The Office of National Intelligence logo reflects the seven ways the National Intelligence Community comes together to protect and enhance Australia’s security, prosperity and sovereignty. We have a role in supporting all of these activities. Our leadership focuses on how the National Intelligence Community works together on their delivery.
Collection
National Intelligence Community agencies collect, produce and analyse information in support of common missions that address priority requirements of the Australian Government. Some information is gathered, processed or produced by agencies themselves, while other information is shared by partners. Information is collected in a variety of ways, including through overt means, from publicly available sources or through covert means. All agencies have a legal framework that sets out what information they may collect and how they may do so.
The Office of National Intelligence collects and analyses publicly available information as part of its open source intelligence function.
Assessments
The Office of National Intelligence, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Defence Intelligence Organisation produce intelligence assessments to inform both strategic and operational decision-making. Intelligence assessments provide substantiated judgments, based on all available information, in relation to an issue and its likely implications.
The Office of National Intelligence produces intelligence assessments on matters of political, strategic or economic significance to Australia, drawing on all sources of information available to the Australian Government. This includes material covertly collected by other intelligence agencies, diplomatic reporting, open source intelligence and insights we gather from talking to world-leading experts in business, academia and think-tanks.
Partnerships
National Intelligence Community agencies work with a wide variety of partners internationally and within Australia to deliver intelligence outcomes and protect our national security. Agencies draw on partners’ expertise and share information with them in a wide variety of contexts. This includes working with academia, businesses, civil society, individuals, different levels of government within Australia and with international partners.
The Office of National Intelligence works closely with a wide range of domestic and international partners, including through partnering with industry and researchers on innovation challenges and through our business and academic outreach program that allows us to tap into leading experts to inform our analysis and assessments.
Intelligence diplomacy
National Intelligence Community agencies liaise with international partners to build relationships and convey messages that advance wider Australian Government international and diplomatic priorities.
The Office of National Intelligence works with the National Intelligence Community on how best to align strategic engagement and intelligence diplomacy activities.
Disruptions and effects
Some National intelligence Community agencies have a legislative mandate to conduct activities to disrupt or influence activities harmful or counter to Australian interests.
The Office of National Intelligence does not carry out these activities but, where appropriate, helps ensure the National Intelligence Community performs its work in a coordinated and aligned manner in support of common Australian Intelligence Missions.
Investigations
As well as supporting law enforcement and other investigations carried out outside the National Intelligence Community, some National Intelligence Community agencies have a legislative remit to conduct specific types of security and criminal investigations.
The Office of National Intelligence, where appropriate, supports investigations where it is has the legal basis and capability to do so.
Advice
National Intelligence Community agencies provide guidance and recommendations to the Australian Government, other levels of government within Australia, businesses, civil society, academia and the public to help inform their decision-making. This includes threat, security and technical advice.
The Director-General of National Intelligence has a statutory responsibility to provide advice to the Australian Government on specific matters, as set out in our enabling legislation(Opens in a new tab/window).