Confessed terrorism supporter David Hicks has been released from Adelaide's Yatala Prison.
Mr Hicks did not stop to speak to reporters, instead he was driven from the facility. His lawyer David McLeod read a statement on his behalf.
In it 32-year-old Mr Hicks apologised for not appearing before the media himself, but said that he was not strong enough.
He has also agreed not to talk to the media about some matters before the end of next March, as part of his conditions of release from Guantanamo Bay.
"It is my intention to honour this agreement as I don't want to do anything that might result in my return there," Mr McLeod read from the statement.
"I would ask that the media and the public understand and accept this. I do however take this opportunity to say some overdue thank-yous.
"First and foremost, I would like to recognise the huge debt of gratitude that I owe the Australian public for getting me home."
Mr Hicks's father Terry says he spoke to his son for a short time before his release and says it might take a while for him to get used to being a free man.
"I asked him how he was feeling, but he still hadn't properly handled it at the time. All he had to do was walk out that door," he said.
Supporters of Mr Hicks hope his release will mean a clean break for him, but his new life will begin under strict conditions.
An interim control order requires Hicks to report to police three times a week and comply with a curfew.
Hicks was transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Adelaide's Yatala jail nine months ago, where he had to serve the remainder of his sentence for providing material support for terrorism.