The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security.
We collect and assess security intelligence. We are not the secret police, a policy agency or a security manager. But we do make a difference.
ASIO is led by the Director-General of Security, a statutory office holder. Mr Mike Burgess AM is Australia’s 14th Director-General of Security. The Director-General provides impartial advice to government on threats to Australia’s national security. The Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Tony Burke MP, is responsible for ASIO.
ASIO is a member of the National Intelligence Community (NIC), which comprises 10 Australian organisations that collect, analyse and disseminate intelligence information and advice in accordance with Australia’s interests and national security priorities.
What we do (and what we don't do)
We understand that the secret nature of ASIO’s work can make it difficult to understand what we do, and what we don’t do. Our Understanding ASIO video describes ASIO’s functions, role within Australia’s intelligence architecture and our rigorous oversight.
ASIO operates lawfully, in proportion to threats we are investigating, and in line with the standards and expectations of the Australian community. ASIO does not just do what is legal, we do what is right.
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (ASIO Act) defines security for the purposes of ASIO’s work—and in doing so carefully limits the scope of ASIO’s activities. These are commonly referred to as the ‘heads of security’ and include the protection of Australia and its people from:
- Acts of foreign interference.
- Attacks on Australia’s defence system.
- Espionage.
- Politically motivated violence including terrorism.
- Promotion of communal violence.
- Sabotage.
- Serious threats to Australia’s border integrity.
Priorities
Counter–intelligence
ASIO protects Australia and Australians from espionage, foreign interference and sabotage through early detection of threats, and action to address harm, build resilience and deter future threats.
Counter-terrorism
ASIO protects Australia and Australians from violent extremism by anticipating threats and responding to changes in the security environment.
Influence and impact
ASIO leverages its capabilities and insights to help stakeholders better understand, identify and manage sophisticated threats.
TOP SECRET-Privileged Access vetting
ASIO delivers highly assured and transferable security clearances to Australia’s highest-cleared workforce to enable to government to better manage and combat threats to its information, people and assets.
Transparency and accountability
While there are some things an intelligence agency cannot share, we believe in being as transparent as we can about the nature of the threats facing Australia. We are committed to acting within the letter and the spirit of the law. ASIO is subject to stringent oversight, and we recognise the importance of using our capabilities and statutory powers responsibly, proportionately and with propriety. Read more about our accountability measures.
The Director-General appears before parliamentary hearings and delivers an Annual Threat Assessment, an important foundation in ASIO’s efforts to be as open as we can be with the public. In 2020 we joined Twitter and in 2021 we launched an ASIO Instagram account to enhance our ability to be transparent with the community about what we do.
History
Prime Minister Ben Chifley established ASIO by charter in 1949. He appointed Justice Geoffrey Reed, a Supreme Court judge, to lead the service. ASIO’s charter empowered the organisation to undertake intelligence activities for the protection of the Commonwealth against espionage, sabotage and subversion.
Initially headquartered in Sydney and then Melbourne, ASIO now has offices in all Australian states and territories. The Ben Chifley Building in Canberra has been ASIO’s headquarters since 2014, having been purpose-built to meet the unique requirements of a security intelligence agency. Read more about ASIO’s history.
