Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) is an independent statutory office holder in the Commonwealth of Australia responsible for reviewing the activities of the six intelligence agencies under IGIS jurisdiction. With own motion powers in addition to considering complaints or requests from ministers, IGIS is a key element of the accountability regime for Australia’s intelligence and security agencies. The six intelligence and security agencies under IGIS jurisdiction are: Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO) Office of National Intelligence (ONI) In addition, the Surveillance Legislation (Identify and Disrupt) Act 2021 expanded IGIS’s jurisdiction to include oversight of the use of network activity warrants by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and the Australian Federal Police. History The office was formally established by the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 (the IGIS Act) and commenced operating on 1 February 1987. The inaugural Inspector for Intelligence and Security was Neil McInnes.