The Australian Government works with community organisations, state and territory governments, law enforcement and academia to prevent and counter all forms of violent extremism.
Since 2013, the Australian Government has invested over $50 million through the countering violent extremism program to:
- build the resilience of communities to violent extremism
- reduce the spread of terrorist propaganda online; and
- divert and disengage at-risk individuals.
National Intervention Program
Australia’s National Intervention Program helps individuals to disengage from violent extremism.
The Program is ideology-neutral and is designed to address all potential drivers of radicalisation to violence.
Australian state and territory agencies identify, assess and deliver case management plans for people who might be on a radicalisation pathway.
Case management plans might include:
- support to reconnect with family, friends and local community
- mentoring and coaching; and
- counselling
Participation is voluntary. Participants are regularly reviewed to assess their progress and needs.
If you would like to refer someone you are concerned about, see
Seek help and report.
Rehabilitation programs
Rehabilitating individuals who have been charged with terrorism-related offences reduces the risk of further violence and influencing others to do the same. The Australian Government works closely with state and territory governments to deliver rehabilitation programs. The goal of these programs is to help high-risk offenders successfully reintegrate into society. The Australian Government also manages terrorist offenders who have not rehabilitated. A court may detain an offender after their sentence has ended if they continue to pose an unacceptable risk to the community.
Online engagement
The Australian Government is committed to keeping Australians safe online.
Following the March 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, the New Zealand and Australian Government established the Taskforce to Combat Violent Terrorist and Extreme Material Online. The Taskforce made a number of recommendations to Government on practical, tangible and effective measures and commitments to combat the upload and dissemination of terrorist and extreme violent material.
The
Criminal Code Amendment (Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material) Act 2019 introduced penalties for social media platforms that allow the live streaming and broadcast of violent crimes. Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner has the power to issue notices that bring this type of material to the attention of social media companies. For more information, see
Parliament of Australia and
e-Safety Commission.
Members of the public can
report any online material that is violent extremist in nature or could encourage radicalisation towards violence.
