✦ Plain-English Summary

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Bill 2026

What it does

This bill creates a formal legal framework for the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) — a national agency that collects and shares criminal intelligence across federal, state and local police forces. It sets out what the ACIC can do, how it operates, who runs it, and what powers it has to investigate serious and organised crime.

Why it matters

Currently the ACIC operates under older legislation. This update gives it clearer legal authority and rules for handling sensitive information about criminals and suspects — which affects how police investigate everything from drug trafficking to money laundering. It also establishes when and how information can be shared between different police agencies without accidentally breaching privacy or court procedures.

Key details

• The ACIC's job: Gather intelligence on serious and organised crime, coordinate between police agencies, and share information — but only for legitimate law enforcement purposes
• Director-General role: A senior official runs the agency and is accountable for its decisions (the bill outlines how they're appointed and what they oversee)
• Information sharing rules: The bill clarifies when information can be used before charges are filed versus after, and during confiscation proceedings (asset recovery), so police don't step on ongoing court cases

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