A Canberra student accused of trying to murder his tutor and classmates made a bid for freedom on Thursday.

Alex Leonard Ophel, 18, was arrested on August 25 after he allegedly stood up during his Australian National University statistics class and attacked his teacher with a baseball bat.

Other students intervened and Mr Ophel allegedly redirected his attack towards them.

He has pleaded not guilty by way of mental impairment to four counts of attempted murder and one of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm.

In the ACT Magistrates Court on Thursday, Mr Ophel made a bid for release.

Special Magistrate Margaret Hunter will make a decision on the bail application after lunch.

Defence barrister John Purnell SC said there was a place available for Mr Ophel at Brian Hennessy house, a residential mental health centre.

He said that at the house there was a secure area as well as a non-secure area.

Mr Purnell asked the magistrate to consider what the man's psychiatrist had said in a report, and her own comfort in Mr Ophel being at the facility, that the man was secure and not a danger to society.

The barrister said mental health staff were able to take Mr Ophel from the prison to Brian Hennessy house.

But prosecutors opposed the man's release, citing a risk he would endanger the safety of others and commit further offences.

Sara Gul, from the office of the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court there was a presumption against Mr Ophel getting bail.

She said there was no special and exceptional circumstances that warranted his release.

Ms Hunter asked the prosecutor whether she thought that someone who had a mental health issue and could go to be treated was not a special and exceptional circumstance.

Ms Gul replied that the man was already receiving treatment in the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

The prosecutor said he had expressed violent fantasies.

While there may be better or more suitable treatment options outside the prison, that did not amount to special and exceptional circumstances, she said.

There are five alleged victims and Mr Ophel faces four counts of attempted murder and one of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Mr Ophel also faces a series of "back-up" charges, should the Crown be unable to prove the more serious offences and necessary intent.

These are one count of intentionally inflicting grievous bodily harm, three of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one of common assault.

He has entered the same plea of not guilty by way of mental impairment to these charges.

Prosecutors and defence lawyers handed up several documents for the magistrate to read and consider in chambers.

Ms Hunter adjourned the bail application to 3.30pm.