Leifer appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday via video link from North Melbourne Police Station.
It was her first Australian court appearance following years of extradition proceedings in Israel.
She did not respond when asked by magistrate Johanna Metcalf if she could see and hear the court.
Custody officials in the room with her confirmed the audio-visual link was working.
Leifer sat with her head in her hands.
Lawyer Tony Hargreaves said she had significant mental health issues requiring various types of medication.
Victorian Police officers are stationed at Melbourne International Airport as Malka Leifer arrives.
AAP
He asked for Leifer to be transferred to a prison as quickly as possible for the sake of her mental health, because the police station did not have the resources needed.