Dr Jill Slay AM delivered the Independent Review into the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act) on 31 January 2026.
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.
The review also identified that, as the threat environment continues to evolve – including increasing interconnection of systems, growing complexity, and the emergence of new nationally significant sectors and technologies – the legislative framework required ongoing refinement. As noted by Dr Slay, the SOCI framework must remain adaptable to ensure it continues to meet its objectives effectively.
The review’s recommendations are principally directed at reducing complexity and improving the agility, clarity and responsiveness of the SOCI Act, including through targeted legislative reform.
In response, the Department of Home Affairs is progressing a second tranche of reforms. The proposed amendments would:
- reduce unnecessary complexity and regulatory duplication
- modernise and refine sector and asset coverage
- clarify legislative expectations, assurance mechanisms, and governance arrangements
- better assess whether security and resilience outcomes are being achieved.
A key objective of these reforms is to make the framework clearer and easier for regulated entities to use. Clearer statutory concepts, guidance materials and assurance arrangements would help entities understand:
- what they need to do
- when obligations apply
- who is responsible for compliance
- how to demonstrate compliance.
These changes aim to support a more mature and effective regulatory framework that can assess whether risk management arrangements are implemented and operating as intended.
Consultation period
Consultation opens on Friday 3 July 2026 and closes on Friday 31 July 2026 .
Consultation paper
The proposed amendments are outlined in the consultation paper,
Streamlining and modernising the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018.
Have your say
Submit your written response through the submission form by Friday 31 July 2026.
We encourage you to respond to the questions in the consultation paper that are relevant to you or your organisation. You can respond to all questions or only the questions that apply to you.
Feedback from this consultation will inform Australian Government decisions on:
- the design of the legislative amendments
- associated subordinate instruments
- the order of implementation
- supporting guidance.
Publication and use of submissions
The department will publish submissions on the its website unless you ask us not to.
The department may redact parts of published submissions that include:
- commercially sensitive information
- information that is protected under Part 4 of the SOCI Act.
The department will handle personal information shared through the consultation process in line with the
Privacy Act 1988.
Consultation Town Hall sessions
To support the consultation process, the department will host
three public virtual Town Hall sessions on 6 July, 14 July and 21 July 2026. These sessions will provide information on the consultation paper, the proposed amendments, and will provide an opportunity to address questions on the proposal.
You can register for the public town halls by clicking the links below:
More information
For more information on the proposed changes, please email CI.REFORMS@homeaffairs.gov.au.
