Espionage has become one of the most significant national security threats to Australia, impacting government, businesses and the university sector. The highly secretive nature of espionage makes it extremely difficult to measure. This study estimates, for the first time, the actual and prevented costs of espionage. 

The study estimates the mitigation and response costs and the direct costs of espionage impacting Australia. It also estimates the preventable costs associated with a number of possible scenarios. The prevented costs are significant, and highlight the importance and benefit of investing in efforts to reduce the threat of espionage and minimise the harm in high-risk settings.

Key findings

• In 2023–24, espionage cost Australia at least $12.5 billion.
• There are also tens of billions in additional costs that Australia may have prevented by countering potential espionage.
• In just one week, a single incident of espionage-enabled sabotage from a large-scale cyber attack could cost the Australian economy nearly $6 billion.