On 27 November 2015, Australia revised its terror alert system to offer the public clearer details on extremist-planned attacks.

The current four-tier terror alert system describes levels of risk from “low” to “high” and “extreme”. A system will replace it, indicating the likelihood of an attack at any given time. The highest threat levels now indicate attacks as “expected” or “certain.”

Each level would be based on a specific type of advice provided to the government by security agencies. The government believes that terrorists with the capacity to carry out an attack have a specific target, which prompts them to assess the threat level as “probable”.

The new system combines the existing “threat level”, which is an assessment of the overall threat to Australia and its interests, and the “alert level”, which is about public preparedness, into a single system. Figure 1 depicts the new alert levels.

Currently, the Terror Threat Level for Australia is ‘Probable’. Security agencies confirm credible intelligence showing groups have intent and capability to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia.

The public should continue to exercise caution and report anything suspicious to the National Security Hotline 1800 1234 00. Life-threatening situations must be reported to the police by calling Triple Zero (000).

More public information regarding the new Terror Alert System is available at the Australian National Security website.