Sixteen of Just Cuts leading hairdressers flew in from around Australia to cut the hair of 409 people, smashing the existing world record by a team of hairdressers by 50.
Wesley Haircut for homelessness has been promoting the issue of homelessness and raising much needed funds for homeless people during Homeless Persons' Week (5-12 August).
Shortly before 4 pm in Sydney's Martin Place, Sean Collins from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, was the 360th person to have a haircut.
"I haven't had a haircut in seven months so I guess I qualify," he quipped as he helped create history.
The record attempt began at 9 am and finished at 5 pm with 409 haircuts counted by the official adjudicators, Schwarzkopf professional stylists.
The criteria set by Guinness required that event participants had at least eight centimetres of hair at the start of each haircut.
The CEO of Wesley Mission the Rev Dr Keith Garner said the event was more than just a world record but an opportunity to put homelessness in the public eye.
"You've done a wonderful job but you also have been part of something special, especially for those people who are homeless and disadvantaged," Dr Garner said as he thanked Just Cuts hairdressers and event organisers. "You are part of a new world record – something you will remember. But those who you have helped will also remember this day long into the future."
Apart from raising funds for homeless services, the event is also building community understanding about the relationship between a healthy, positive self-image and the current experience of homeless people.
Around 100,000 Australians are homeless and 17 per cent of all homeless people are under the age of 12.
Just Cuts salons across Australia will also be accepting cash donations until 13 August. People can also donate online at www.wesleymission.org.au/donate. The event was also supported by media partner Hope 103.2 FM.