Australian Security Intelligence Organisation

35°17′33.6″S 149°8′40.1″E / 35.292667°S 149.144472°E / -35.292667; 149.144472

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
Agency overview
Formed16 March 1949 (1949-03-16)
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
HeadquartersCanberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Employees1,980 (average staffing level 2017–18)[1]: 7 
Annual budget$533.4 million (2017–18)[1]: 7 
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent agencyDepartment of Home Affairs
Websitehttps://www.asio.gov.au/

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO /ˈzi/) is Australia's national security agency responsible for the protection of the country and its citizens from espionage, sabotage, acts of foreign interference, politically motivated violence, attacks on the Australian defence system, and terrorism.[3][4] ASIO is part of the Australian Intelligence Community and is comparable to the FBI (US) and MI5 (UK).[5]

ASIO has a wide range of surveillance powers to collect human and signals intelligence. Generally, ASIO operations requiring police powers of arrest and detention under warrant are co-ordinated with the Australian Federal Police and/or with state and territory police forces.[5]

ASIO Central Office is in Canberra, with a local office being located in each mainland state and territory capital.[6] A new $630 million Central Office, Ben Chifley Building, named after Ben Chifley, prime minister when ASIO was created, was officially opened by then prime minister Kevin Rudd on 23 July 2013.[7]

  1. ^ a b "ASIO Annual Report 2017–18" (PDF). Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. 25 September 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
  2. ^ Livingston, Angus (8 August 2019). "New ASIO boss had decades in tech security". Bega District News. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979". Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing. 2 April 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  4. ^ "About ASIO". Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Archived from the original on 27 February 2016.
  5. ^ a b "ASIO Frequently Asked Questions". Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Archived from the original on 28 October 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  6. ^ "ASIO Contact Information Page". Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. Archived from the original on 24 October 2007. Retrieved 30 October 2007.
  7. ^ "Rudd opens new ASIO headquarters in Canberra". ABC News. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.

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