OFFICE OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE (ONI)
ONI is responsible for enterprise-level management of the NIC and ensures a single point of accountability for the NIC to the Prime Minister and National Security Committee of Cabinet. ONI produces ‘all source’ assessments on international political, strategic and economic developments to Government. ONI uses information collected by other intelligence and government agencies, diplomatic reporting and open sources, including the media, to support its analysis. ONI was established by the Office of National Intelligence Act 2018 (ONI Act) and subsumed the former Office of National Assessments.

The responsible Minister for ONI is the Prime Minister.

AUSTRALIAN SECURITY INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION (ASIO)
ASIO’s main role is to gather information and produce intelligence that will enable it to warn
the Government about activities that might endanger Australia’s security.

ASIO’s functions are set out in the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (ASIO
Act). ASIO is also bound by Guidelines, which include requirements for the collection and handling of personal information. The Guidelines set out principles that govern ASIO’s work; provide guidance on when information obtained during an investigation is relevant to security and when ASIO can communicate certain other information; and incorporate the current definition of politically motivated violence.

The responsible Minister for ASIO is the Minister for Home Affairs. The Attorney-General exercises certain powers and functions under the ASIO Act, including the power to authorise warrants and special intelligence operations (SIO).

AUSTRALIAN SECRET INTELLIGENCE SERVICE (ASIS)
The primary function of ASIS is to obtain and communicate intelligence not readily available by other means, about the capabilities, intentions and activities of individuals or organisations outside Australia. Further functions set out in the Intelligence Services Act 2001 (IS Act) include communicating secret intelligence in accordance with government requirements, conducting counter-intelligence activities and liaising with foreign intelligence or security services.

Under the IS Act, ASIS’s activities are regulated by a series of Ministerial Directions, Ministerial
Authorisations and the Privacy Rules.

The responsible Minister for ASIS is the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

AUSTRALIAN SIGNALS DIRECTORATE (ASD)
ASD defends Australia against global threats and advances the national interest through the provision of foreign signals intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations, as directed by Government. Its functions are set out in the IS Act. The signals intelligence produced by ASD is provided to key policy makers and select government agencies with a clear and established need to know.

ASD encompasses the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) which leads the Australian Government’s efforts on national cyber security. It brings together cyber security capabilities from across the Australian Government to improve the cyber resilience of the Australian community.

The responsible Minister for ASD is the Minister for Defence.

AUSTRALIAN GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION (AGO)
AGO is Australia’s national geospatial intelligence agency, and is located within the Department of Defence. AGO’s geospatial intelligence, derived from the fusion of analysis of imagery and geospatial data, supports Australian Government decision-making and assists with the planning and conduct of Australian Defence Force (ADF) operations. AGO also gives direct assistance to Commonwealth and State bodies responding to security threats and natural disasters. The functions of AGO are set out in the IS Act and its activities are regulated by a series of Ministerial Directions, Ministerial Authorisations and the Privacy Rules.

The responsible Minister for AGO is the Minister for Defence.

DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE ORGANISATION (DIO)
DIO is the Department of Defence’s all source intelligence assessment agency. Its role is to provide independent intelligence assessment, advice and services in support of the planning and conduct of ADF operations, Defence strategic policy, wider government planning and decision-making on defence and national security issues, and the development and sustainment of defence capability.

The responsible Minister for DIO is the Minister for Defence.