A 96-gun salute and day of mourning: Here's how Australia is marking the Queen's death

Australia is mourning the passing of the nation's head of state with a number of events to mark Queen Elizabeth II's death, including flying flags at half mast, the signing of condolence books, and the firing of a 96-gun salute in Canberra - one for every year of her life.

A 96-gun salute has been fired after the death of Queen Elizabeth II near Parliament House in Canberra. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, former prime ministers and the opposition leader have led Australian tributes to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Around the country, people laid flowers and signed condolence books after hearing the seven-decade reign of the Queen had ended following her death aged 96 in the early hours of Friday morning.

To mark her passing, Australia's Federation Guard fired a Gun Salute from the forecourt of Parliament House, using six Howitzer Ceremonial Guns firing one round for each year of the Queen's life at 10-second intervals.

Under constitutional law, King Charles III immediately became king when his mother died in Scotland.

Flags flew at half-mast across Australia and while the country is not expected to observe an official mourning period, a national memorial is expected.

Australians woke on Friday morning to news the Queen had died peacefully at Balmoral in Scotland, at the age of 96 years old.

On Saturday, the Governor-General David Hurley, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other members of parliament will lay a wreath at the Queen's Terrace.

Parliament will be suspended for 15 days and flags will likely remain at half-mast until the day after the Queen's funeral, except for Saturday, when Prince Charles is proclaimed as the new sovereign.

The House of Representatives was expected to sit next week but this may be rescheduled.

The Australian flag flies at half mast on top of Parliament House in Canberra, Friday, September 9, 2022. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch

Both Mr Albanese and the Governor-General are expected to fly to London to attend the Queen's Lying in State in Westminister Hall, as well as her funeral in 10 day's time.

A National Day of Mourning will be held following the return of the prime minister and Governor-General from London, with a moment's silence to be observed. A date for this has yet to be announced.

Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Liz Truss speak

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Truss spoke by telephone early on Friday evening Australian time.

Mr Albanese offered sincere condolences to the government and people of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Truss gave her condolences to all Australians at this sad time.

The two leaders spoke about Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable life, legacy and dedication to duty. Mr Albanese congratulated Ms Truss on her election and the two prime ministers committed to build on the deep links between their two nations.

Sydney Opera House to be lit up

The NSW and Victorian governments have announced tributes to the Queen.

In Sydney, bells rang around midday on Friday at the GPO clock tower, Town Hall and St Andrews. The bells were tolled 96 times, representing each year of the Queen's life.

The Sydney Opera House sails lit up from the early evening to midnight on Friday, and will be lit up from 6.30pm to midnight on Saturday.

“The late Queen Elizabeth II played an important role to the people of Australia during her reign and the lighting of the Sydney Opera House is a fitting tribute on behalf of the people of Australia,” Mr Albanese said in a statement.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the tribute on the country's most recognised icon would be a symbolic gesture on behalf of the NSW government.

“The tribute on the sails will recognise Her late Majesty’s immense contribution to our state and nation, a fitting tribute as she officially opened the Sydney Opera House in 1973,” Mr Perrottet said.

Mourners wishing to lay a floral tribute are being asked to leave these near the gates of Government House Sydney, at Parade Ground inside the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. However, a donation to charity is being encouraged.

In Melbourne, mourners can lay flowers at the gates of Government House, and a tribute book will be available for people to sign.

Members of the public have also been placing flowers outside St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney, and signing a condolence book there.

A member of the public places a photograph of Queen Elizabeth II at the entrance of St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney, Friday, September 9, 2022. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

Members of the public leave messages of condolences for Queen Elizabeth II at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE

People can also leave a message of condolence at Parliament House, or on the Prime Minister and Cabinet's website at pmc.gov.au, or the Governor-General's website at gg.gov.au

Flowers can be left at the curved walls outside Australia's Parliament House.

On Friday, Mr Albanese remembered the late Queen as a monarch who "let her humanity show" and someone who performed her duty with "fidelity, integrity and humour".

"There is comfort to be found in Her Majesty’s own words: 'Grief is the price we pay for love'," Mr Albanese said in a statement.

"She celebrated our good times, she stood with us in the bad. Happy and glorious but steadfast too. In particular, we recall the sympathy and personal kindness she extended to Australians afflicted by tragedy and disaster."

Mr Albanese said the Queen's passing marks "the end of an era".

With AAP.