Kbora Ali was separated from her father for several years after he and other Afghan refugees were rescued at sea by the Australian Navy more than 20 years ago.
The 28-year-old flying officer has become one of the most junior people to deliver the Anzac Day commemorative address at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
"It's honestly the biggest honour of my whole life, being able to speak on behalf of thousands of men and women who have served before me and who are currently serving," she said following the speech.
"It's huge to be able to stand on that stage and have words that resonate with a lot of people."
She became the first female of Afghan descent to join the Australian Army in 2016, before transferring to the air force in 2022.
"Wearing the uniform, there's a sense of responsibility to give back and I felt that since I arrived in Australia, everything that we have here the opportunities and education, I feel super grateful," she said.
"I made a promise to give back when I was really young, and I could do that in uniform."
Her sister also serves in the Australian Defence Force.
About 35,000 people attended the dawn service in the nation's capital. Crowds packed the Australian War Memorial's forecourt as lines of people spilled down Anzac Parade.
A group of people performed the traditional Maori haka outside the war memorial after the service finished.
Participating later in the march, 97-year-old Korean War veteran Ted Wilson shook hands with Governor-General Sam Mostyn.
"I'm here, and the majority of servicemen are here for one reason only, and that's to honour our friends who did not come back," he said after the parade finished.
"Just lately I wondered whether I would put my medals back on. So much negative talk about it (Anzac Day) and I'm glad to see I was wrong."
Asked about Anzac Day in the context of the conflict in the Middle East, Air Force Chief Air Marshal Stephen Chappell said society understood the importance of having a "capable" military.
"It is fundamentally important to have a strong defence force, something we're focused on continuing to maintain and build every single day," he told AAP.
Air Marshal Chappell said all Australians could experience Anzac Day whether they had served or not.
"For me, the overlying emotion is one of gratitude, grateful to be living in this nation with the way of life that we have, and even more grateful for the service and the sacrifice that has allowed and protected the way of life that we enjoy today here in Australia," he said.
Australian War Memorial Director Matt Anderson said he was very proud of the increase in the number of people attending the dawn service this year.
"There's something about me standing in the privileged position I have looking back out over the crowd to just watch them as the dawn arrives," he said.
"It is a really powerful, poignant moment for me, of both personal and national pride."
Opposition defence spokesman James Paterson described the turnout as "heartwarming".
"It's such a great thing about our nation that we come together in such a solemn way to commemorate the service of our men and women in uniform over so many years," he said.
