Charges have been laid against Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old alleged to have carried out Sunday's attack at Bondi Beach with his father, NSW Police said on Wednesday.
Akram was charged with 59 offences by the NSW joint counter terrorism team, including 15 counts of murder, one per victim, and one count of committing a terrorist act.
He was charged with 40 counts of wounding with intent to murder and single counts of discharging a firearm in public, causing a public display of a prohibited terrorist symbol and placing an explosive in or near a building with intent to cause harm.
He has declined to be interviewed by the police, according to authorities.
Akram has been in a critical condition in hospital and has been under police surveillance since the massacre.
Akram's 50-year-old father, Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the attack, legally obtained the guns used in the attack, police say.
Twenty people remain in hospital with injuries sustained in the injuries as of Wednesday afternoon.
"Those who died are still in the process of being formally identified; however, police believe their ages range between 10 and 87," authorities said in a statement.
"Police will allege in court the man engaged in conduct that caused death, serious injury and endangered life to advance a religious cause and cause fear in the community.
Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by the self-proclaimed Islamic State group — a listed terrorist organisation in Australia — according to police.
Meanwhile, a young police officer shot in the head during the attack at Bondi Beach has been promised he will have a job to return to, despite a severe eye injury.
Probationary Constable Jack Hibbert had only been part of the police force for four months when he was shot in the head and shoulder while patrolling Bondi Beach.
Despite his injuries, the 22-year-old continued to help those around him until he physically could not go on.
Another young officer, Constable Scott Dyson, was seriously wounded in the attack.
The constable, in the force for 18 months, underwent surgery on Wednesday and was in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
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