The 2017 independent review of the Australian Intelligence Community (AIC) has prepared findings and recommendations on the AIC and related issues below in a classified report for the government, along with this unclassified version of that report.

The review focused on the Office of National Assessments, the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Signals Directorate, the Defence Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation.

It examined the relationship and engagement between those agencies and the members of the broader National Intelligence Community, including the Australian Federal Police, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.

The review considered, among other things:

• how the key aspects of our security environment and the nature of security threats have changed in recent times, including as a result of technological advancements, and how they are likely to change further over the coming ten years or so
• how effectively the AIC serves (and is positioned to serve) Australian national interests and the needs of Australian policy makers
• whether the AIC is structured appropriately, including in ensuring effective coordination and contestability
• whether the AIC is resourced appropriately, including to ensure the right balance of resources across the AIC and that agency resources are properly matched against national security priorities, and the impact of the efficiency dividend
• whether legislative changes are needed, including to the Intelligence Services Act 2001
• whether capability gaps, including technological, are emerging and how these might be met, noting potential efficiencies and that any new proposals would need to be consistent with the Government’s overall fiscal strategy
• the effectiveness of current oversight and evaluation arrangements
• the development path of overseas intelligence partners and lessons for Australia