There will be zero tolerance towards any anti-social behaviour at Australia Day protests or rallies in Melbourne, Victoria Police say, with authorities preparing for potential clashes between opposing left and right groups.

Amid the official celebrations and ceremonies today, a series of national rallies will be held calling for Australia Day to be moved from January 26.

Some protesters, who will gather in Melbourne's CBD, have dubbed the public holiday "Invasion Day".

At the same time, right-wing nationalist groups the United Patriots Front and True Blue Crew are planning a gathering in St Kilda.

There have been a number of clashes in recent years between left and right groups in Melbourne, most recently outside a talk given by controversial British commentator Milo Yiannopoulos.

'Invasion Day' rallies have been held on Australia Day for a number of years. ( ABC News: Loretta Florance )

Deputy Commissioner Andrew Crisp from Victoria said police were prepared for potential clashes.

"We've planned for many contingencies … we've scenario-tested all those particular eventualities," he said.

"We are more than happy to facilitate people to engage in peaceful protest, as is everyone's right.

"However, I want to be very clear in relation to any activities … planned by any groups where you intend to overstep the mark and engage in anti-social behaviour, it won't be tolerated, in fact there will be zero tolerance."

But he encouraged families to come into the city for the planned festivities and enjoy the good weather.

Deputy Commissioner Crisp said the United Patriots Front and the True Blue Crew were intending to hold a barbeque.

"Again, have a family barbeque, enjoy yourself, that's fine. But if you intend to upset other people … then be prepared for a significant police response," he said.

Police will also enact legislation to stop people wearing face coverings in the St Kilda and CBD area.

Changing the date of Australia Day has been the topic of heated political debate in Melbourne in the lead up to this year's event, with three local councils cancelling planned celebrations in recognition of the "loss of culture" it marks for Indigenous Australians.

A motion moved by Moreland City Council last year stated the date was not appropriate as it "marks the beginning of the British invasion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands and oppression of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people".

Opposition plans to sack councils against Australia Day

The Victorian Opposition announced on Thursday that if elected to government at the end of the year, it would amend the Local Government Act to force councils to celebrate the day with citizenship ceremonies or face being sacked.

"If people want to have a debate that's what people fought and died for, I'm not saying councillors themselves can't have a debate," Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said.

Pink paint was poured over a Captain Cook statue in St Kilda overnight. ( ABC News: Guy Stayner )

"But when you're using the armoury of your government or your council to shut down our national holiday, our national celebration, what it means to be part of our country, then I think that's taking things to a whole new level."

On Wednesday night a statue of Captain Cook in St Kilda was vandalised, with pink paint poured over it, in what is believed to be a protest against the January 26 date.

Captain Cook was the British explorer credited with the first European contact with Australia's east coast in 1770.

January 26 marks the day Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove in 1788, in command of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships, and raised the Union Jack to declare the beginning of the British colony.