Australian Intelligence Community - Policy Entities

Policy Entities

The National Security and International Policy Group is in Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and led by the National Security Advisor and provides advice on Australia's foreign, trade and treaty matters, defence, intelligence, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management matters; coordinates security-related science and technology research matters; and plays a coordinating leadership role in the development of integrated, whole-of-government national security policy. The National Security and International Policy Group comprises four divisions each led by a First Assistant Secretary.

• The National Security Adviser (NSA) is the Executive of the National Security and International Policy Group and is an Associate Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and source of advice to the Prime Minister and Cabinet on all policy matters relating to the security of the nation and oversees the implementation of all national security policy arrangements. The NSA's responsibilities complement the roles and responsibilities of the heads of individual national security agencies by enhancing whole-of-government coordination.

• The Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) supports the work of the National Security Adviser across the breadth of national security and international policy development, advice and coordination responsibilities, provides whole-of-government leadership on a range of national security policy issues, including as chair of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee and the National Crisis Committee and co-chair of the Australian Emergency Management Committee and oversees the routine business of the National Security and International Policy Group.

• The National Security Chief Information Officer (NSCIO) provides strategic direction and coordination for information sharing across the national security community and to coordinate the whole-of-government approach to cyber policies and activities. This includes harmonising the broad policy, governance and legislative arrangements currently in place so as to improve interoperability and collaboration, provide oversight of the national security information management environment and provide strategic leadership and coordination on matters of cyber policy and strategies across the entire cyber spectrum, from online consumer protection to cyber defence.

• The International Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on Australia’s foreign, trade, aid and treaty matters and priorities, including bilateral relations, relationships with regional and international organisations, free trade negotiations and whole-of-government priorities for the overseas aid program. It also incorporates the International Strategy Unit, which focuses on developing innovative and forward-looking advice on policy challenges in the medium to long term across the foreign and international security domains.

• The Homeland and Border Security Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of critical infrastructure protection, e-security, non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security and emergency management issues. This Division is divided into the Border, Counter Terrorism and Strategic Planning Branch; and the Emergency Management and Proliferation Issues Branch.

• The Defence, Intelligence and Research Coordination Division provides advice, coordination and leadership on integrated, whole-of-government policy matters, priorities and strategy in the areas of defence, intelligence coordination and cooperation matters, and national security, science and innovation policy and programs. This Division is divided into the Defence Policy Branch; the National Security Science and Technology Branch; and Intelligence Policy Branch.

• The National Security Science and Technology Branch provides a national focus for science and innovation aimed at enhancing Australia's national security and coordinating the collation and dissemination of national security science and innovation priorities and research outcomes.

The International Security Division (ISD) is in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is the international security and foreign intelligence policy and governance coordination entity and headed by a First Assistant Secretary. It is divided into four branches each led by an Assistant Secretary:

• The Office of the Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism

• The Counter-Terrorism Branch

• The Arms Control and Counter-Proliferation Branch

• The Strategic Issues and Intelligence Branch

• The Intelligence Policy and Liaison Section

The National Security and Criminal Justice Group is in the Attorney-General's Department and the policy and governance coordination entity for domestic security and criminal intelligence and is led by a Deputy Secretary. It is divided into six divisions.

• The National Security Resilience and Policy Division is responsible for policy, legislation, advice and programs related to developing resilience to all hazards, including the areas of critical infrastructure protection, electronic and identity security, and protective security policy.

• The National Security Capability and Development Division is responsible for developing national security capability; coordinating procedures, training, exercises, evaluation, procurement and research and development for all hazards; managing the National CounterTerrorism Committee Administered Fund; delivering training and education; administering grants to volunteer organisations, for disaster mitigation, and Geo-Spatial Capabilities.

• The National Security Law and Policy Division is responsible for policy, legislation and advice on national security, counterterrorism, chemical security, surveillance devices, telecommunications interception and for delivery of vetting and background checking services which incorporates the Australian Security Vetting Service.

The Office of the Secretary and Chief of Defence Force Group is the integrated diarchy command of the Australian Defence Organisation consisting of the Secretary of the Department of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force. It supports the strategy and administration of the Australian Defence Organisation and maintains intelligence and security strategy and coordination functions:

• The International Policy Division provides strategic level policy advice to Government on Australia's defence relations and Australian Defence Force operations.

• The Strategic Policy Division provides analysis of Australia's strategic environment to inform Defence decision making, including on the development and use of military capability, the employment of the ADF, involvement in certain international programs such as the Proliferation Security Initiative, and export controls.