FAQs
What is critical infrastructure protection?
A number of existing strategies, plans and procedures that deal with preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from disasters and emergencies come together to protect critical infrastructure. More information about critical infrastructure protection is available in the National Strategy for Critical Infrastructure Protection, which is available from the Publications area of this website.
What is the threat to Australia's critical infrastructure?
The Australian Government believes terrorism is a real threat to Australia's critical infrastructure. Other things, like cyclones, fires and accidents, can also damage or destroy critical infrastructure. The Government therefore believes that arrangements for protecting critical infrastructure need to cover 'all hazards'.
If a disaster damages or destroys part of Australia's critical infrastructure, we need to make sure that it can get up and running as quickly as possible. The Australian Government is working with critical infrastructure owners and operators to make sure Australia's vital services are suitably protected and, if they are damaged, they can be restored quickly.
Who owns Australia's critical infrastructure?
In some parts of Australia, up to 90 per cent of critical infrastructure is privately owned, or operated on a commercial basis. Other critical infrastructure may be owned by the Australian Government or state and territory governments. For more information about who owns Australia’s critical infrastructure visit the stakeholders page.
Who is responsible for protecting Australia's critical infrastructure?
Critical infrastructure owners and operators, and federal, state and territory governments share responsibility for protecting Australia's critical infrastructure. For more information about who is responsible for protecting Australia’s critical infrastructure visit the stakeholders page.
How is Australia's critical infrastructure being protected?
Like most businesses, it is the people who own or operate critical infrastructure who know the best way to protect it, how to manage an incident, and how to get things up and running again if they are affected by an incident.
The Government believes that regulations are not necessarily the best way to protect all types of critical infrastructure. In some areas regulations are needed for special reasons. For example, in the transport industry regulations are needed so Australia can meet international obligations.
Useful references
To find out more, you can: