Pell did not speak during the brief filing hearing, which lasted six minutes, but his lawyer Robert Richter QC told the court the 76-year-old denies all charges.
"Cardinal Pell pleads not guilty to all the charges and will maintain his presumed innocence that he has," Mr Richter told the court.
Prosecutor Andrew Tinney told the court a deadline of September 8 has been given for police to provide its brief of evidence to Pell and his legal team.
"I can indicate that it is my expectation the brief will be delivered well before, possibly late next week."
Magistrate Duncan Reynolds has set October 6 as the date for the next mention of the matter.
Pell's defence team did not ask the magistrate to excuse the cardinal from appearing when the case returns to court.
The 76-year-old has taken leave from his position as Vatican treasurer to return to Australia to fight historical sexual offence charges involving multiple complainants.
The third most powerful person in the Catholic Church was confronted with a massive contingent of Australian and international media on his arrival at court on Wednesday morning.
Pell was shepherded into court by a group of police officers through a crush of camera operators, reporters and photographers.
Several photographers were knocked over as they climbed the steps into the court building.
Pell did not answer any questions from the media, which includes a large number from international organisations including CNN.
He was screened by court security, like everyone else, and taken to a room somewhere in the court house.
Cardinal George Pell escorted by police departs the Melbourne Magistrates Court in Melbourne, Wednesday, July 26, 2017 (AAP) Source: AAP
Several people clapped as he arrived.
As Cardinal Pell was charged on summons, he could have asked for the magistrate's permission to be excused from appearing in person and have his lawyer represent him.
The former Sydney and Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest has repeatedly denied the allegations and maintained he is innocent.
Cardinal Pell has said he is looking forward to finally having his day in court after a two-year investigation.
"News of these charges strengthens my resolve and court proceedings now offer me an opportunity to clear my name and then return to my work in Rome," he said after being charged on June 29.
