Attorney-General George Brandis told reporters in Canberra on Thursday the new system would enable more information about the potential for a terrorism attack to be communicated to the public.
"Our assessment of the level of the threat of terrorism faced by the Australian people is not changing today," Senator Brandis said.
"Our assessment of the threat facing Australia and our determination to deal with the threat facing Australia has not changed one iota. Not one iota," Mr Brandis said.
"There are tremendous differences between the kind of terrorism events that can occur, the lone wolf as we have seen in this country and those like Paris and Lebanon," ASIO chief Duncan Lewis told reporters in Canberra.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"We are not talking about any particular event because the purpose of this scale is to describe the level of risk rather than particularise methods."
The new national terrorism threat advisory system
Certain
A terrorist attack will soon occur/is underway.
Expected
Credible, specific intelligence indicates a current intention,
capability and plan to attack. A terrorist attack is expected.
Probable
Credible intelligence indicates a subject is the target of
terrorists with an intention and capability to conduct an attack. A
terrorist attack is probable and may occur.
Possible
Credible intelligence indicates that while a subject is a
possible target of terrorists, there is limited intent or
capability to conduct an attack. A terrorist attack is possible.
Not expected
There is no indication of any terrorist threat. A terrorist
attack is not expected.
Source: Review of Australia's Counter-Terrorism Machinery
