Proposed amendments to the CIRMP Rules for high-risk asset classes
The security and resilience of our critical infrastructure is fundamental to Australia’s national security, defence and socioeconomic stability. Intelligence agencies have outlined the complex and diverse threats Australia faces and will continue to face over the coming decade. It is vital that critical infrastructure owners and operators are equipped to respond and secure the essential services all Australians rely on.
The Australian Government has identified targeted enhancements for key critical infrastructure asset classes that are needed to ensure our critical infrastructure legislation remains clear, proportionate, and able to respond to the evolving threat landscape.
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 proposed amendments are outlined in the Enhanced CIRMP Rules Consultation Paper (the Consultation Paper).
Addendum to the proposed amendments to enhance the CIRMP Rules
In response to initial feedback received through consultation, the department introduced a proposed 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, damage, or sabotage. This could 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 in 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 consultation. These sessions provided more information on the Consultation Paper, the proposed amendments to the CIRMP Rules and an opportunity for the department to answer questions you may have had on the proposal.
The town halls were recorded, and you can access them through the
CISC website.
Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) members, can find additional updates and events on the TISN.
More information
For more information on amendments to the CIRMP Rules contact:
ci.strategy.guidance@homeaffairs.gov.au.
Submissions to the Enhanced CIRMP Rules Consultation Paper
The Enhanced CIRMP Rules Consultation Paper was released on 9 December 2025 seeking submissions by 13 February 2026. Including late submissions, the department received over 60 submissions in response.
The department will consult further on the proposed measures through an Exposure Draft of the Enhanced CIRMP Rules.
Public Submissions to the Consultation Paper
