Former Office of National Assessments assistant director Roger Uren could face years in jail if convicted.

It is alleged Uren was involved in the unauthorised removal and retention of classified intelligence information from his place of employment.

Uren appeared in ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, having been arrested at his Canberra home on October 16.

An Australian Federal Police spokesman told AAP the charges included "numerous offences" under the Intelligence Services Act and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act.

Uren was granted police bail and is next due to appear in court on February 5, 2020.

A cache of classified files were found during a raid on Uren's home in late 2015, Nine newspapers have reported.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the Commonwealth Director for Public Prosecutions had sought his consent to the prosecution.

"After careful and thorough consideration of all the information provided to me by the CDPP, I provided that consent," he told AAP in a statement.

Consent was required as the charges related to two alleged offences under section 40J of the Intelligence Services Act and section 18A of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act.

ONA, now known as the Office of National Intelligence, is the key agency which provides intelligence advice to the prime minister.

Australian Associated Press