Potential clashes between anti-racism and anti-immigration rallies pose the risk of a wider escalation of violence and social upheaval, a leading expert on terrorism has warned.
The nation's leaders have rushed to condemn protests linked to white nationalist extremists planned across capital cities on Sunday.
March for Australia, the group behind the demonstrations, says they will demand the federal government brings and end to 'mass migration'.
Anti-racism and pro-Palestine marches will place at the same time in Sydney and Melbourne, which could see rival groups come face to face.
Michael Zekulin, a terrorism researcher at the Australian National University, warns violence could erupt if people started identifying with one group at the expense of others in the community.
'This is where things can become potentially dangerous when you have individuals who are sort of espousing or blaming other groups for the problems of their group,' he told AAP.
'If that starts to get out of hand, if there are confrontations, that can sort of feed into larger things as they pick up more momentum.'
Up to 1,000 NSW Police officers will be out in force across the Sydney CBD on Sunday, where multiple streets will be blocked off due to the Sydney Marathon.
March for Australia has organised protests around the country on Sunday, demanding an end to mass migration.
There will be similar scenes in Melbourne, where Victoria Police has declared the CBD as a designated area, allowing people to be weapons and be asked to remove face coverings.
Dr Zekulin said social media had played a role in encouraging copy-cat behaviour among extremist groups.
'It's very clear that these individuals travel in the same circles on the internet,' he said.
'They see each other, they see what other groups who have similar beliefs to them are doing, and then they will try to imitate or mimic that.'
Indian migrant workers have expressed fears they will be targeted by protesters at the anti-migration rallies.
The Albanese government has declared there is no place for hate in Australia.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley on Saturday called for calm and respectful behaviour ahead of the mass protests.
'In Australia, we protect the right to an opinion and the right to protest. But that must be done peacefully and respectfully. There is no place for violence, racism or intimidation,' she said.
Thousands of patriotic Australians will take to the streets on Sunday for March for Australia.
Michael Zekulin (above) has warned that rival rallies risk escalating into social upheaval if groups begin blaming others for their problems.
'Whether incited from afar or stirred up here, we cannot let hatred and fear tear at our social cohesion.'
'Strong borders keep us safe, but they also allow us to be generous and compassionate to those fleeing conflict.'
'That is the Australian story. Respect, tolerance, community. It belongs to all of us, and what unites us will always be stronger than what seeks to divide us.'
'Strong borders keep us safe but they also allow us to be generous and compassionate to those fleeing conflict.'
'That is the Australian story.'
Greens Immigration spokesperson David Shoebridge said anti-migrant rhetoric inside parliament house and in the media had fed into extremist views.
'We are in solidarity with every community that is targeted and concerned by these hateful rallies,' he said.