Appearing in the Kilis Criminal Court on Tuesday the Melbourne-born jihadist admitted being a member of Islamic State but said he had nothing to do with the group in Australia.
"The charge of being a member of Islamic State, I admit to it, I was.
"But on the other charge of being a leader of an organisation in Australia, that I had nothing to do with," News Corp Australia reported him saying.
The 26-year-old appeared by video link from a prison north of Kilis.
He faces charges in Australia over his promotion of Islamic State and his recruitment of militants to fight for the group in Syria and carry out attacks in Australia.
