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Terrorist act offences

It is an offence to:

  • commit a terrorist act
  • plan or prepare for a terrorist act
  • finance terrorism or a terrorist
  • provide or receive training connected with terrorist acts
  • possess things connected with terrorist acts
  • collect or make documents likely to facilitate terrorist acts.

A person may be convicted of an offence if they:

  • intended to commit one of these offences
    or
  • were reckless as to whether their actions would amount to one of these offences.

For example, someone may be found guilty of a terrorist act offence where they intentionally prepared or planned a terrorist act but did not actually commit it themselves.

A person may still commit a terrorist act offence even though a terrorist act did not occur.

Division 101 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (the Criminal Code) details terrorist act offences under Australian law. This department administers this Act.

Contact details

The National Security Hotline is the single point of contact for the public to report possible signs of terrorism. Every piece of information is treated seriously, as it could be vital in preventing a terrorist act.

The hotline also provides information to callers on a wide range of national security matters.

If you see anything suspicious, report it to the National Security Hotline:

Call: 1800 123 400
From outside Australia: (+61) 1300 123 401
Email: hotline@nationalsecurity.gov.au
SMS: 0429 771 822
TTY: 1800 234 889