Law, justice & securityAgencyExists today
Office of the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
IGIS
1 February 1987 – present
Independent statutory office that oversees the legality, propriety and human rights compliance of Australia's intelligence agencies, with powers of inspection, inquiry and complaint investigation.
How it came into existence
Established on 1 February 1987 under the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986, following the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Australia's Security and Intelligence Agencies (the second Hope Royal Commission, 1983-84).
Legislation: Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986
Changes during its life
- May 2018Ministerial responsibility moved from the Prime Minister to the Attorney-General as part of the Home Affairs reforms, under the Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (assented to 9 May 2018).
Main functions
- Inspection of intelligence agency activities
- Inquiries into the legality and propriety of intelligence operations
- Investigation of complaints about intelligence agencies
- Oversight of agencies' compliance with ministerial guidelines and human rights
Where it sits
In the portfolio of Attorney-General's Department.
- Type of body
- Non-corporate Commonwealth entity
- Portfolio
- Attorney-General's
- Accountable authority
- Inspector-General – Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 section 6AA(c)
- ABN
- 67 332 668 643
Lineage
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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))
- Home Affairs and Integrity Agencies Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Federal Register of Legislation)