The senior public servant at the centre of one of WA's biggest corruption scandals is set to plead guilty to more than 530 charges of stealing $22 million in public funds over a period of 11 years, his lawyer has said.

Key points: Paul Whyte appeared in court after being discharged from hospital last night

Paul Whyte appeared in court after being discharged from hospital last night His lawyer said he expected his client would receive a lengthy jail term

His lawyer said he expected his client would receive a lengthy jail term Mr Whyte attempted to take his life ahead of a "tell-all" interview with police

Former Department of Communities assistant director general Paul Whyte and his associate, Jacob Anthonisz, were informed about the new charges through their lawyers yesterday and appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court.

Mr Whyte's appearance came following his discharge last night from hospital where he had been held as an "involuntary patient" after trying to take his own life at his Mosman Park home about a month ago.

The suicide attempt came three days after he and Mr Anthonisz were originally charged with the theft of $2.5 million, although the court was told at the time it was likely that sum would increase.

Mr Anthonisz has not yet indicated how he would plead to the charges.

Police prosecutor Ben Procopis applied to the court to have Mr Whyte's bail revoked because of the extra charges and the increased seriousness of the case.

Included as part of the application was an affidavit detailing Mr Whyte's suicide attempt, with the court hearing he had left a detailed note in which he appeared to have made "admissions".

Whyte planned 'tell-all interview'

Mr Whyte's lawyer, Michael Tudori, opposed the revocation of bail saying the "incident' was not a lawful reason for his client to be kept in custody.

Magistrate Dean Potter granted Mr Whyte bail of $1.5 million with a similar surety.

Mr Tudori said the attempt to take his own life happened because Mr Whyte had planned to give police "a tell-all" interview, but got himself so worked up about it and the media's scrutiny of him that he found himself in "a very dark place".

Paul Whyte was previously a senior executive in the WA Department of Communities. ( ABC News: Hugh Sando )

Mr Tudori denied that it was an attempt by Mr Whyte to "avoid justice".

"There was a lot of humiliation. He got himself in such a dark place … he wishes he could turn back time. He's grateful his life didn't end. He's got a wife and three children."

Mr Tudori said while Mr Whyte was in hospital he conducted three lengthy interviews with police in which he provided a lot of information.

He also said Mr Whyte would eventually be pleading guilty.

"As night follows day a lengthy jail term is coming." he said.

In reply, Sergeant Procopis outlined all the allegations against Mr Whyte, revealing details of an alleged false invoice scheme by which public funds from the Department of Communities were paid into bank accounts controlled by Mr Anthonisz between 2008 and this year.

Paul Whyte's house in the exclusive Perth suburb of Mosman Park was raided by police. ( ABC News: Rick Harvey )

Three 'shelf' companies facilitated theft, police claim

The court heard the false invoices were made out to three companies — iValuate, Boldline and Quadrant Analytics — which Sergeant Procopis said had no workforce or employees and were controlled by Mr Anthonisz.

"They were essentially shelf companies," he said.

The court heard the alleged theft started in 2008, when 10 false invoices were submitted to the department and more than $170,000 was paid to iValuate.

The amounts paid varied over the next 11 years, but one of the largest sums was in 2012 when 26 allegedly false invoices were submitted and $2.7 million was paid to Boldline.

Jacob Anthonisz has been released on bail. ( ABC News: Hugh Sando )

Sergeant Propocis said payments to the companies were "approved unilaterally" by Mr Whyte, who also had bankcards that allowed him access to the three companies' bank accounts.

He said the alleged offences came to light when department staff identified payments to the companies, which did not have contracts with the department.

The court heard the money was allegedly spent on personal expenses and bills, including paying a stud in New Zealand because the two men were co-owners of a horse.

Bail renewed for both defendants

Police also applied to revoke Mr Anthonisz's bail, but it was rejected after his lawyer, Linda Black, argued the new charges had not been listed properly and they should not be heard in court until next week.

He was released on bail until then.

After granting Mr Whyte bail, Mr Potter said while the seriousness of the case had increased, Mr Whyte was aware from an earlier court appearance that he was likely to face more charges.

Police wanted to revoke bail for Mr Anthonisz, but the request was rejected. ( Supplied: Kisses in Chaos )

Mr Potter said since then Mr Whyte had met with investigating officers, given an "admissible account of his conduct" and had indicated it was likely he going to plead guilty.

He said concerns for Mr Whyte's welfare were alleviated because two psychiatrists had found he was fit enough to be discharged, and a treatment plan had been put in place for him.

Mr Whyte also had longstanding ties to Western Australia and had not sought to interfere with witnesses or obstruct justice — rather he had co-operated with police by giving them a lengthy interview.

The bail conditions included that Mr Whyte reports to police every day and does not contact his co-accused or any current or former employees of the Department of Communities.

'There is a presumption that you get bail'

Outside the court Mr Tudori said he was not surprised his client's bail was granted.

"Obviously there was an incredible political influence and displeasure he was given bail on the first occasion, but I stress he should have been given bail on the first occasion and the magistrate now saw through that and granted him bail," he said.

Police raided Paul Whyte's home last month. ( Supplied: WA Police )

"There is still a presumption that you get bail. There are some charges where the presumption is you don't — you don't get bail for murder or incredibly serious violent crimes — but even though with the amount that is alleged here, there's still a presumption to bail."

Mr Tudori also said his client's mental health had improved since he had been admitted to hospital.

"His headspace is good, you know, he's in a good place. Obviously there's a lot he needs to work on, rebuilding bridges and those things, but he's in a good headspace."

He said the guilty pleas were likely when he could reach agreement with prosecutors about the amount of money that was involved.

Mr Whyte is due back in court in February.