Between 1942 and 1982 the industrial interests of the Commonwealth law enforcement were represented by the Defence Establishments Guard Association (1942-1943), the Peace Officer Guard Association (1943-1958), and the Commonwealth Police Officers' Association (1958-1982).
In 1998 the AFPA changed its rules to establish the Police Federation of Australia, which now incorporates Branches for all State, Territory and Federal Police and is affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions [ACTU].