MELBOURNE (REUTERS) - In socially distanced ceremonies across Australia that echoed a message of unity, politicians, veterans and ordinary people commemorated on Saturday (Aug 15) the 75th anniversary of the day that brought the end of World War II to the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Anthony Albanese laid wreaths at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, with a small group of veterans attending the national ceremony, subdued by the coronavirus pandemic.

"A country of seven million united and became one in a mighty national effort to defend human civilisation from the bullies who sought to destroy it," Mr Morrison said.

"Australia wasn't alone. We stood with our allies and our friends, this was a global fight. All understood that if tyranny was not confronted together, eventually it would be confronted alone. True then, true today."

The Aug 15 Victory in the Pacific Day commemorates Japan's acceptance of the Allies' demand to surrender, three months after Nazi Germany surrendered in Europe.

Almost one million Australians served in World War II. Some 39,000 died and another 30,000 were taken prisoner, according to government data.

About 12,000 of those who served in the war are still alive.