Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, 37, was not present in Cairns Magistrates Court on Monday when her charges were mentioned.

Ms Thaiday, who was also known as Mersane Warria, remained under guard at the Cairns Base Hospital.

She has been charged with murdering three of her daughters, aged two, 11 and 12, four of her sons, aged five, six, eight and nine, and her 14-year-old niece.

Magistrate Alan Comans on Monday morning adjourned the case until January 30.

Speaking outside the court, lawyer Steven Macfarlane from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal service, said he had spoken to Ms Thaiday and she was "coping as best she can".

Mr Macfarlane said he expected Ms Thaiday to remain in Cairns Base Hospital for "a while" yet.

"Until she get her treatment and [police] finish their investigation, there's not a great deal that can be done," he said.

Mr Macfarlane, who unsuccessfully applied to have Ms Thaiday's case heard in the mental health court, said he was not surprised Mr Comans denied the request.

"She's presently on an involuntary treatment order, which means she will be assessed," he said.

"Once she gets assessed, then it may go to the mental health court."

Mr Macfarlane said the enormity of the situation may not have yet dawned on Ms Thaiday.

"I'm not a doctor, but I think she probably knows what happened but doesn't realise it, it hasn't sunk in," he said.

"That's my personal opinion only, so I can't take it much further than that."