Bruce Lehrmann appears in court over alleged rape of Brittany Higgins, has case delayed due to COVID-19

Former political staffer Brittany Higgins alleges she was raped by a colleague at Parliament House in 2019.  (AAP: Dean Lewins)

Lawyers for the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in 2019 have asked for more time to prepare their case before he is committed to the ACT Supreme Court for trial.

Bruce Lehrmann, 26, has already indicated he will plead not guilty.

He appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday for the first time by telephone, from Queensland.

Mr Lehrmann was summonsed on the charge earlier this year.

Bruce Lehrmann dialled in to court proceedings. (Supplied)

He was charged after an investigation, prompted by a complaint lodged by Ms Higgins.

The ACT's Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold said his case is ready to proceed to trial.

But Mr Lehrmann's lawyers said they have not been able to have a proper conference with him because of COVID-19 restrictions.

On Thursday, Magistrate Beth Campbell gave Mr Lehrmann's lawyer three more weeks to prepare the case.

The case will return in November, when it is expected Mr Lehrmann will be committed for trial in the ACT Supreme Court.