The Australian Federal Police said the victim's right achilles tendon was cut and he suffered injuries to his left leg and his fingers in a horrific attack allegedly carried out by 36-year-old student Ivan Terrence Torbert, of Florey.

Torbert allegedly swung the machete at the victim's head and chest, but the man fought him off with a bicycle tyre.

Magistrate Peter Dingwell said the allegations were extremely violent and he denied Torbert's application for bail on Saturday morning.

"In my view, if granted bail, he would be a danger to others in the community," he said.

Torbert allegedly tracked the victim down to a property at the A'Beckett Court Flats in Watson on September 26, where the man had been working on a friend's car and was preparing to leave.

A statement of police facts tendered to the court said Torbert attacked without warning, striking the victim from behind with the machete, cutting into the base of his right leg before landing a blow to his other leg which cut so deeply it broke off a section of leg bone.

The court was told Torbert had previously accused the victim of stealing from him, which the man had denied.

In support of Torbert's bail application the court was told he suffered from schizophrenia which he took medication for and he had a coming appointment with mental health staff on October 15.

He had also successfully complied with a previous 18-month good behaviour bond and would be willing to comply with bail conditions prohibiting him from entering the hospital where were victim was being treated.

Torbert, who has been charged with one count of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm over the attack, and will appear in court again on Monday, October 13.