The Independent Review into the
Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act) was delivered on 31 January 2026 by Dr Jill Slay AM. The review found that the SOCI Act has laid a strong foundation for safeguarding Australia’s most important infrastructure assets. It has significantly strengthened national security and resilience, established a risk-based regulatory framework, and improved partnerships between Government and industry. However, as Dr Slay AM notes, “the threat environment continues to evolve, as infrastructure systems become more interconnected and complex, and as new sectors and technologies emerge as nationally significant, the framework will require continuous refinement”.
The Independent Review’s recommendations are principally directed at reducing complexity and improving the agility and responsiveness of the SOCI Act, including through pursuing legislative reforms. In line with these recommendations, the Department of Home Affairs (the department) is progressing the first tranche of initiatives, including:
- proposed amendments to Ministerial Directions Powers in Part 3 of the SOCI Act
- Exposure Draft of the enhancements of the Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program Rules
The department will consult on both initiatives until 1 May 2026.
The department is running concurrent consultation processes for both initiatives, noting initial consultation has already occurred on enhancements to the CIRMP.
Separate townhalls will be held for each initiative. If you are unable to attend, recordings will be made available to view on the CISC website.
Should entities wish to provide feedback, separate submissions will be needed for each of the initiatives.
Consultation on proposed amendments to Ministerial Directions Powers in Part 3 of the
Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018
The department is seeking industry views on a potential package of five targeted measures to enhance the Ministerial Directions Powers under Part 3 of the SOCI Act. These measures aim to provide greater flexibility and precision in managing serious national security risks to critical infrastructure, while maintaining clear safeguards and accountability. They also respond to previous feedback from industry, including through submissions received on both
Developing Horizon 2 of the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy and the Independent Review of the SOCI Act, calling for greater clarity on how and when a direction may be used, and what procedural safeguards will apply.
The proposed amendments are outlined within the
Consultation Paper: Proposed amendments to the Ministerial Directions Powers in Part 3 of the SOCI Act.
Town Halls to support Directions Powers in Part 3 of the SOCI Act
The department will host two public virtual town halls during the consultation period to provide further information on the proposed enhancements to the Directions Powers in Part 3 of the SOCI Act. The session will also provide an opportunity to address your questions on the proposal.
You can register for the public town halls by clicking the link below:
The CISC website will make the
recording of the town halls available in the days following the town halls.
For Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) members, look out for updates on the TISN for more events to support this consultation.
Providing a submission for the Ministerial Directions Powers
Submissions for the Ministerial Directions Powers in Part 3 of the SOCI Act are open until 1 May 2026. Please send your feedback through the submission portal.
The department will publish submissions on its website after the public consultation period ends, unless advised that a submission is confidential.
The consultation paper asks several questions for each measure that could guide the structure of your submission.
Submissions may only be provided in PDF, JPEG, JPG, or PNG file formats.
Submissions - Ministerial Directions Powers
More information
For more information on the proposed changes to Ministerial Directions Powers please email
CI.REFORMS@homeaffairs.gov.au.
Exposure Draft of the proposed enhancements to the Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program Rules (CIRMP Rules)
The department is proposing legislative amendments to the Security of Critical Infrastructure (Critical infrastructure risk management program) Rules (LIN 23/006) 2023 (CIRMP Rules) for specific asset classes.
The department consulted on the Enhanced CIRMP Rules Consultation Paper from 9 December 2025 to 13 February 2026. Over 60 submissions were received. This feedback has been considered and is reflected in the Cover letter and Exposure Draft of the enhanced CIRMP Rules.
Amendments are proposed to apply to the following asset classes:
- critical energy market operator assets
- critical electricity assets
- critical gas assets
- critical liquid fuel assets
- critical water assets
- critical broadcasting assets
- critical domain name systems
- critical freight service assets
- critical freight infrastructure assets
We are seeking your consideration of the
Exposure Draft Security of Critical Infrastructure Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program) Rules 2026 and ask for your feedback on draft of the rules. Your submissions will help refine the drafting and ensure these reforms are practical, effective and strengthen security.
The above link consists of:
- a covering summary providing insight on previous consultation and guidance on how to provide a submission
- a copy of the Exposure Draft at Attachment A
- a summary of stakeholder feedback from the consultation paper at Attachment B.
Town hall to support the Exposure Draft of the CIRMP Rules
The department will host a virtual town hall during the Exposure Draft consultation period to provide further information on the proposed enhancements to the CIRMP Rules. The session will also provide an opportunity to address your questions on the proposal.
You can register for the public town hall by clicking the link below:
The CISC website will make the
recording of the town hall available in the days following the town hall.
For Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) members, look out for updates on the TISN for more events to support this consultation.
Providing a Submission to the Exposure Draft of the CIRMP Rules
Submissions for the CIRMP Rules Exposure Draft are open until 1 May 2026. Please send your feedback through the submission portal.
The department will publish submissions on its website after the public consultation period ends, unless advised that a submission is confidential.
Submissions may only be provided in PDF, JPEG, JPG, or PNG file formats.
All submissions provided through this process will be provided to the Minister for Home Affairs for his consideration.
Submissions - Exposure Draft of CIRMP Rules
More information on the Exposure Draft of the CIRMP Rules
For more information on amendments to the CIRMP Rules contact ci.strategy.guidance@homeaffairs.gov.au.
