John Jarratt, of Wolf Creek fame, to stand trial over alleged 1976 rape

By Mazoe Ford

Wolf Creek actor John Jarratt has been committed to stand trial in the NSW District Court on a charge of rape from 1976.

Key points:

·         Due to a crushing court schedule, the trial will not be held next year

·         The allegations against Mr Jarratt date to 1976

·         His lawyer says it will be a "short, sharp" trial

Mr Jarratt sat in the front row of the public gallery when his matter was heard.

Since being charged in August, Mr Jarratt's court appearances have been in local courts, but due to the seriousness of the charge, the case has now been referred up to the District Court.

The 66-year-old stood and nodded as the magistrate committed him for trial, which will be held late next year due to a busy District Court schedule.

His lawyer told the court it would be a "short, sharp" trial.

Mr Jarratt did not answer questions from journalists outside court.

It is alleged Mr Jarratt, who was 24 at the time, sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman at a house in Randwick, in the city's eastern suburbs, in September 1976.

The woman made a report to officers at the Eastern Beaches Police Area Command in December 2017 and a formal investigation began.

Mr Jarratt has pleaded not guilty and will appear in the District Court on December 7 where he will be required to formally enter his plea and a trial date will be set.

"It will be a short, sharp trial when we're ready to go," the actor's solicitor, Bryan Wrench, told the court.

The 66-year-old is best known for his starring role of Mick Taylor in the 2005 Australian horror film Wolf Creek.

He graduated from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) in 1973 and has appeared in many Australian television shows including Play School, A Country Practice and McLeod's Daughters.

Mr Jarrett also had a long stint as a presenter on lifestyle show Better Homes and Gardens.