In 2024, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and its Joint Counter-Terrorism Teams (JCTTs) charged 17 individuals across 12 counter-terrorism operations.
Twelve of those charged were under the age of 18, with youths accounting for 71 percent of all individuals charged with terrorism offences.
The charges ranged from committing a terrorist act to advocating terrorism, and distributing extremist material—highlighting a growing trend of youth involvement in violent extremism.
Between January 2020 and December 2024, AFP’s JCTTs investigated 37 individuals aged 17 or younger, the youngest being just 12 years old. Around 57 percent of these cases involved violent extremist material, including videos and hate speech circulated on platforms like Discord, Telegram, and TikTok.
AFP’s Online Warning for Parents
In response to this trend, the AFP urged parents to monitor their children’s online activity, especially during the holiday season when tech devices are common gifts. The AFP recommended parents check the games their children play, who they interact with, and the content they access to prevent exposure to harmful material.ASIO Chief Mike Burgess noted that online radicalisation is becoming a key challenge in counter-terrorism efforts. “We are seeing more cases of youth radicalisation online,” Burgess told a Senate committee. “A community-wide response is needed to address this issue, as ASIO alone cannot manage the growing threat.”
AFP’s Broader Success in 2024
The AFP’s efforts to combat various forms of crime in 2024 extend beyond terrorism.The agency has charged over 790 individuals across a range of offences, from cybercrime to child exploitation. Notably, the AFP responded to around 20,000 incidents at airports, charging 1,062 people with offences related to drugs, weapons, assaults, and money laundering.
A particular area of concern has been the rise in reports of modern slavery and human trafficking. In 2024, the AFP received a record number of 382 reports related to forced marriage, forced labour, and sexual exploitation, reflecting a 12 percent increase over the previous year.
One of the AFP’s most significant operations in 2024 was Operation Kraken, which targeted a global encrypted communication platform called “Ghost.” This platform, allegedly used by criminals to coordinate illicit activities, was infiltrated by AFP technical experts. The operation resulted in 52 charges and the seizure of 230 kg of illicit drugs, 29 firearms, and $3.4 million in cash.
Espionage and Cybercrime Challenges
The AFP also tackled espionage in 2024, charging an Australian couple under new laws introduced in 2018. The couple allegedly shared Australian Defence Force material with Russian authorities and were arrested in Brisbane. This marked the first espionage charge since the law’s introduction.Another significant AFP operation involved cybercrime. Under Operation Nebulae, the AFP, in coordination with international partners, shut down a phishing platform used by criminals to steal personal data from over 94,000 Australians.
The takedown led to the arrest of 37 individuals globally, underscoring the AFP’s commitment to combating cybercrime.
Despite the challenges, Polychronopoulos said that the AFP would not slow down during the holiday season. “Our work is never done,” he said.
