List of Australian intelligence agencies
Encyclopedia
The Australian Government
statutory intelligence agencies
that constitute the Australian Intelligence Community (AIC) are as follows:
committee and the peak ministerial decision-making body on national security
matters. It is chaired by the Prime Minister
and the membership includes the Deputy Prime Minister
, Attorney-General
, Treasurer
, Minister for Foreign Affairs
, Minister for Defence
and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
. The Secretaries
for each respective public service
department as well as the Chief of the Defence Force
, the National Security Adviser
, the Director-General of Security
and the Director General of the Office of National Assessments
and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
.
The Secretaries Committee on National Security (SCNS) is the senior inter-departmental committee supporting the National Security Committee. It considers all matters to be put before the NSC and has a strong role in ensuring that Australia maintains a coordinated policy approach on all national security issues. It is chaired by the National Security Adviser, and the membership contains all non-ministerial positions and secretaries of the departments of the National Security Committee, plus the Commissioner
of the Australian Federal Police
, the Commander of the Border Protection Command
and the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Crime Commission
.
The National Security and International Policy Group is in Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
and led by the National Security Advisor and provides advice on Australia's foreign, trade and treaty matters, defence, intelligence, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management matters; coordinates security-related science and technology research matters; and plays a coordinating leadership role in the development of integrated, whole-of-government national security policy. The National Security and International Policy Group comprises four divisions each led by a First Assistant Secretary.
The International Security Division (ISD) is in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
and is the international security and foreign intelligence policy and governance coordination entity and headed by a First Assistant Secretary. It is divided into four branches each led by an Assistant Secretary: the Office of the Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism; the Counter-Terrorism Branch; the Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Branch; and the Strategic Issues and Intelligence Branch.
The National Security and Criminal Justice Group is in the Attorney-General's Department
and the policy and governance coordination entity for domestic security and criminal intelligence and is led by a Deputy Secretary. It is divided into six divisions.
The National Intelligence Coordination Committee (NICC) is to ensure that Australia's foreign, security and law enforcement intelligence activities are closely aligned and consistent with our national security priorities, and that the national intelligence effort is effectively integrated. It is chaired by the National Security Adviser and contains representation from all intelligence and security agencies.
The Heads of Intelligence Agencies Meeting (HIAM) brings together a sub-group of the all the national intelligence agencies comprising to consider issues relating specifically to Australia’s foreign intelligence activities. It is chaired by the Director General of the Office of National Assessments and the Deputy Secretary for Defence Intelligence, Security and International Policy attends.
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
statutory intelligence agencies
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
that constitute the Australian Intelligence Community (AIC) are as follows:
Governance entities
The National Security Committee (NSC) is a CabinetCabinet of Australia
The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers of the Crown, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister the Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private...
committee and the peak ministerial decision-making body on national security
National security
National security is the requirement to maintain the survival of the state through the use of economic, diplomacy, power projection and political power. The concept developed mostly in the United States of America after World War II...
matters. It is chaired by the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
and the membership includes the Deputy Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the second-most senior officer in the Government of Australia. The Deputy Prime Ministership has been a ministerial portfolio since 1968, and the Deputy Prime Minister is appointed by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime...
, Attorney-General
Attorney-General of Australia
The Attorney-General of Australia is the first law officer of the Crown, chief law officer of the Commonwealth of Australia and a minister of the Crown. The Attorney-General is usually a member of the Federal Cabinet, but there is no constitutional requirement that this be the case since the...
, Treasurer
Treasurer of Australia
The Treasurer of Australia is the minister in the Government of Australia responsible for government expenditure and revenue raising. He is the head of the Department of the Treasury. The Treasurer plays a key role in the economic policy of the government...
, Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Australia)
In the Government of Australia, the Minister for Foreign Affairs is responsible for overseeing the international diplomacy section of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In common with international practice, the office is often informally referred to as Foreign Minister...
, Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Australia)
The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
and Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Australia)
In the Government of Australia, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship is responsible for overseeing the Department of Immigration and Citizenship....
. The Secretaries
Departmental Secretary
A departmental secretary is the head of an Australian Commonwealth or state government department especially in Victoria...
for each respective public service
Australian Public Service
The Australian Public Service is the Australian federal civil service, the group of people employed by federal departments, agencies and courts under the Government of Australia, to administer the working of the public administration of the Commonwealth of Australia...
department as well as the Chief of the Defence Force
Chief of the Defence Force (Australia)
Chief of the Defence Force is the most senior appointment in the Australian Defence Force . The CDF commands the ADF under the direction of the Minister of Defence, in a coequal arrangement with the Secretary of Defence, the most senior public servant in the Department of Defence.The position is a...
, the National Security Adviser
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is an Australian Government department. The Department was first established in 1911...
, the Director-General of Security
Director-General of Security
The Director-General of Security is the executive officer of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation , the domestic security agency of Australia...
and the Director General of the Office of National Assessments
Office of National Assessments
The Office of National Assessments is an Australian intelligence agency. ONA was established by the Office of National Assessments Act 1977 as an independent body directly accountable to the Prime Minister of Australia...
and the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
Australian Secret Intelligence Service
The Australian Secret Intelligence Service is the Australian government intelligence agency responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, undertaking counter-intelligence activities and cooperation with other intelligence agencies overseas...
.
The Secretaries Committee on National Security (SCNS) is the senior inter-departmental committee supporting the National Security Committee. It considers all matters to be put before the NSC and has a strong role in ensuring that Australia maintains a coordinated policy approach on all national security issues. It is chaired by the National Security Adviser, and the membership contains all non-ministerial positions and secretaries of the departments of the National Security Committee, plus the Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
of the Australian Federal Police
Australian Federal Police
The Australian Federal Police is the federal police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. Although the AFP was created by the amalgamation in 1979 of three Commonwealth law enforcement agencies, it traces its history from Commonwealth law enforcement agencies dating back to the federation of...
, the Commander of the Border Protection Command
Border Protection Command (Australia)
The Australian Government's Border Protection Command is a multi-agency command which was established in 2005 to coordinate the protection of Australia’s offshore assets...
and the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and the Australian Crime Commission
Australian Crime Commission
The Australian Crime Commission is an Australian Government national criminal intelligence and investigation agency. It was formulated under the Australian Crime Commission Act which came into effect on 1 January 2003, establishing the ACC as a national statutory authority to combat serious and...
.
The National Security and International Policy Group is in Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is an Australian Government department. The Department was first established in 1911...
and led by the National Security Advisor and provides advice on Australia's foreign, trade and treaty matters, defence, intelligence, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management matters; coordinates security-related science and technology research matters; and plays a coordinating leadership role in the development of integrated, whole-of-government national security policy. The National Security and International Policy Group comprises four divisions each led by a First Assistant Secretary.
- The National Security Adviser (NSA) is the Executive of the National Security and International Policy Group and is an Associate Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and CabinetDepartment of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is an Australian Government department. The Department was first established in 1911...
and source of advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on all policy matters relating to the security of the nation and oversees the implementation of all national security policy arrangements. The NSA's responsibilities complement the roles and responsibilities of the heads of individual national security agencies by enhancing whole-of-government coordination.
- The Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) supports the work of the National Security Adviser across the breadth of national security and international policy development, advice and coordination responsibilities, provides whole-of-government leadership on a range of national security policy issues, including as chair of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee and the National Crisis Committee and co-chair of the Australian Emergency Management Committee and oversees the routine business of the National Security and International Policy Group.
- The National Security Chief Information Officer (NSCIO) provides strategic direction and coordination for information sharing across the national security community and to coordinate the whole-of-government approach to cyber policies and activities. This includes harmonising the broad policy, governance and legislative arrangements currently in place so as to improve interoperability and collaboration, provide oversight of the national security information management environment and provide strategic leadership and coordination on matters of cyber policy and strategies across the entire cyber spectrum, from online consumer protection to cyber defence.
