An Australian man visiting Rio de Janiero has been placed under arrest after reportedly parachuting off a 39-story hotel roof and onto Copacabana beach.

According to local police inspector Marcio Mendonca, the 41-year-old Aussie could face up to two years behind bars for charges of endangering the public and walking through the hotel by pretending to be a guest, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

"So many tourists stay in Copacabana, I've seen about everything," the police officer said.

"But I've never seen anybody jump off a building."