In the ultimate honour for any proud Australian, he has made the Queen's Birthday Honours List for 2019.

Mr Jackman, 50, says being appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia -the highest merit in the country's only order of chivalry - is "especially emotional and humbling".

"I am an immensely proud Australian, and am so grateful for the opportunities I have received by being raised there," he said.

His contributions to the performing arts and the global community helped him achieve this honour, with his portrayal as Wolverine in the X-Men films among the many on-screen performances lauded in the honours list.

Mr Jackman's stage career has also been celebrated, with impressive roles in Broadway plays including The River, A Steady Rain and The Boy from Oz.

The Sydney man's achievements go well beyond acting, with his contributions to the global community also helping his appointment as a Companion.

Mr Jackman's philanthropic efforts include as a benefactor for the Fight Cancer Foundation since 1996 and about ten years raising funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

"The countless teachers, mentors, institutions who have supported me along the way are immeasurable, and I will always be in my country's debt," he said.

He isn't the only actor to make the Queen's Birthday Honours List this year.

Joining him are both Eric Bana and Sigrid Thornton, who have been appointed a Member and an Officer of the Order of Australia respectively.

Mr Bana's parents made a similar decision to Mr Jackman's. After all, the two actors are born just a couple of months apart.

"The first thing I did when I found out about the award was think of my parents," Mr Bana said.

His Croatian father and German mother both made the long boat journey to Australia after World War II.

The 50-year-old from Melbourne insists Monday's acknowledgement came as a complete surprise and that it was "not at all something that had occurred to me on my radar".

"It's a really nice and lovely acknowledgement," Mr Bana said.

Mr Bana has previously spoke of his father's struggles with racism in Australia, but believes he would be "really, really proud and thrilled" with this achievement.

Since Mr Bana's television debut on Tonight Live with Steve Vizard in 1993, he has gone on to appear in some of Hollywood's most recognisable blockbusters.

These include the 2004 film Troy, where he played Trojan prince Hector alongside Brad Pitt and his role as the Hulk in 2003.

Like his friend Mr Jackman, Mr Bana has made philanthropic efforts of his own, including as an ambassador for Youth Off the Streets since 2004 and as Patron of the Australian Childhood Foundation for 11 years.

Ms Thornton has been recognised for her contribution to the performing arts across film, television and stage.

She has many theatre credits including Black Swan State Theatre Company's production of A Streetcar Named Desire and Opera Australia's A Little Night Music.

On television, she has been in popular series Seachange, Wentworth and Underbelly.

Ms Thornton has also contributed to many professional arts organisations through board roles. She currently sits on the board of the National Institute of Dramatic Arts and was previously on the Australian Film Institute board.

Australian Associated Press