A Melbourne man who used the internet to exploit and abuse dozens of young children living in poverty in the Philippines has been sentenced to 11 years in jail.

Patrick Goggins, 68, pleaded guilty to more than 20 offences, including persistent abuse of a child overseas, and making and distributing child pornography.

The most serious offences involved victims as young as three years old.

The court heard most of the victims were young girls, although some young boys were also involved.

They were living in poverty and desperate for money.

Thousands of child pornography files were taken from Goggins's computer in a raid by the Australian Federal Police last year.

The Victorian County Court heard Goggins did not visit the Philippines but abused and directed the children via the internet from his home.

The court heard after he was caught Goggins told police he was "bloody stupid" but said there was "nothing wrong" with what he had done.

He told police he was "only watching, not physically doing anything" and he was "merely sponsoring the girls for money".

Goggins told police he did not want to seem like a "soft touch" by giving the children money for nothing.

Goggins showed no regard for welfare of children: judge

The court heard Goggins also claimed the girls he was exploiting were already a product of a market that they had been exposed to and he did not introduce them to it.

But in sentencing, Judge Sandra Davis said he had shown no remorse or regard for the children's welfare.

"These are very serious offences," she said.

"[They're] encouraged because of a market. Without people like you, there would be no need for children to be exploited and degraded.

"There were many victims, particularly victims overseas, that you paid and were willing to exploit for your own gratification."

Judge Davis described Goggins as immature and "a high risk of re-offending".

"This was not an isolated incident. The nature, content and volume was very serious indeed. The level of culpability is high," Judge Davis said.

His lawyers told the court Goggins had suffered from severe post traumatic stress disorder from his time as an infantry rifleman in the Vietnam War.

The court heard Goggins had an extensive history of offending, including a previous prison term for taking photographs of young girls changing into their bathers.

He was also convicted of numerous upskirting offences and was previously charged with failing to answer bail, failing to appear in court and indecent assault.

Goggins was scheduled to be sentenced a fortnight ago, but twice failed to appear in court.

His lawyer told the court he had complained of chest pain and taken himself to hospital.

Goggins will be eligible for parole in 2022 and will be a registered serious sex offender for life.