- The International Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on Australia’s foreign, trade, aid and treaty matters and priorities, including bilateral relations, relationships with regional and international organisations, free trade negotiations and whole-of-government priorities for the overseas aid program. It also incorporates the International Strategy Unit, which focuses on developing innovative and forward-looking advice on policy challenges in the medium to long term across the foreign and international security domains.
- The Homeland and Border Security Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of critical infrastructure protection, e-security, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management issues. This Division is divided into the Border, Counter Terrorism and Strategic Planning Branch; and the Emergency Management and Proliferation Issues Branch.
- The Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of defence, intelligence coordination and cooperation matters, and national security, science and innovation policy and programs. This Division is divided into the Defence Policy Branch; the National Security Science and Technology Branch; and Intelligence Policy Branch.
-
- The National Security Science and Technology Branch provides a national focus for science and innovation aimed at enhancing Australia's national security and coordinating the collation and dissemination of national security science and innovation priorities and research outcomes.
The International Security Division (ISD) is in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
and is the international security and foreign intelligence policy and governance coordination entity and headed by a First Assistant Secretary. It is divided into four branches each led by an Assistant Secretary: the Office of the Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism; the Counter-Terrorism Branch; the Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Branch; and the Strategic Issues and Intelligence Branch.
The National Security and Criminal Justice Group is in the Attorney-General's Department
Attorney-General's Department (Australia)
The Attorney-General's Department is an Australian Government Department. Its role is to serve the people of Australia by providing essential expert support to the Government in the maintenance and improvement of Australia's system of law and justice...
and the policy and governance coordination entity for domestic security and criminal intelligence and is led by a Deputy Secretary. It is divided into six divisions.
- The National Security Resilience and Policy Division is responsible for policy, legislation, advice and programs related to developing resilience to all hazards, including the areas of critical infrastructure protection, electronic and identity security, and protective security policy.
- The National Security Capability and Development Division is responsible for developing national security capability; coordinating procedures, training, exercises, evaluation, procurement and research and development for all hazards; managing the National CounterTerrorism Committee Administered Fund; delivering training and education; administering grants to volunteer organisations, for disaster mitigation, and Geo-Spatial Capabilities.
- The National Security Law and Policy Division is responsible for policy, legislation and advice on national security, counterterrorism, chemical security, surveillance devices, telecommunications interception and for delivery of vetting and background checking services which incorporates the Australian Security Vetting Service.
The National Intelligence Coordination Committee (NICC) is to ensure that Australia's foreign, security and law enforcement intelligence activities are closely aligned and consistent with our national security priorities, and that the national intelligence effort is effectively integrated. It is chaired by the National Security Adviser and contains representation from all intelligence and security agencies.
- The National Intelligence Collection Management Committee (NICMC) is a subcommittee of the National Intelligence Coordination Committee and is responsible for setting specific requirements and evaluating collection effort against each of the National Intelligence Priorities (NIPs). It is chaired by the Director General of the Office of National Assessments.
- The National Intelligence Open Source Committee (NIOSC) is a subcommittee of the National Intelligence Coordination Committee and is responsible for enhancing the coordination and capabilities of the national intelligence community’s open source efforts. It is chaired by the Director General of the Office of National Assessments.
- The Foreign Intelligence Coordination Committee (FICC) is a subcommittee chaired by the Director-General of the Office of National Assessments with responsibility for foreign intelligence coordination.
The Heads of Intelligence Agencies Meeting (HIAM) brings together a sub-group of the all the national intelligence agencies comprising to consider issues relating specifically to Australia’s foreign intelligence activities. It is chaired by the Director General of the Office of National Assessments and the Deputy Secretary for Defence Intelligence, Security and International Policy attends.
Primary entities
- Australian Security Intelligence OrganisationAustralian Security Intelligence OrganisationThe Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is Australia's national security service, which is responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically-motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, and...
