A surfer in Australia says he was bitten by a shark after accidentally standing on the creature's head.

Ryan Hunt (20) was attacked while surfing at Wallabi Point on the east coast.

He had been in the water for half an hour when the shark nipped him on the foot. Mr Hunt said he shook the creature off but then it went for his leg.

He told Nine Network he had returned home from work and decided to go for a surf at about 6pm.

"I caught a wave in, got off, and then stood on a shark's head," he said.

"I was in waist-deep water and put my foot down."

"I thought it was a rock at first and then it latched on to my foot."

Mr Hunt said he kicked the shark with his other foot and after a further struggle it swam off.

He said he did not know what type of shark it was, but joked it could have been a "very large goldfish".

His foot was badly cut in the attack and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

He later posted a photo of his injuries online.