Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
ASIO · Australian Security Intelligence Organization
16 March 1949 – present
Australia's domestic security intelligence service, collecting and assessing intelligence on espionage, foreign interference, politically motivated violence, terrorism, sabotage and attacks on Australia's defence systems, and providing security assessments and advice.
How it came into existence
Established by a directive of Prime Minister Ben Chifley of 16 March 1949, with Justice Geoffrey Reed as the first Director-General, taking over security intelligence from the Commonwealth Investigation Service amid British and American concern over Soviet espionage in Australia.
- Security intelligence
- Counter-espionage
Legislation: Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979
Changes during its life
- 1956Placed on a statutory footing by the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Act 1956.
- 1979The Australian Security Intelligence Organization Act 1979 was enacted to replace the 1956 Act, following the Hope Royal Commission on Intelligence and Security.
- 1999The spelling of its name changed from 'Organization' to 'Organisation'.
- 11 May 2018Ministerial responsibility moved from the Attorney-General to the Minister for Home Affairs, bringing the organisation into the Home Affairs portfolio.
- Cyber espionage investigations
Staff were co-located in the centre; the agency kept its own responsibilities.
Main functions
- Counter-espionage and counter-foreign interference
- Counter-terrorism intelligence
- Security assessments and vetting
- Protective security advice
- Foreign intelligence collection in Australia
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Home Affairs.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Home Affairs
- Accountable authority
- Director-General of Security – Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 schedule 1 item 6(b)
- ABN
- 37 467 566 201
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- List of Commonwealth entities and companies under the PGPA Act, 1 July 2026 (Department of Finance)
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))