The youth from Colly Blue competed against 31 contestants in the junior 8-13 years category in the annual event in Kurri Kurri.

Tom paraded alongside other juniors at the Chelmsford Hotel and was judged on his hairdo before the winners were announced.

He was beaten out by Zye Gelfius from Victoria who is said to have worn "budgie smugglers only" on stage.

Tom said he had been growing his mullet for "a bit over two years" and he wanted to enter Mulletfest last year but didn't get his entry in on time.

This year, more than $6000 was raised through the event for the Mark Hughes Foundation, which funds brain cancer research.

The hair-raising event first kicked off in 2018, attracting 143 entries and international media attention.

Read also:

Tom said he would like to enter Mulletfest again next year but for the moment, he is preparing to say goodbye to his mullet.

The 10-year-old is seeking donations for the Mark Hughes Foundation for his big shave at the Spring Ridge Royal Hotel in the coming weeks.

His dad Dwayne says "I don't think I'll recognise him if he shaves it off."

"It's a good laugh. It suits him," he said.