Oversight and Accountability

ASIO operates within a particularly stringent oversight and accountability framework.

We operate under the control of the Director-General of Security who is responsible to the Attorney-General.

ASIO operates within a particularly stringent oversight and accountability framework, a mechanism which underpins ASIO's performance within the relevant legislation in exercising our roles and functions. 

Key elements of this framework include:

• a highly classified Annual Report that is provided to members of the National Security Committee of Cabinet and the Leader of the Opposition;
• an unclassified Report to Parliament which is available publicly;
• the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security;
• the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and other Parliamentary committees, including the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs;
• the Security Appeals Division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal; and
• Attorney-General's Guidelines for governing ASIO's handling of aspects of our work.

In addition, ASIO's financial records and systems are subject to annual audit by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).