Fears are held for Mr Toms after a police search of waters between Nobbys Beach and Redhead yielded no result.

The search was focussed on the coastline after Mr Toms's abandoned car, a grey coloured sedan, was found at a Bar Beach car park on Wednesday morning.

Mr Toms, 51, was last seen by his wife when he left their home, in Lochend Circuit, East Maitland, about 5.30am on Tuesday to go to work.

Mr Toms is described as being white/European in appearance, stocky build, about 170 centimetres tall, clean shaven with light brown receding hair.

At the time of his disappearance he was wearing a black polo shirt and denim shorts. Contact police on 4934 0200.