Safety against terrorism
Help protect Queensland
Do your part to keep Queensland safe against terrorism by:
- staying informed
- Television, radio, newspapers and the internet are used to deliver important information about terrorism.
- looking out for suspicious behaviour
- If you see anything suspicious call the 24-hour National Security Hotline. Every call is taken seriously, and you can remain anonymous.
Suspicious activity
The National Security Hotline is the single point of contact for the public to report possible signs of terrorism. Every piece of information is treated seriously, as it could be vital in preventing a terrorist act. The hotline also provides information to callers on a wide range of national security matters.
Stay alert and look out for these signs suspicious activity:
- Unattended bags
- False or multiple identities
- A lifestyle that doesn't add up
- Unusual purchases of large quantities of fertiliser, chemicals or explosives
- Suspicious accommodation needs
- Suspicious vehicles near significant buildings or in busy public places
- Unusual videotaping or photography of official buildings or other critical infrastructure.
View more information about 'things to look out for'.
To report suspicious activity, contact:
- National Security Hotline—phone 1800 123 400
- If calling from overseas—phone (+61) 1300 123 401
- For TTY users—phone 1800 234 889
- For non-English-speaking residents—phone 131 450 (Translating and Interpreting Hotline) and ask them to contact the National Security Hotline and interpret for you.
Always call Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
National Terrorism Threat Advisory System
The National Terrorism Threat Level is a scale of five levels that tells the public about the likelihood of an act of terrorism occurring in Australia. Whenever the Government makes a change to the National Terrorism Threat Level it will explain why there is a change. The National Terrorism Threat Advisory System will inform Australians about the likelihood of an act of terrorism occurring in Australia and enable authorites, businesses and individuals to take appropriate measures for their own safety and security as well as that of their family, friends and associates. The National Terrorism Threat Level also provides an indicator to government agencies enabling them to respond appropriately with national threat preparedness and response planning. This ensures that an appropriate level of precaution and vigilance is maintained to minimise the threat of a terrorist incident.
The Australian Government regularly reviews the security environment and the Threat Level.
From September 2015, the Australian Government will be introducing a new National Terrorism Threat Advisory System. The System:
- comprises a five tier, colour coded, National Terrorism Threat scale to inform the public about the level of the terrorist threat facing the nation. The levels are:
- certain - red
- expected - orange
- probable - yellow
- possible - blue
- not expected - green
- includes public advice to on the nature of the threat we face and what it means for them
- will help inform the public so they can decide on what measures they can take to protect themselves, families and friends
- guides national preparation and planning to protect against the threat of a terrorist incident
- rebalances the threat levels to reflect the current security environment that the country is facing.
A change to the National Terrorism Threat Level will be announced by the Prime Minister, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism, the Director General of ASIO, or the Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. The Australian National Security website has more information about the new system and the current level.
Role of the Queensland Government
Our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of all residents.
As part of Australia's National Counter-Terrorism Arrangement, we work to:
- prevent terrorism where possible
- respond to and investigate terrorism if it occurs.
The arrangement includes dedicated counter-terrorism units within the Queensland Police Service.