After more than a decade under house arrest or in judicial custody in London, the 52-year-old WikiLeaks founder looks set to go to ground on home soil after a dramatic exit from the UK, including a fleeting US court appearance on a Pacific island.

A jubilant Assange emerged from a charter jet in Canberra overnight filled with fist pumps, waves, thumbs up and hugs and kisses for family.

Hours after pleading guilty to espionage at a US court on the little-known island of Saipan, the convicted criminal was free in his homeland but not ready to face the public.

“I ask you – please – to give us space, to give us privacy, to find our place, to let our family be a family before he can speak again at a time of his choosing,” wife Stella Assange said through sometimes teary eyes.

She and lawyer Jennifer Robinson, together with other WikiLeaks representatives, were left to face questions, including about the wrongdoing to which Assange pleaded guilty as part of a deal with the US which saw him released having already served jail time in London.

“There is no evidence that anyone was physically harmed as a result,” Ms Robinson said in response to questions about the impact of secret documents published by WikiLeaks.

“The public interest in those publications is clear. Evidence of war crimes, that the US had not disclosed the extent of civilian casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. The use of torture and other forms of human rights abuse around the world.”

There have been well-publicised concerns for Assange’s health – during his years-long stay at London’s Ecuadorian embassy and then in prison – and his wife said it will take some time to adjust to freedom.

“You have to understand what he’s been through. He needs time. He needs to recuperate,” she said.

Assange’s freedom came along with plentiful thanks to both sides of Australian politics, but especially Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“This is a huge win for Australia and for Australian democracy. This is a huge win for free speech,” Ms Robinson said.

“This is a huge win for Australia, that our prime minister stood up to our ally, the United States, and demanded the return of an Australian citizen.”

As the jet touched down in Canberra, Mr Albanese was the first caller to Assange.

“Julian thanked him and the team and told the prime minister that he had saved his life. And I don’t think that that is an exaggeration,” Ms Robinson said.

Mr Albanese directly raised the issue with US President Joe Biden and in September politicians from across Australia’s political spectrum converged on Washington DC to lobby US decision-makers.

For supporters like Rik Jurcevic, a writer and performer who turned up misty eyed to Wednesday’s homecoming, Assange is a courageous person who stands up for free speech and the right of the public to know what their governments are doing in their name.

The 61-year-old has supported Assange after meeting him in 2002 and then receiving a message after the encounter asking for support to found a website that would change history: WikiLeaks.

“He’s an incredibly brave man. He is no dummy. He knew that there was danger in taking on the USA,” Mr Jurcevic told AAP as he talked of the strong emotions he felt on seeing Assange in Australia.

“He’s a gutsy man. People are here for him but also for what he stands for. I hope he has a great long rest and then I would love to see him taking WikiLeaks forward.”