Electronic surveillance
The Australian Government is committed to protecting the privacy and safety of all Australians.
As part of this, we are responsible for maintaining the Commonwealth electronic surveillance legislative framework. The framework aims to provide agencies the right powers to keep Australia safe in a changing technological landscape, while operating in line with the rule of law and with effective oversight to protect and secure the community's right to privacy.
In this section…
Find out about the Commonwealth legal framework that allows law enforcement and national security agencies to use electronic surveillance powers to investigate criminal offences and other activities that threaten the safety and security of Australians.
Read more about the oversight and accountability mechanisms that govern the use of electronic surveillance powers by law enforcement and national security agencies, including recordkeeping and reporting, as well as the oversight role of bodies such as the Commonwealth Ombudsman and the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security.
Find out about the obligations certain telecommunications and other providers have to provide specified kinds of assistance to law enforcement and national security agencies. This includes maintaining and reporting on their capabilities to intercept communications, retain telecommunications data and preserve stored communications when legally requested.
Australia's laws governing electronic surveillance are undergoing major reform to increase clarity for agencies, oversight bodies, industry and the public, as well as reinforce privacy protections and promote transparency.
These annual reports set out when and how eligible Commonwealth, state and territory agencies have used the powers available under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act and Part 15 of the Telecommunications Act 1997 within a given financial year.
These annual reports describe when and how eligible Commonwealth, state and territory law enforcement agencies have used the powers available under the Surveillance Devices Act 2004 within a given financial year.