Australia's Counter-Terrorism Strategy and National Counter-Terrorism Plan ensure that Australia is one step ahead of terrorist acts.
A Safer Australia – Australia’s Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy
Hello, I’m Nathan Smyth and I am the Commonwealth Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
In August this year, the Director-General of Security raised the National Terrorism Threat Level back to ‘PROBABLE’, reflecting the complex social, political and security environment we are currently facing.
The threat of terrorism and violent extremism is dynamic and constantly evolving.
We are witnessing an increase in anti-government and anti-authority violent extremism, and the use of emerging technologies to enable, produce, disseminate and amplify messages of hate and violence.
We must remain alert and be responsive to this ever-evolving security landscape.
Australia’s Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy marshals the strength of the Australian community to reinforce our national resilience and reduce current and future threats posed by terrorism and violent extremism.
The Strategy is for all Australians to develop a greater understanding of the evolving threat and what Australian governments are doing to respond to these challenges.
The Strategy focuses on:
- prevention through supported and resilient communities
- protecting young people from violent extremism
- reducing violent extremism content online
- managing enduring and emerging threats, and
- strengthening domestic and international partnerships to keep Australians safe.
Strong supported and resilient communities are Australia’s first line of defence against terrorism and violent extremism.
If you think someone may be heading down a path of engaging with violent extremist material and need advice on what you can do to help, the New South Wales Step Together website information and services, including an anonymous chat function.
These resources can be found at Step Together.
If you are concerned someone you know may be an imminent threat to the community please contact your local police agency and contact the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the Strategy, and help to protect Australia from the dangers of radicalisation.
A Safer Australia – Australia’s Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy 2025 (the Strategy), outlines what the Australian Government is doing to safeguard Australians and Australian interests from terrorism and violent extremism.
The Strategy details the changes to the terrorist threat environment since 2022. This includes the raising of the National Terrorism Threat Level to ‘PROBABLE’, and outlines the key challenges faced domestically, and globally.
More than ever, there is a need for a flexible whole-of-nation response to support and strengthen communities, ensuring Australia remains a safe place for everyone. We can achieve this through a shared understanding of what terrorism and violent extremism are and what we can do to prevent individuals from resorting to violence to advance their cause.
The Government is committed to keeping Australians safe and will continue to review and evolve our approach to meet the changing demands.
Read
A Safer Australia
– Australia’s Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy (English)
A Safer Australia – Factsheet
The Strategy Factsheet provides a summary of what the Government is doing to safeguard Australians and Australian interests from terrorism and violent extremism. The Factsheet is an informative document that outlines key terms and provides information and resources for the public.
Read
A Safer Australia – Australia’s Counter-Terrorism and Violent Extremism Strategy Factsheet (English)
National Counter-Terrorism Plan
Australia's Counter-Terrorism Strategy is supported by a National Counter-Terrorism Plan (the Plan). The Plan outlines how we all must face the challenge of terrorism together. The Plan sets out the ways Australia prepares for, responds to, investigates and recovers from terrorist acts.
Read the National Counter - Terrorism Plan
Previous Counter-Terrorism Strategies
