Proposed amendments to the Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program Rules for high-risk asset classes
The security and resilience of our critical infrastructure is fundamental to Australia’s national security and economic stability.
The Australian Government has identified targeted enhancements needed to ensure our critical infrastructure legislation remains clear, proportionate, and able to respond to the evolving threat landscape.
Intelligence agencies have outlined the complex and diverse threats Australia faces and will continue to face over the coming decade. It is vital critical infrastructure owners and operators are equipped to respond and secure the essential services all Australians rely on.
The proposed amendments uplift the requirements of the
Security of Critical Infrastructure (Critical infrastructure risk management program) Rules (LIN 23/006) 2023 (CIRMP Rules) for:
- 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.
The department is aware the proposed amendments will have cost implications and impacts on how businesses make decisions. As part of this consultation, we have asked questions to help us asses the impacts of these amendments to your organisation.
We are seeking your consideration of the proposed reforms and ask for your feedback on the design, implementation, and impact. Your submissions will help shape the regulatory impact analysis, and ensure these reforms are practical, effective and strengthen security.
The proposed amendments are outlined within the
Enhanced CIRMP Rules Consultation Paper (the Consultation Paper).
Addendum to the proposed amendments to enhance the CIRMP Rules
In response to preliminary feedback received through consultation, the Department is proposing to introduce a requirement to develop and maintain a physical security plan as part of the enhanced CIRMP. Physical threats to critical infrastructure could materialise as physical theft of components or sabotage, and significantly impact the ongoing availability of a critical asset, and the social and economic stability of Australia.
Further details on the proposed physical security plan are outlined within the
Addendum to the proposal to enhance the CIRMP Rules.
Town halls to support consultation
During the consultation period, the department hosted virtual town halls on 12 December 2025 and 27 January 2026, to support the consultation. These sessions provided more information on the Consultation Paper and proposed amendments to the CIRMP Rules and an opportunity for the department to answer questions you may have on the proposal.
The town halls were recorded and can be accessed via the
CISC website.
Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) members, look out for updates on the TISN for more events to support this consultation, and for access to recordings of prior sessions.
Providing a Submission
Submissions for the Consultation Paper are open from
9 December 2025 to
13 February 2026. Please send your feedback through the feedback form.
The department will publish submissions on its website after the public consultation period ends, unless advised that a submission is confidential.
Feedback form
More information
For more information on amendments to the CIRMP Rules contact: ci.strategy.guidance@homeaffairs.gov.au.
