AUSTRALIA'S historic campaign for its 1000th Paralympic medal will begin today, as the Beijing Games were officially opened with a spectacular opening ceremony at the Bird's Nest stadium last night.

More than 6000 elaborately dressed performers heralded the start of the 13th Paralympic Games, where 4000 athletes from around the world will vie for 472 gold medals.

Australia, sitting on 908 medals after 48 years of Paralympic competition, is aiming to reach its 1000th in Beijing.

At the three-hour ceremony, the Games were declared officially open after a dazzling opening sequence where cartoon-coloured men and women danced in unison.

The parade of nations followed, with Australia again marching in third-last place, in accordance with the Chinese alphabet.

Six-time track-and-field gold medallist Russell Short led his team into the arena carrying the Australian flag, with more than half the country's 167 athletes choosing to march.

In stark contrast to the showy tracksuits worn by their able-bodied counterparts at the Olympics, Australia's Paralympians showed off official uniforms of sedate navy-blue suits.

The corporate look was intended for repeat use at social events.

Two days earlier only 30 Australian Paralympians had opted to take part in the opening ceremony, with numerous concerns over dehydration, muscle soreness and fatigue, as well as today's big sporting schedule.

But a mad rush in the 24 hours before the ceremony finished with registration of 125 athletes, with several Australian team officials also participating.

Six events kick off today, including the men's and women's wheelchair basketball, swimming, cycling and shooting action. AAP