Why foreign interference is not ok

It is unacceptable for any foreign government to target members of our community in ways that prevent individuals exercising their rights and freedoms in Australia.

Every person in Australia has the right to feel safe, to belong, and to participate in community and civic life. This strength underpins our society.

Australia’s government is elected through free and fair elections and designed to ensure your ability to vote is protected and who you vote for is private information.

Foreign interference can harm Australia, and everyone who lives here.

We all have a role to play in countering foreign interference in Australia so that we can continue to live in a safe and welcoming society.

Foreign interference is a crime in Australia and punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment under the Commonwealth Criminal Code Act 1995(Opens in a new tab/window).

What the Australian Government is doing to protect you

Investigation and disruption

The Commonwealth Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce leads the operational response to espionage and foreign interference and works to identify, investigate and disrupt acts of foreign interference and espionage.

Investment

The Australian Government invested $71.6 million over four years from 2024-2025 to bolster Australia’s countering foreign interference efforts to protect Australians from this threat.

Empowering communities

The Australian Government regularly engages with impacted communities to understand community concerns and needs, and support community safety.

Calling out foreign interference

The Australian Government can raise concerns of foreign interference with foreign government representatives, to make it clear that foreign interference will not be tolerated in Australia.