Thousands of Australian children have welcomed refugee and migrant children "with open arms" in heart-warming messages intended for all new arrivals to the country.

The ABC's television news program, Behind the News (BtN)— in conjunction with non-partisan not-for-profit group Welcome to Australia — invited kids in September to send in original artwork that illustrates what people loved most about living in this country.

According to BtN's series producer Nathan Bazley, the result was "overwhelming", with the program receiving 12,134 hand-drawn colour pictures from the kids of Australia.

The BtN team is currently sifting through the mass of artwork and will pick their favourite 100 designs to be published in the BtN Welcome Book.

Welcome message finalist writes "we're honoured to have people like you in our country". ( Supplied )

Some of the responses from the children have included drawings of people playing cricket on the beach, a hashtag advising all new arrivals #YouNeedToVisitTheBeach and a message stating that "we're honoured to have people like you in our country".

Some of the artworks have been included below and are also available on BtN's website under Welcome Book gallery.

Refugee or migrant families who come to Australia are given a welcome pack but, while it contains a lot of important information for parents, there is nothing for their kids.

The drawings are a way of giving refugee or migrant kids "a very personal and friendly welcome to their new home country," BtN said.

"When I arrived to Australia in 2003 as a refugee, we had the most dignified warm welcome any family could ask for," chief executive of Welcome Australia Mohammad Al-Khafaji said in a statement in September.

"I found a beautiful picture with the message 'welcome' in our house. That small act of kindness brought tears to my eyes as a 13 year old and that message was the most powerful gesture to welcome us to our new country."

Welcome message finalist says Australia welcomes you with open arms. ( Supplied )

Welcome message finalist draws what she loves about Australia. ( Supplied )

Welcome message finalist writes 'welcome to Australia," adding the hashtag #youneedtovisitthebeach. ( Supplied )

A welcome message finalist draws the botanic garden and says her favourite thing about Australia is the "weather". ( Supplied )

A welcome message finalist draws Australia with famous landmarks. ( Supplied )

Welcome message finalist draws Seal Rocks. ( Supplied )