Police in Australia say they do not intend to charge Oscar-winning director Mel Gibson over an allegation that he shoved and abused a photographer who snapped pictures of him and his new girlfriend.

Daily Telegraph staff photographer Kristi Miller complained to police about the August 23 altercation with Gibson after he and girlfriend Rosalind Ross were photographed leaving a movie in Paddington, Sydney.

Police said in a statement that the matter was "investigated thoroughly" and, based on the evidence gathered, "no formal action will be taken".

Gibson's Sydney lawyer Christopher Murphy was informed of the police decision and his publicist said: "Mel Gibson has totally denied from the onset these disgraceful allegations."

The actor-director's films include Braveheart, the Lethal Weapon series and recently The Expendables franchise.