Home Affairs seeks input on proposed changes to SOCI Act

The Department of Home Affairs is calling for consultations from those around the industry on proposed reforms to the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI Act).

A review by Dr Jill Slay AM into the SOCI Act was tabled at the end of January this year, and while it found the SOCI Act had laid a "strong foundation" for securing Australia’s critical infrastructure, it also found more could be done.

In response, the Department of Home Affairs is progressing a second tranche of reforms.

The proposed amendments would aim to reduce unnecessary complexity and regulatory duplication; modernise and refine sector and asset coverage; clarify legislative expectations, assurance mechanisms, and governance arrangements; and better assess whether security and resilience outcomes are being achieved.

A key objective of the reforms, Home Affairs said, is to make the framework clearer and easier for regulated entities to use.

By enacting clearer statutory concepts, guidance materials and assurance arrangements, the reforms would intend to help regulated entities understand what they need to do, what obligations apply, who is responsible for compliance and how they should demonstrate compliance.

A consultation paper about the proposed reforms is available, with consultation running through to July 31, the same date that written submissions on the consultation close.

Feedback from the consultation will inform Australian Government decisions on the design of the legislative amendments; associated subordinate instruments; the order of implementation; and supporting guidance.

A town hall on 14 July will look at an overview of SOCI Act, while another on 21 July will focus on the proposed amendments​.

Last month, the Australian Government introduced new rules set to come into effect in 2027 concerning critical infrastructure, introducing targeted uplifts to existing risk management requirements for a number of specified asset classes.