County Court Judge Michael McInerney on Friday said the "sustained brutality" against the children, which included physical and sexual assaults, was the most serious and revolting in the 20 years he has been sentencing criminals.

Upon being sentenced, the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "I would expect no less for my crimes. If someone hurt my children in that way I would expect the courts to deal with them". 

A County Court sitting in Ballarat heard the man, who committed the offences between 2009-2013, used aerosol, accelerant and cigarettes to set the victims' hair on fire, while also sexually assaulting the female victim, 11, numerous times.

The 39-year-old on Monday pleaded guilty to 39 charges, including; six counts of incest, six of indecent act with child under 16, seven of intentionally cause injury, eight of common assault and other related charges.

Judge McInerney told the court the man, who rendered the male victims unconscious numerous times through sleeper holds and punches, had terrorised the household to such an extent he was able to get away with his crimes.

"Forcing the children to punch each other in the face was an example of the total control and fear the boys were subjected to," he said.

The court heard the man's personality disorder and violent upbringing may have contributed to the offences of a person "ill equipped" to perform the role of a parent.

"I find, despite his mental condition, the main factor was situational, in which the man had total control of the children and could do with them what he wished," Judge McInerney said.

The three children were eight, nine and 11 at the time of the offences.

The man will be placed on the sex offenders register for life and must serve eight years and eight months before he is eligible for parole.