Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

INTELLIGENCE SERVICES ACT 2001 - SECT 7

  (1)   The functions of ASD are:

  (a)   to obtain intelligence about the capabilities, intentions or activities of people or organisations outside Australia in the form of electromagnetic energy, whether guided or unguided or both, or in the form of electrical, magnetic or acoustic energy, for the purposes of meeting the requirements of the Government, and in particular the requirements of the Defence Force, for such intelligence; and

  (b)   to communicate, in accordance with the Government's requirements, such intelligence; and

  (c)   to prevent and disrupt, by electronic or similar means, cybercrime undertaken by people or organisations outside Australia; and

  (ca)   to provide material, advice and other assistance to any person or body mentioned in subsection   (2) on matters relating to the security and integrity of information that is processed, stored or communicated by electronic or similar means; and

  (d)   to provide assistance to the Defence Force in support of military operations and to cooperate with the Defence Force on intelligence matters; and

  (da)   to protect specialised technologies acquired in connection with the performance of any of the preceding functions; and

  (e)   to provide assistance to Commonwealth authorities and State authorities in relation to:

  (i)   cryptography, and communication and computer technologies; and

  (ii)   other specialised technologies acquired in connection with the performance of its other functions; and

  (iii)   the performance by those authorities of search and rescue functions; and

  (f)   to cooperate with and assist bodies referred to in section   13A in accordance with that section.

Note:   For limits on the agency's functions and activities see sections   11 and 12.

  (2)   For the purposes of paragraph   (1)(ca), material, advice and other assistance may be provided to the following:

  (a)   a Commonwealth authority;

  (b)   a State authority;

  (c)   a foreign person or entity;

  (d)   any other person or body if:

  (i)   the material, advice and other assistance are provided for the purpose of protecting or facilitating trade and commerce with other countries, among the States, between Territories or between a Territory and a State, or outside Australia; or

  (ii)   the material, advice and other assistance are provided by way of a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service (within the meaning of paragraph   51(v) of the Constitution); or

  (iii)   the information was obtained or generated in the operation of a postal, telegraphic, telephonic or other like service (within the meaning of paragraph   51(v) of the Constitution).

Note:   For State authority , see section   3.