Communications Access Co-ordinator
The Communications Access Co-ordinator is a statutory position created under the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979. An officer of the Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department, currently the First Assistant Secretary of the Security and Critical Infrastructure Division fills the role.
The Communications Access Co-ordinator is the primary point of liaison between telecommunications interception agencies and telecommunications carriers and carriage service providers, including the education of key stakeholders on the operation of the Australian telecommunications interception framework. In particular, the Communications Access Co-ordinator plays a major role in assisting members of the telecommunications industry to comply with their legislative obligations to provide reasonably necessary assistance to Australian law enforcement and national security agencies, including the development of interception capability.
The Communications Access Co-ordinator is also responsible for or involved in a series of statutory processes, including the granting of carrier licences and exemptions from interception capability obligations, and the consideration of interception capability plans. In this capacity, the Communications Access Co-ordinator works closely with the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Australian Communications and Media Authority to ensure the most effective balance between the interests of the agencies and industry members.
Further information about the role of the Communications Access Co-ordinator or interception capability and assistance obligations can be requested by emailing communications.access.coordinator@ag.gov.au.