A man is in a critical condition in hospital after he was shot by a police officer in the NSW southern highlands.

Police said the 22-year-old man was shot in the chest by a senior constable on Short Street at Bowral about 6am on Saturday.

Police said the shooting occurred after the man made threats against a number of officers.

They had been trying to negotiate with the man at the time of the shooting, police said in a statement.

The man was taken to Liverpool hospital where he is in a critical but stable condition.

Police are due to address the media at 1pm.