Australia has experienced several actual and thwarted terrorist incidents.
Recent Victorian incidents include the 2014 Endeavour Hills stabbing, the 2018 Mill Park stabbing, and the 2018 Bourke Street stabbing.
The Australian domestic terrorist threat environment has undergone significant transformation marked by the September 2014 attack on two members of the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team at Endeavour Hills.
| Publish year | Assurance activity | Summary | Organisation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Countering foreign interference in Australia (External link) | This report provides an overview of the threats posed by foreign interference to our nation’s sovereignty, democracy and national interests. The report identifies the sectors most at risk, outlines the government measures implemented to combat these threats and offers practical advice for individuals, government and industry to protect themselves. | Australian Government |
| 2024 | Critical infrastructure annual risk review (External link) | This is the second edition of an examination of the threats and hazards faced by Australia’s critical infrastructure. It introduces a comparative visualisation of cross-sector risk prioritisation for each of the five hazard sections that are discussed: cyber/information, supply chain, physical, natural hazard and personnel. | Australian Government |
| 2024 | Misogyny, Racism and Violent Extremism in Australia (External link) | The Australian counter-terrorism strategy now recognises violent extremism as coming in many forms, and as politically, religiously, or racially-motivated. This report finds robust evidence of underlying drivers to radicalisation that can help us better understand the causes of violent extremism and formulate more responsive interventions to prevent violent extremism | Academia |
| 2023 | Victoria Police Counter Terrorism Strategy 2022-2025 (External link) | A strategy that provides a framework for Victoria Police’s counter terrorism activities centered on the core focus areas of Prevention, Protection, Disruption and Response; identifies the key terrorist-related threats and how Victoria Police intends to address these over the next 4 years; and increases awareness and transparency of Victoria Police’s counter terrorism activities and priorities. | Victoria Police |
| 2022 | Inspection Report by the Victorian Inspectorate on Victoria Police records inspected in February 2021 (External link) | This report presents the results of an inspection conducted by the Victorian Inspectorate of Victoria Police records under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003. The Inspectorate provides independent oversight of Police powers by conducting six-monthly inspections (where operational records are available) and reporting to Parliament as well as the Attorney General. The report makes four findings of non-compliance, and five recommendations. | Independent |
| 2022 | Inquiry into extremism in Victoria (External link) | An investigation into the rise of far-right extremist movements in Victoria, it found that the government has an important role to play in combating extremism and that more work is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the problem posed by extremism in Victoria and further ways to counter it. | Parliament of Victoria |
| 2022 | Counterterrorism Yearbook 2022 (External link) | A report on trends in terrorism, pre-crime policing and extremism, radicalisation of teenagers, strategic competition and counter-terrorism, public trust, multiculturalism, and bioterrorism and resilience. The authors analyse how different forms of terrorism affect Australia and the global community and offer practical policy solutions for the Australian Government. | Australian Strategic Policy Institute |
| 2021 | Counterterrorism Yearbook 2021 (External link) | The yearbook provides an overview of current trends and the terrorism landscape in Australia, and an analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on terrorist threats globally. Trends include the impact of social media and technology on terrorist events and radicalisation, and a nexus between terrorism and organised crime. The yearbook outlines strong examples of prevention and strategies to counter violent extremism and provides governments and counterterrorism practitioners with contemporary analysis of current and emerging challenges and offers key policy recommendations to combat radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism in all its forms. | Australian Strategic Policy Institute |
| 2021 | Review of the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 Stage Two Report (External link) | Stage Two review of the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003, it presents findings into Chapters 2-6 covering the ongoing need for the Act, the sunset and review clauses contained, safeguards to and oversight of the powers (including those related to children and other vulnerable persons), and proposals to support Victoria Police’s operational effectiveness in using powers granted by the Act. | Department of Justice and Regulation |
| 2020 | Review of the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 Stage One Report (External link) | A review of the Act to inform government decisions on its sunset clause, which would see the Act expire on 1 December 2021 (unless extended through legislative amendment), agencies with statutory obligations or a significant role under the Act were invited to give feedback on the operation of the Act and suggest issues to be explored in Stage Two. | Department of Justice and Regulation |