A Lebanese university student had only been in Australia for a matter of weeks when he laid his eyes on his future wife.

He did not seem to mind that she was only 12-years-old.

The 26-year-old stepped off a plane in Sydney last August with a student visa and the intention of furthering his education at the University of Newcastle. At a local mosque, he met a 12-year-old girl whom he would later marry during an Islamic ceremony.

Police allege the accused took primary care of the young girl and moved with her to a home in Sydney's south-west.

In this home, he is accused of having sexual intercourse with the girl 25 times between January 1 and February 4. He told police he married the girl earlier this year and does not believe he has done anything wrong.