Freed Australian journalist Peter Greste is determined to see his colleagues walk out of the same Egyptian jail from where he was just released, his brother says.

Andrew Greste told a Brisbane press conference Peter's excitement at being pardoned was "restrained" while fellow Al Jazeera employees Baher Mohamed, a producer, and Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fahmy, were still behind bars.

"Straight up he's not going to forget his two other colleagues," Andrew Greste said.

The family of Australia journalist Peter Greste have thanked everyone who helped secure his release from an Egyptian jail after 400 days, jokingly suggesting they’re all deserving of knighthoods.

Australian journalist Peter Greste pictured during his trial in Cairo last year. (AP) (AP)

“Peter Greste is a free man," brother Andrew Greste announced as he and his parents, Lois and Juris, faced a press conference in Brisbane this morning.

"He's safe, healthy and very, very happy to be on his way home."

Greste is now in Cyprus after being deported from Egypt and is expected to return home to Australia in the coming days.

Peter Greste held in a cage in the courtroom. (AP) (Getty Images)

The Al Jazeera reporter was allowed to leave Egypt overnight on the order of Egypt's president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, under a new law permitting foreign prisoners to be deported.

Greste was sentenced to seven years for spreading false news and aiding the Muslim Brotherhood of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Today, his family acknowledged the work of everyone from Australia Government and its consular team in Egypt to supportive friends and family members and local fixers who had assisted them in Cairo.

“While we’re in a knighthood mood - I’d like to recommend them for a collective knighthood,” Juris joked.

"This couldn't have happened without the support from you. Mum, dad, Mike and I are just small cogs in this massive campaign and we are continually humbled by people's generosity and outpouring of support," Andrew Greste said.

He particularly singled out a local fixer, who “had to be one of my best mates”, but refused to name him for his own safety.

“We couldn’t have functioned in Cairo without that guy and his group of lieutenants who helped us along the way.”

Greste was arrested with fellow Al-Jazeera reporter, Canadian-Egyptian Mohamed Fahmy and Egyptian Al-Jazeera colleague Baher Mohamed.

Mike and Andrew Greste, brothers of jailed Australian journalist Peter Greste. (AAP) (AAP)

Mohamed had been sentenced to 10 years while Fahmy had been sentenced to seven years.

“Peter was arrested with Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy and they also deserve to be free," he said.

“Peter won't rest until they're released from prison and we hope that will follow in the very near future."

Mostefa Souag, acting Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network said: "We’re pleased for Peter and his family that they are to be reunited. It has been an incredible and unjustifiable ordeal for them, and they have coped with incredible dignity.

"Peter’s integrity is not just intact, but has been further enhanced by the fortitude and sacrifice he has shown for his profession of informing the public.

"We will not rest until Baher (Mohamed) and Mohamed (Fahmy) also regain their freedom. The Egyptian authorities have it in their power to finish this properly today, and that is exactly what they must do."

Egypt issued a decree in November granting its president the power to deport foreign defendants convicted or accused of crimes.

It may now provide hope for Fahmy, as a dual citizen.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said consular assistance had been provided to Greste in Cyprus.

"From my discussion with him, he was very keen to be back on a beach and lying in the sun in Australia," she said.

Events moved very quickly overnight with the minister saying Greste was given short notice he would be released "unconditionally".

"We moved as fast as we could to make arrangements for his immediate departure," Ms Bishop said.

"He will make his way home in his own time.

"He wants a bit of rest and recreation and to be re-united with friends and family as soon as possible."