Muhammad Khattal was born at Wollongong Hospital at 12.03am, to doting parents Rabha and Aimen, both from Libya.

Unlike his two older siblings, Muhammad was born with minimum fuss and labour, Mrs Khattal said.

"When I came to the hospital the midwife said I was ready to have the baby," she said.

"It was a quick labour - the last one was two days.

"I called my mother in Libya to tell her the news, she was worried because of past labours."

While the Khattal family nursed their newborn, they received a surprise from Wollongong's Australia Day committee.

Co-ordinator Robyn Hampton delivered flowers and vouchers to the proud parents.

The gifts included a night's accommodation at the Novotel, $100 to spend at My Baby Warehouse, $100 from The Palace Hair and Body, and a commemorative Australia Day spoon.

The Libyan family moved to Australia a year ago on a student visa so Mrs Khattal could complete a masters degree in public health and nutrition at Wollongong University.

The 28-year-old said she was looking forward to taking her education and experience back to her country to improve its healthcare system.

"I didn't know Australia was that far away, but I chose it because my major was available here and at the time it was easy to get a visa," she said.

Even though she missed her family, Mrs Khattal said she enjoyed being in Australia.