Jarratt maintains he is innocent of rape

Australian actor John Jarratt maintains he is innocent of a rape charge dating back to the 1970s which has put his career on hold.

The 66-year-old did not appear in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday and his matter was adjourned by magistrate Alison Viney until October 23 to set a date for confirmation of future proceedings.

"He's an actor, his career has been put on suspension pending this allegation. We'd like to put this case in the express lane to a trial date," his lawyer Bryan Wrench said.

"He will not be entering any pleas of guilty, it will be a not guilty plea all the way."

Jarratt is accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Randwick, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, in September 1976.

He is best known for his lead role in the movie Wolf Creek and its sequel, having also appeared on Australian television shows McLeod's Daughters and Play School.

Jarratt's alleged victim came forward in December 2017 and he was charged with one count of rape in August.

Mr Wrench said while the upcoming "case conference" is a formality, it will be kept "very short" as the delay is affecting his client.