Who's responsible:

Telecommunications interception and surveillance

The Telecommunications and Surveillance Law Branch of the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department administers the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and the Surveillance Devices Act 2004. In this role, the Branch provides legal and policy advice in relation to these Acts, as well as carriage of any amendments to these pieces of legislation.
 
These Acts provide enforcement and national security agencies with significant investigative tools, including the ability to obtain warrants to intercept communications, obtain access to stored communications, install and use surveillance devices, and to obtain access to telecommunications data while still protecting the privacy of individuals.

The Branch provides advice to key stakeholders, including law enforcement and national security agencies, members of the industry and privacy groups, concerning the operation of these investigative tools.

The Branch also provides legal and policy guidance to the Communications Access Co-ordinator as well as assistance in carrying out his or her statutory duties and liaison functions.