A Canberra brothel operator allegedly told prospective sex workers they had to perform sex acts with him to prove they could do the job, a court has heard.

Key points: Grey faces multiple charges of rape, acts of indecency and attempted rape

Grey faces multiple charges of rape, acts of indecency and attempted rape He allegedly told the nine women they needed to perform sex acts with him to secure work

He allegedly told the nine women they needed to perform sex acts with him to secure work The prosecution told jurors they felt they needed to comply, which negated consent

Bradley Lester Grey, 54, allegedly told the nine women they needed to complete "training" as they were new to the industry and needed to know what clients expected.

Grey went on trial in the ACT Supreme Court on Monday on 16 counts of rape, 10 charges of committing acts of indecency, and one of attempted rape.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The court on Monday heard the nine women had needed money and saw online ads promising they could earn thousands of dollars each week for sex work.

The women contacted and then met with Grey between 2015 and 2017.

He allegedly took pictures and created online profiles for them to advertise their services.

But the accused also allegedly told them he needed to train them for the job.

The training allegedly included massaging and engaging in sexual acts with him, sometimes without condoms.

The prosecution told jurors that the women needed the money and felt they had to comply to get the job, which negated their consent.

The women worked for Grey afterwards.

Grey maintains innocence: defence

Prosecutor Trent Hickey said the Crown case alleged the women did not consent to the sexual acts or that consent had been negated by false representations that the sexual acts had been required as a job application.

"The law says consent that is negated, is no consent at all," Mr Hickey told the jurors.

Mr Hickey said the accused had a tendency to tell new workers he had to give them training in order to obtain sexual gratification.

Defence barrister Beth Morrisroe said Grey maintained his innocence.

Ms Morrisroe warned jurors the trial would be uncomfortable and possibly challenge their morality, but said sex work was legal and urged jurors to let the facts, not morality, guide their verdict.

The barrister told the jury the issues to be decided at law were what happened and whether consent had been obtained.

The trial before Chief Justice Helen Murrell continues on Tuesday.