Safeguarding Australia 2025 — 29 - 30 October, Canberra
21st National Security Annual Summit
Safeguarding Australia summit series is Australia’s premier national security event and the nation’s longest running since 2002

As America retreats into isolationism, leaving its allies to navigate a fractured global order, Australia stands at a crossroad. The 21st National Security Annual Summit — Safeguarding Australia 2025 in partnership with Defence, Science & Technology Group (DST) and Cyber and Infrastructure Security Centre of the Department of Home Affairs and Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation will seek to convene and address this pivotal moment: with China’s military assertiveness redrawing Indo-Pacific power dynamics and Washington’s wavering commitments sparking uncertainty, how will Canberra secure its sovereignty, prosperity, and unity in this era of disorder?

A World in Flux: Allies on the Edge

The summit’s theme, “Navigating the New World Disorder,” takes on urgent new meaning as Australia confronts dual realities: a distracted America questioning its role as global guarantor, and an emboldened China accelerating its military and cyber ambitions. From Taiwan to the South China Sea, Beijing’s adventurism looms large, while Washington’s inward turn forces allies like Australia to rethink dependence on traditional security frameworks. How does a middle power thrive—or even survive—in this vacuum?

This year’s summit dissects the hard truths of sovereignty in an age of disruption:

• Sovereign Capability & Resilience: Can Australia fast-track defence manufacturing and AI innovation to offset America’s unpredictability?

• Cyber & Critical Infrastructure: With state-sponsored attacks surging, how do we shield energy grids and supply chains from hybrid warfare?

• AI & Autonomy: Will AI be our guardian or Achilles’ heel in countering authoritarian tech dominance?

• Countering Coercion: As China weaponises trade and disinformation, what legal shields will protect Australia’s democracy?

• Regional Stability: With the Pacific becoming a chessboard, can Australia lead through partnerships with ASEAN and the Quad—or will it be outmaneuvered?

Australia’s Moment: Build a Self-Reliant Future or Stay the Course?

The summit isn’t just about risks—it’s about rewriting the rules. From climate-driven disasters straining Pacific neighbours to social fractures exploited by extremists, Australia’s choices will reverberate globally. Will we cling to eroding alliances, or carve a bold, self-reliant path? Can we harness renewable energy and cyber ingenuity to defy coercion?

Why You Can’t Afford to Miss This:

Network with leaders redefining security in an era where old allies waver and new threats escalate. Whether you’re in government, industry, or civil society, your voice will shape policies determining whether Australia becomes a pawn—or a powerhouse—in the New World Disorder.

Why Attend?

• Align with Australia’s national security priorities and government strategies.

• Engage with leaders on traditional and non-traditional threats, from cyber warfare to climate security.

• Position Australia as a proactive leader in the Indo-Pacific.

• Future-proof against emerging risks: AI, geopolitical competition, and hybrid threats.

Act Now

Join policymakers, industry leaders, and security experts to shape Australia’s resilience in an era of unprecedented challenges.

Register Today → Be part of the dialogue defining Australia’s security for decades to come.

Attendee Profile

Safeguarding Australia summit is the only high-level event run by and for leading thinkers, policymakers and practitioners in the national security domain, working across whole-of-government at state and federal levels, including law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as engaging with corporate and private security practitioners and providers.

*Summit program is under development, for further updates, please subscribe to the mailing list below*

 
Summit Co-Convenor

Summit Co-Convenor

 
 
Summit Convenor

Summit Convenor

Summit Co-Convenor

Summit Co-Convenor

  • “ Really appreciated the rich, candid discussions and case studies. ”
    — NMI, 2023
  • “ A very enjoyable conference. ”
    — AFP, 2023
  • “ Great event, will be back next year. ”
    — RMIT, 2022
  • “ An excellent event, a good number of attendees and presenters (neither too many or too few), great venue, excellent presenters. ”
    — DST Group, 2022
  • “ Great program! ”
    — ARPANSA, 2022
  • “ Exploration of solutions (technology, processes etc) were very useful for my purposes, linking business areas of Home Affairs which is where the Tech Surprise Forum was helpful. ”
    — Department of Home Affairs, 2019
  • “ Very interesting and relevant topics. Enjoyed the diverse nature of the attendees and speakers. ”
    — Department of Defence, 2019
  • “ An excellent conference, very worthwhile. Also a great networking opportunity, it was hard to pick the best speakers. ”
    — Department of Defence, 2018
  • “ The conference has arranged for an excellent variety of topics and industry voices, there wasn’t a single presentation I didn’t get something out of!” ”
    — National Security College, ANU, 2018
  • “ From an information viewpoint, it was extremely interesting. As a manager not involved in the public sector, defence industry or academia, the subjects covered were still vibrant and relevant. Would recommend for our security team. ”
    — Scentre Group, 2018
  • “ A very informative and useful conference. As a Defence employee, I am somewhat isolated from civilian perspectives. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to hear the issues and potential solutions being examined in the civil sector. ”
    — Department of Defence, 2017
  • “ A thoroughly enjoyable conference! ”
    — Crime and Corruption Commission of QLD, 2016

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