Nine Australians who worked with an international team to rescue 12 young boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave system in Thailand earlier this month have been honoured with prestigious bravery awards.

After Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sought to fast-track the process, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove on Tuesday bestowed official honours to all nine Australians involved in the search and rescue mission.

Two divers among that group described as "the linchpins of the entire operation" that unfolded over 18 days to free the Wild Boars from the Tham Luang cave received the Star of Courage for their part in the rescue.

Here are all of those honoured: Richard Harris (Star of Courage, OAM)

(Star of Courage, OAM) Craig Challen (Star of Courage, OAM)

(Star of Courage, OAM) Justin John Bateman (Bravery Medal, OAM)

(Bravery Medal, OAM) Kelly Craig Boers (Bravery Medal, OAM)

(Bravery Medal, OAM) Benjamin Walter Cox (Bravery Medal, OAM)

(Bravery Medal, OAM) Troy Matthew Eather (Bravery Medal, OAM)

(Bravery Medal, OAM) Matthew Peter Fitzgerald (Bravery Medal, OAM)

(Bravery Medal, OAM) Robert Michael James (Bravery Medal, OAM)

(Bravery Medal, OAM) Christopher John Markcrow (Bravery Medal, OAM)

Anaesthetist Richard Harris and his dive partner Craig Challen were presented the second-highest Australian bravery decoration for "acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril".

Dr Harris conducted initial medical assessments on the boys and advised authorities on the safest extraction methods. On the day of evacuation, he gave the medical all-clear for each boy and administered anaesthesia before they left the cave.

Dr Challen assisted with de-kitting the boys of their diving equipment after they had made it through the first flooded section of the evacuation route, helped carry them through to the next section and prepared them for the next dive.

Dr Harris was the last person out of the cave.

Richard Harris and Craig Challen have been cave diving together for years. ( ABC News: Tamara Penniket )

Bravery medals were awarded to six members of the Australian Federal Police and one Navy chief petty officer for their contribution to the search and rescue mission.

The AFP's Special Response Group included Senior Constable Justin John Bateman, Leading Senior Constable Kelly Craig Boers, Detective Leading Senior Constable Benjamin Walter Cox, First Constable Matthew Peter Fitzgerald, Acting Station Sergeant Robert Michael James, and Detective Leading Senior Constable Christopher John Markcrow.

Chief Petty Officer Troy Matthew Eather, from the Royal Australian Navy, was part of the clearance diving team working to free the boys and their coach.

"These individuals were faced with an enormous challenge … it would take every ounce of skill and professionalism they had, as part of the broader international effort, but, more than that it would take character, grit and determination," the Governor-General's official secretary Mark Fraser said.

All nine Australians involved were also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the international community through their specialist response roles.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Prime Minister welcomed home "our heroes" from Thailand, noting their arduous work throughout the rescue mission.

"During the World Cup the most inspiring story about football was not in Russia, it was in Thailand. And the most inspiring teams were not Les Bleus but the Wild Boars, and you," Mr Turnbull said.

"Your first dives were done without a proper guide rope. There was no defined path through those dark waters. You had to feel your way through the twists and turns of the cave system, with the very real threat all the time of being tangled and trapped.

"It's impossible to overstate how dangerous was your task."

Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove bestowed official honours to all nine Australians involved in the search and rescue mission. ( ABC News: Tamara Penniket )

Divers 'not sure why the spotlight is on us'

The Governor-General noted Dr Harris and Dr Challen had insisted their efforts were not exceptional, giving credit to all of those involved in the international mission.

"In gathering the information supporting this recognition, those who did the research reported two invariable elements of your responses: first, that others involved did wonderful work; also that you were not exceptional, you are just doing your bit," Sir Peter said.

"None of us will dispute the former. On the latter, we think that you were remarkable. Skilful. Tireless. Compassionate and courageous.

"Your nation is so proud of you. Today, Australia salutes you."

Craig Challen (L) and Richard Harris (C) were awarded the Star of Courage by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove (R). ( ABC News: Tamara Penniket )

Speaking after the ceremony, Dr Harris emphasised again how many people had been involved in the rescue effort.

"We just went cave diving for a few days and were able to get the kids out … these awards have been completely unexpected and we're just trying to emphasise how big a part so many people played in this," he said.

"We're not quite sure why the spotlight has shone on us as a pair, but it is all quite exciting, but we just need to get back to work and stop my head swelling and start to relax."

Dr Challen said the difficult part of the operation had been working with such young children.

"Cave diving is what we do. That part didn't require anything special," he said.

"But what we are not used to is holding these little humans in our hands and their faith completely up to us.

"What we did at the time made all the difference between them surviving and not."