Chinese-born Di Miao, 54, pleaded guilty over four burglaries at affluent eastern suburbs homes over three years, stealing thousands of dollars worth of goods, and sometimes disguised in a black wig.

He will serve 10 months behind bars and upon release, a 15-month community corrections order with 80 hours of unpaid work.

When quizzed by police about DNA he left behind on a jemmy tool used in one of his heists, he replied: "It must have got there by magic".

A swab taken from a water bottle at another crime scene was found to have DNA 100 billion times more likely to be his than anyone else's.

County Court Judge Susan Cohen agreed that while Miao's methods were clumsy, his crimes involved some planning.

"Although not highly sophisticated, these were not spur of the moment actions," she said on Friday.

Miao claimed he acted out of desperation to pay off debt and support his travel agency business and had owed money to people he met at the casino. He denied being a problem gambler.

However, Judge Cohen was unconvinced, saying his three-year stealing spree did not reflect the actions of a desperate man.

When police raided Miao's Doncaster home in 2015, they found more than 250 goods, including cash, watches, jewellery, designer bags and wallets, electronics and rare alcohol.

The stolen items included a Swiss-made rose gold Constantin watch worth $60,000, a diamond-encrusted gold bracelet and $10,000 cash nicked from a jacket pocket.

During the search, Miao was trying to hide goods, including passports, down his pants, but they spilled out.

Police also found a bag containing a wig, gloves, torches and clothes similar to what he was seen wearing on surveillance footage, which Miao claimed was for Halloween.

Judge Cohen said there was nothing to show Miao felt remorse towards his victims but he was at least regretful for what he put his wife and children through.

She said the offending deserved immediate jail to deter others and reflect the seriousness of the crime.

Miao was initially charged with more than a dozen break-ins but in a plea deal he eventually admitted four burglaries between 2012 and 2015.

Miao also pleaded guilty to two thefts related to the burglaries and recklessly dealing in proceeds of crime.

The court heard he missed farewelling his father who died in China as a result of being charged.

Australian Associated Press