Mr Quinlivan went missing at Pebbly Beach - about 30km north of Batemans Bay - after attempting to rescue a 22-year-old man who had been swept off the rocks on October 10.

A tourist discovered the decomposed body at Pebbly Beach at about 7.30am yesterday.

It is believed the body washed up during high tide.

Police are yet to identify it.

NSW Police have nominated MrQuinlivan for an award for his actions in attempting to rescue the 22-year-old man who managed to return to shore an hour after he was washed into the surf.

Police and emergency services searched the land and water in the Pebbly Beach area for three days but were unable to locate him.

The medical administrator had spent 25 years working in Central Australian communities before moving to Canberra one year ago.

He was walking with one of his two daughters at the time of the incident.

His family, friends and colleagues paid tribute to a caring father and a man determined to improve the standard of living for indigenous Australians.

NSW Police will prepare a report for the coroner, with a post-mortem to be conducted.