Convicted paedophile George Pell has landed a job behind bars as he continues to fight his child sex conviction.

The 78-year-old former cardinal has been appointed as a gardener for Melbourne Assessment Prison.

Pell is subject to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement and requested a job to give his days purpose, a prison insider told Herald Sun.

© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited The 78-year-old former cardinal (pictured) has been appointed as a gardener for Melbourne Assessment Prison

© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited Pell is subject to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement and requested a job to change his days (pictured: Melbourne Assessment Prison)

He is asked to pull out weeds and water the native trees and plants about twice a week, and gets paid $10 a week for his hard work.

However, he is still subject to confinement while outside doing the gardening.

'He wanted a job so this is what he got,' said source told the publication.

'It's paid so it's an opportunity for him to get some canteen money. He's doing alright [at the job].'

The garden is inside the red brick courtyard and has native trees, shrubs, tables and chairs which prisoners use on their breaks.

© Provided by Associated Newspapers Limited The garden is inside the red brick courtyard and has native trees, shrubs, tables and shares which prisoners use on their breaks

Pell was found guilty in December of orally raping a 13-year-old choirboy and sexually assaulting another 13-year-old boy, grabbing his genitalia in a hallway, at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.

Only one victim was able to testify against Pell. The other died of a heroin overdose in 2014 and never reported the alleged abuse.

After his trial, the Cardinal was sentenced to six years with a non-parole period of three years and eight months.

Pell is the highest ranking member of the Catholic Church to be convicted of sex abuse, and continues to maintain his innocence.

He continues to fight to overturn his conviction and has lodged an application to the High Court seeking leave to appeal.