some of her favourite flowers, sweet peas and dahlias.

Former Australian Idol contestant Anthony Callea is performing at the service.

Both houses of parliament will sit on Friday to speak on a condolence motion for the Queen and pay tribute to King Charles III.

© AAP 2022