The public plays a major role in providing information to law enforcement and security agencies about possible terrorist and foreign interference activities.
Your call to the National Security Hotline (NSH) is important. The hotline operates 24/7 and you can report your concerns about possible signs of terrorism and foreign interference in our community.
If you have information or an enquiry relating to police checks, visas, travel advice, scams, or customs issues, please refer to the contact table below.
Trust your instincts—even if you think it’s probably nothing, the smallest piece of information can be valuable. Terrorism and foreign interference are complex problems. It can be hard to know what might be important.
What you tell us could be vital, and we will always take you seriously.
NSH operators will know what to do with the information you provide. When necessary and where permitted by law, they will pass your information onto law enforcement and security agencies for further analysis. The NSH provides a reporting function and cannot provide advice or information on specific operational or intelligence matters, including the status or outcome of your report.
These are some examples of suspicious behaviour or activities:
Terrorism
- someone threatening to harm people or damage infrastructure
- websites or social media promoting violent extremist ideology
- excess purchasing of chemicals or other dangerous materials
- suspicious travel planning or abandoned luggage
- someone you’re concerned is at risk of becoming radicalised
Foreign interference
- community members being intimidated or harassed by someone linked to a foreign government
- surveillance of protest activity or threats to political activists
- someone being coerced to return to their home country
- unauthorised people trying to access sensitive information or places
Privacy
We know that reporting a matter of concern can be a big step. We take your right to privacy very seriously. Tell the operator if you want to remain anonymous.
For more information on how we use and disclose your personal information, you can read the National Security Hotline’s Privacy Notice - National Security Hotline (425KB PDF).
See something suspicious?
Make a report to the National Security Hotline by:
Phone: 1800 123 400
Email:
hotline@nationalsecurity.gov.au
SMS: 0429 771 822
Address:
National Security Hotline
Department of Home Affairs
PO Box 25
Belconnen ACT 2616
If you are travelling overseas and become aware of threats to Australia’s security, you can contact the hotline toll-free on (+61) 1300 123 401.
If you need an interpreter, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You can ask them to call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400.
For TTY users, call 1800 234 889.
If your enquiry does not relate to National Security the below table may assist:
If you are seeking assistance with: | Contact: |
---|
Police, fire or ambulance response to a life-threatening emergency, or report a crime in progress | Phone 000. |
Reporting a crime, or getting advice about local security and safety issues in your community | Phone your local police on 131 444, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. |
Suspicious or illegal immigration, customs and border-related activity | Contact
Border Watch. |
Travel, whether leaving or coming into Australia, COVID-19 and travel restrictions, Australian passport queries | Visit
Smartraveller for worldwide travel advice.
Australian Passport Information Line: Ph: 131 232 (Mon-Fri, 8:00am – 9:00pm local time) Website:
https://www.passports.gov.au |
Scams and cybercrime | Visit via the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) website at https://www.scamwatch.gov.au.
Visit ReportCyber via the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) website at
https://www.cyber.gov.au/acsc/report. |
Individuals defrauding welfare, child support, Medicare or Centrelink payments | Contact Fraud tip-off line on 131 524. (Mon-Fri, 8:00am-5:00pm local time)
For further information see Services Australia,
Reporting Fraud. |