Australian man bitten by shark while swimming at a beach near Newcastle

The shark attack happened at One Mile Beach at Port Stephens, north of Newcastle. Image / Google Maps

A man has been mauled by a shark while swimming at One Mile Beach at Port Stephens, near Newcastle.

The 50-year-old was bitten on the bicep around 8am today, the Daily Mail reported.

He was treated by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter at the scene and was rushed to hospital shortly after.

The attack happened just hours after a rotting whale carcass was removed from the shoreline.

The beach had been closed for most of the week because of the whale - which washed ashore on Tuesday.

Port Stephens Council believed the whale could be behind the increased shark presence in the area.

The attack comes the morning after a surfer was attacked by a great white at Baylys Beach, in Northland.

The victim, a man in his 20s from Whangārei, sustained moderate injuries in the Northland attack, which happened around 6pm yesterday.

He was flown to Whangārei Hospital. A hospital spokesperson this morning said the man had been transferred to a ward, and was in a stable condition.