Proposed amendments to streamline and modernise the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018

The Department of Home Affairs consulted on proposed amendments to streamline and modernise the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, following the Independent Review into the Act delivered by Dr Jill Slay AM on 31 January 2026. The review found that the Act has established a strong foundation for protecting Australia's critical infrastructure, strengthened national security and resilience, and improved partnerships between government and industry, while also finding that the legislative framework needs ongoing refinement as the threat environment evolves, including growing system interconnection and the emergence of new nationally significant sectors and technologies.

In response, the Department released a consultation paper, Streamlining and modernising the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018, setting out a second tranche of proposed reforms. The proposed amendments would aim to reduce unnecessary complexity and regulatory duplication, modernise and refine the sectors and assets covered by the Act, clarify legislative expectations, assurance mechanisms and governance arrangements, and improve the ability to assess whether security and resilience outcomes are actually being achieved.

The Department held three public virtual town hall sessions during the consultation period, on 6 July, 14 July and 21 July 2026, along with an impact analysis session, to explain the proposals and answer questions. The consultation period has now closed, and the Department has said it will publish submissions on its website unless requested otherwise, subject to redaction of commercially sensitive or protected information. No final legislative amendments have yet been introduced, and the specific sectors or assets that may be added or removed from coverage have not been confirmed.