Defence & veteransAgencyExists today
Defence Intelligence Organisation
DIO
1990 – present
Previously Joint Intelligence Organisation (1969–1990).
The Department of Defence's all-source intelligence assessment agency, producing strategic, military capability, and scientific and technical intelligence to support Defence planning, operations and government decision-making.
Names over time
- Joint Intelligence Organisation1969–1990
- Defence Intelligence Organisation1990–present
How it came into existence
Formed in 1990 when the Joint Intelligence Organisation was reorganised and renamed the Defence Intelligence Organisation within the Department of Defence.
Changes during its life
- 2020Became part of the Defence Intelligence Group, established within Defence under the Chief of Defence Intelligence.
- Imagery analysis and exploitation
Lineage from DIO's imagery elements is from memory and not verified.
- Cyber threat assessment
Staff were co-located in the centre; the agency kept its own responsibilities.
Main functions
- All-source defence intelligence assessment
- Strategic and military capability assessments
- Scientific and technical intelligence
- Intelligence support to ADF operations
- Counter-terrorism and weapons proliferation assessments
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Department of Defence.
Lineage
Loading lineage…
Sources
Primary sources
- Australian Government Organisations Register (Department of Finance, data.gov.au) (listed from 11 December 2014 to the latest release (30 June 2026))
Other sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.