(ASIO) - Australian Secret Intelligence ServiceAustralian Secret Intelligence ServiceThe Australian Secret Intelligence Service is the Australian government intelligence agency responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, undertaking counter-intelligence activities and cooperation with other intelligence agencies overseas...
(ASIS) - Office of National AssessmentsOffice of National AssessmentsThe Office of National Assessments is an Australian intelligence agency. ONA was established by the Office of National Assessments Act 1977 as an independent body directly accountable to the Prime Minister of Australia...
(ONA) - Defence Intelligence and Security Group
- Defence Imagery and Geospatial OrganisationDefence Imagery and Geospatial OrganisationThe Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for the tasking , exploitation , and dissemination of geospatial intelligence...
(DIGO) - Defence Intelligence OrganisationDefence Intelligence OrganisationThe Defence Intelligence Organisation is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for assessing intelligence obtained from or provided by other Australian and foreign intelligence agencies, supporting Defence and Government decision-making and the planning and conduct of Australian...
(DIO) - Defence Signals DirectorateDefence Signals DirectorateDefence Signals Directorate is an Australian government intelligence agency responsible for signals intelligence and information security .-Overview:According to its website, DSD has two principal functions:...
(DSD) - Defence Security AuthorityDefence Security AuthorityThe Defence Security Authority is an agency in the Defence Intelligence and Security Group of the Australian Department of Defence responsible for protective security, providing vetting services, developing security policy, investigating major security incidents and monitoring security performance...
(DSA)
- Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation
Secondary entities
- Australian Army Intelligence CorpsAustralian Army Intelligence CorpsThe Australian Intelligence Corps is a corps within the Australian Army. It was formed on 6 December 1907 and provides intelligence personnel in every formation headquarters in the Army. The corps currently consists of 169 officers and 232 other ranks....
(AUSTINT) - Australian Federal Police Intelligence DivisionAustralian Federal PoliceThe Australian Federal Police is the federal police agency of the Commonwealth of Australia. Although the AFP was created by the amalgamation in 1979 of three Commonwealth law enforcement agencies, it traces its history from Commonwealth law enforcement agencies dating back to the federation of...
(AFP) - Australian Crime CommissionAustralian Crime CommissionThe Australian Crime Commission is an Australian Government national criminal intelligence and investigation agency. It was formulated under the Australian Crime Commission Act which came into effect on 1 January 2003, establishing the ACC as a national statutory authority to combat serious and...
(ACC) - Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Intelligence Group
Oversight entities
- Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and SecurityParliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and SecurityThe Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security is the body responsible for oversight on Australia's six main intelligence agencies: the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service the Defence Signals Directorate, the Defence...
(PJCIS) - Inspector-General of Intelligence and SecurityInspector-General of Intelligence and Security (Australia)The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security is an independent statutory office holder in the Commonwealth of Australia responsible for reviewing the activities of the six agencies which collectively comprise the Australian Intelligence Community...
(IGIS)
Legislative bills
- Intelligence Services Act 2001Intelligence Services Act 2001The Intelligence Services Act 2001 is an act of the Parliament of Australia, which was passed on 29 September 2001 and came into effect on 29 October 2001.The ISA introduced three main reforms:...
- Intelligence Services Amendment Act 2004Intelligence Services Amendment Act 2004The Intelligence Services Amendment Act 2004 was passed by the Parliament of Australia on 1 April 2004 as an amendment to the original Intelligence Services Act 2001 , granting controversial new powers to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service...
External links
- IGIS - Australian Intelligence Community Overview
- ONA - Australian Intelligence Community Agencies, Functions, Accountability and Oversight (2006)
- Security Challenges Vol. 3 No. 4 (11/2007) The Australian Intelligence Community in 2020
- ONA History of the Australian Intelligence Community
- DPMC 2004 Report of the Inquiry into Australian Intelligence Agencies