Economist Sean Turnell arrived back in Australia on Friday, where he was reunited with his wife Ha Vu, after he was detained for almost two years in Myanmar.

"I appreciate the efforts of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian government and thank the whole community of Australia for their support," Prof Turnell told AAP.

"I still love the people of Myanmar."

But human rights advocates have warned of the true scale of arbitrarily detained people in the country and called on the international community to respond to the violations.

More than 15,700 people are believed to have been detained by the military and police, with at least 2300 killed.

Human Rights Watch Asia director Elaine Pearson said Mr Turnell and others jailed "should never have spent one second in prison".

"Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and other governments should demand the Myanmar military immediately release all political prisoners since the coup," she said.

Prof Turnell was freed on Thursday under an amnesty covering close to 6000 prisoners to celebrate Myanmar's National Victory Day.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government remained deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar and would continue to advocate for the release of the remaining political prisoners.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the government should consider stepping up pressure on Myanmar's military dictatorship by imposing sanctions.

"The coalition continues to offer support to the government to impose suitable sanctions and to encourage other like-minded nations, especially those of ASEAN nations, to send a clear message to the military junta," he said.

Australian Associated Press