Hinch was sacked by Melbourne radio station 3AW (owned by Fairfax Media, which also owns The Age) in August after working there for 10 years.

His new role at Seven will include appearances on Sunday Night, Seven News and Sunrise.

"My doctor says I've got a Rolls-Royce liver," he said, referring to his liver transplant last year.

"Now I'm back at the Rolls-Royce network. I can't wait to get started."

Hinch has worked as a journalist in Australia for more than five decades. Between 1988 and 1992 he fronted the Hinch program on Channel Seven.

His contract with 3AW expires in November. He will host the station's top-rating drive slot program until then.

Seven's current affairs chief Peter Meakin credited Hinch's "passion and commitment".

"[Derryn] is an unapologetic crusader – often controversial, but never boring," Meakin said.

"We are delighted to welcome him back to Seven and look forward to him making waves."

Hinch, who starts work with Seven immediately, wrote on his blog today that he was sad to be leaving 3AW.

"A lot of listeners have grown up and grown old with me and from emails and letters and Tweets I know a lot of people aren't happy with my departure. But it wasn't my decision," he wrote.

The 68-year-old journalist described his return to Seven as "in a way ... going home".

"I'll still be talking about the things that concern you, but to a national audience," he wrote.

"I'll still be the rebel with too many causes."