A 34-year-old former church youth worker has appeared in a Perth court to face more than a dozen child sexual abuse charges.

WA Police allege Philip Gordon Ronald Salt met two teenage male victims through his youth engagement role at a church in Perth’s southern suburbs.

Officers said the alleged abuse involving the two boys occurred between 2019 and 2021.

The allegations were reported to police earlier this month, and Mr Salt was arrested by Child Abuse Squad detectives on Friday.

He is facing 16 charges, including eight of indecently dealing with a child under 16 and four of procuring a child under 16 to do an indecent act.

The Thornlie man appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday and made no application for bail.

He has been remanded in custody until April 14, when he is due to again appear in court.