Ex-Hillsong preacher Pat Mesiti admits assaulting wife

Motivational speaker and former Hillsong preacher Pasquale 'Pat' Mesiti has admitted assaulting his wife on New Year's Eve.

The 56-year-old, who describes himself on his website as an "income acceleration coach", appeared in Sydney's Parramatta Local Court today and watched on from the public gallery as his solicitor entered a guilty plea to a charge of common assault on his behalf.

Prosecutors have agreed to drop a more serious charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Mesiti will remain out on bail until his sentencing but must comply with an apprehended violence order, which will remain in place for one year.

"In a nutshell, that means that you cannot do anything that makes her fear for her safety," Magistrate Karen Stafford told Mr Mesiti.

"If you have a glass of wine with dinner at 7pm at night, you cannot go and see her until 7am the next morning."

She also warned Mr Mesiti that if he breached the order he could spend up to two years behind bars.

Mr Mesiti did not comment as he left the court and is expected to face sentencing proceedings on March 23.