This article examines the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s evolving mandate to counter foreign interference, comparing Cold War era reforms with 21st century reforms. It finds that recent reforms differed dramatically from those of earlier decades, taking a more outward-facing and coercive form. This can partly be explained by Australia’s foreign relations and domestic political incentives. However, a key factor is that Australia’s policy routines for intelligence reform changed markedly throughout the early War on Terror years, shaping what reforms were perceived as appropriate and necessary in response to resurgent concerns over foreign interference.