The Tasmanian Police Commissioner Jack Johnston is to contest allegations he passed on confidential police information to government ministers.

The 58-year-old was granted bail after being charged this morning with two counts of disclosing official secrets.

Jack Johnston pleaded not guilty to the charges during a brief appearance in the Magistrates Court in Hobart.

As he walked into the dock, the Commissioner smiled and waved to his family and friends sitting in the back of the courtroom.

Among those supporters was former Deputy Premier Max Bingham.

It is alleged that in April, Johnston disclosed official secrets by alerting the then Premier Paul Lennon about a police investigation involving the appointment of a new Solicitor General.

Johnston is also accused of forwarding a secret briefing document about that investigation to the state's Police Minister.

Johnston's lawyer David Gunson asked that the matter be adjourned until February when his client will appear in the Criminal Court in Hobart.