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Terrorism Threat Level
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National Security Hotline

1800 123 400

If it doesn't add up, speak up.​​

Laws to combat terrorism

​​​Australia has a range of laws to help manage the threat of terrorism. This includes laws dealing with terrorism offences, and laws that enable the Government to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. Australia’s counter-terrorism laws are always under review to ensure they remain relevant.

What is terrorism?

Under the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) (the Criminal Code), a ‘terrorist act’ is an act, or a threat to commit an act, that:

  • causes death or serious harm, or endangers a person's life, causes serious damage to property, causes a serious risk to the health or safety of the public, or seriously interferes with critical infrastructure; and
  • is done intending to advance a political, religious or ideological cause; and
  • is done with the intention to intimidate the public (including a section of the public), or to coerce, or influence by intimidation, any government of any country or of a part of a country.

A terrorist act does not cover engaging in advocacy, protest, dissent or industrial action where there is no intention to cause harm to others.

If found guilty of committing a terrorist act, a person could face up to life imprisonment.

Terrorism ​​offences

The Criminal Code sets out a number of offences relating to terrorism. It is an offence to:

  • commit a terrorist act
  • plan or prepare for a terrorist act
  • finance terrorism or a terrorist
  • provide or receive training connected with terrorist acts
  • possess things connected with terrorist acts
  • collect or make documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts
  • be a member of a terrorist organisation
  • train with, fund, support or associate with a terrorist organisation. See Terrorist organisations for more information.

The Criminal Code also sets out offences relating to people who fight for armed groups overseas. It is an offence to:

  • enter, or make preparations to enter, a foreign country with the intent to engage in hostile activity
  • enter, or remain in, a current declared area.

Counter-terrorism laws

Prevention and response

Australian Government agencies have a range of powers for investigating and responding to terrorism offences, including:

Listed terrorist organisations

The Government lists terrorist organisations for the purposes of the relevant offences in the Criminal Code. More information can be found at Terrorist organisations​.

Declared areas

The Government can declare an area in a foreign country where a terrorist organisation is active, in order to deter Australians from travelling there and putting themselves in harm’s way. More information can be found at Current declared areas.