The 84-year-old man fell overboard from cruise liner The Sun Princess approximately 175 nautical miles, or 300km, east of Sydney around 9pm.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority has tasked a search aircraft, but a spokesman told SBS that the sea conditions were concerning.
“ASMA is gravely concerned for his welfare,” he said.
Swells of two to three metres were reported overnight, as well as windy conditions.
The Sun Princess said in a statement the ship had turned around and retraced its path off the coast of the state after its crew performed a thorough check of the vessel.
The cruise liner was scheduled to arrive in Sydney this morning.
"Sun Princess' arrival in Sydney will be delayed and the next cruise will be impacted," Princess Cruises said in a statement.
MORE TO COME.
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