They are joined Paralympian are part of the group which are due to be honoured at a special ceremony in Sydney on October 16.

They include rower Kim Brennan, a three-time Olympian and winner of a gold medal at Rio 2016 in the single sculls.

Brennan is also a double world champion and has a full set of Olympic medals having won silver and bronze at London 2012.

Lydia Lassila has also been recognised after she won Olympic gold in the women's freestyle skiing aerials at Vancouver 2010.

Lassila, a five-time Olympian, went on to win a bronze medal four years later at Sochi 2014.

Also nominated is Nova Peris who represented Australia at two Olympics in two sports, including winning hockey gold at Atlanta 1996.

That success made her the first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic title, and she then competed over 400 metres at Sydney 2000 after switching to athletics.

Footballer Tim Cahill has been given the nod after making more than 100 appearances for Australia, including at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

The midfielder played for Everton and Millwall in England and was the first Australian to score at the FIFA World Cup finals, later appearing at the tournament three times.

Rower Tim McLaren has been nominated after winning an Olympic silver medal in the men's quadruple sculls at Los Angeles 1984.

He later moved into coaching and guided crews to a further six Olympic medals.

Kurt Fearnley is the Paralympian on the list after the wheelchair racer won three gold medals at the Games, as well as seven silvers and three bronze.

Completing the group is rugby league player Johnathan Thurston, winner of the World Cup with Australia in 2013 and the first three-time winner of the Golden Boot Award for the world's best player.

"Each of the athlete members have a storied career in their respective sports while Tim McLaren not only represented his country at the Games but went on to be a rowing coach at the very highest level," said AOC President Ian Chesterman.

"My congratulations to all these wonderful retired athletes who have proved to be great role models for future generations of Australians. 

"Each has an extraordinary story to tell."

Bruce McAvaney, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Selection Committee chairman, added: "In a year where the drama of sport has held us captive as a nation, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame welcomes six elite athletes and a coach who've left an indelible mark in their field. 

"Every one of this year's inductees has been instrumental in providing this country with unforgettable moments - whether it be at Summer or Winter Olympics, rugby league state of origin or football's World Cup.  

"It doesn't get any bigger or better than that. 

"Diverse in their sporting prowess, each has excelled over a lifetime, paving the way for those who follow and stamping their own mark on history."

Australian icons already in the Hall of Fame include cricketer Don Bradman, runner Cathy Freeman, swimmer Ian Thorpe and tennis player Rod Laver.