Two officers were patrolling near a Yanchep school just after midnight on Thursday when they approached Drew Christopher Lushey and he allegedly threatened them with a knife before running into nearby bushes.

Lushey was found several minutes later, allegedly armed with the large kitchen knife and a pole, and was just metres away from the officers when they fired their weapons in quick succession.

He remains in Royal Perth Hospital under police guard and has been charged with unlawful act or omission with intent to harm.

Lushey’s case was briefly heard in Perth Magistrates Court on Friday in his absence.

The matter will return to court on September 25.

On Thursday, Police Commissioner Chris Dawson praised the officers involved, saying they acted courageously.

Mr Dawson said the officers were not injured and had been given 72 hours of post critical incident leave.

The Major Crime Division and the Internal Affairs Unit are investigating the shooting, as is standard practice.