Australian para-rower Jed Altschwager has announced his retirement, three months after making history by winning gold at the Paris Paralympic Games.

Altschwager teamed up with Nikki Ayers to win the PR3 mixed double sculls at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, giving Australia its first Paralympic gold medal in para-rowing.

The pair entered the Paris Games as favourites after claiming gold at last year's world championships in Belgrade.

"It's hard to put all the words out on the table, all the emotions, all the feelings," Altschwager said.

"I can't express my gratitude enough to the people that have helped me along my journey, that have been along for the ride.

"People close to me and people that I have connected with along the way … thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Altschwager's para-rowing career began after he underwent an amputation when his left foot was crushed in a workplace accident.

He was approached by Paralympics Australia's talent identification team in 2016 and made his international debut at the 2018 world championships in Plovdiv.