Thousands of heavily armed police officers are patrolling the streets of Sydney as people mark the new year - a rare and stark sight following the Bondi Beach mass shooting.
Some officers were carrying high-grade weapons as part of heightened security measures following the attack earlier this month, which targeted Australia's Jewish community and killed 15 people in what was the country's deadliest shooting since 1996.
New South Wales (NSW) Police said more than 2,500 police personnel would be on duty, with many of them armed.
New Year's Eve parties in the city will be paused at 23:00 local time (12:00 GMT) for a minute's silence to commemorate the victims of the attack, while the Sydney Harbour Bridge will be lit up by a white light to symbolise peace.
Sydney's celebration - with its iconic fireworks display - kicks off a chain of events, from Dubai, to London and New York.
