A former Australian Federal Police worker known as Elvis Presley has chosen not to face a court over the alleged discovery of thousands of child abuse images in his south-western Sydney home.

The charges were heard this morning under the 49-year-old's old name of Michael Feurerstein.

The Campbelltown Local Court was told he has since changed his name to Elvis Presley by deed poll, though the case will be dealt with under his former identity.

Officers from the NSW Police Force searched Feurerstein's Rosemeadow home yesterday after a tip-off from the AFP, where he worked in the 1980s.

It is not clear whether he was a sworn AFP officer.

They allegedly found more than 35,000 images and 800 videos of child abuse on computers and hard drives.

Police say the search also uncovered Federal Police uniforms, batons and handcuffs.

Feurerstein chose not to appear in the court over the six charges laid so far, four for the possession and dissemination of child pornography and two for possessing weapons and ammunition.

He did not apply for bail and will be held in custody until the matter returns to court in late January.

Earlier police were reluctant to reveal Feurerstein's current occupation, but did say he has held positions of authority that have given him contact with emotionally and physically vulnerable children.

Superintendent Greg Rolph said the formal classification of the images has been harrowing for police, even those with more than 20 years experience.

"I've got a fairly experienced detectives office. They said they were very obscene and sickening," Superintendent Rolph said.

Detectives are working to identify the victims depicted.

Police say they also expect to lay further charges.