The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation - Overview

ASIO's role is to identify and investigate threats to security, wherever they arise, and to provide advice to protect Australia, its people and its interests. ASIO's functions are set out in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (the ASIO Act).

Security is defined in the ASIO Act as espionage, sabotage, politically motivated violence, the promotion of communal violence, attacks on Australia's defence system, and acts of foreign interference. It also includes the carrying out of Australia's responsibilities to any foreign country in relation to threats to security with a particular focus on politically motivated violence.

ASIO collects information using the least intrusive means possible commensurate with the level and immediacy of the threat. ASIO uses intelligence methods which can include human sources, special powers authorised by warrant and through its liaison relationships in addition to information that is available from published sources.

ASIO is the only Australian intelligence agency which both collects and assesses security intelligence.

The ASIO Act does not limit the rights of persons to engage in lawful advocacy, protest or dissent. ASIO does not carry out criminal investigations or have the powers of arrest but does work closely with Federal and State and Territory police forces in connection with matters that have a national security dimension.

Overwhelmingly, ASIO's priority over the next few years will be countering the persistent threat of terrorism. Since 2000 there was at least one aborted, disrupted, or actual attack against Australian interests every year. Politically motivated violence, espionage, foreign interference in Australia and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction will continue to threaten Australia's interests. ASIO also must counter these threats.

To mitigate these threats, Australia will continue to rely on intelligence-led prevention. In the case of terrorism, this is underlined by the National Counter-Terrorism Plan which is endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments. ASIO will continue to play a central role in delivering quality security intelligence by being forward thinking, innovative, proactive and striving always for excellence.

As a result of decisions taken by the Government in October 2005, over the five years to 2012, ASIO's intelligence capabilities will be enhanced across its intelligence collection and analytical capabilities with additional staff to be recruited across all work areas.