CANBERRA, ACT, Nov. 10 -- Australian Federal Police issued the following media release:
This is a joint media release between the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police Force, ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.
A Sydney teenager was sentenced to a three-year Community Corrections Order by the NSW Supreme Court yesterday (9 November, 2026), for acts in preparation for a terrorist attack and violent extremist material offences.
The NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) - comprising the AFP, NSW Police Force, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and the NSW Crime Commission - began an investigation in mid-2024.
The JCTT investigation identified that between 30 June and 7 August, 2024, the young person undertook acts in preparation for a terrorist act by researching attack methodologies and target locations.
During this time, the boy also intentionally transmitted violent extremist material via social media platforms and other online forums.
A search warrant executed at a residence in Sydney on 7 August, 2024, where police located and seized the boy's mobile phone, which was later found to contain 41 violent extremist material files.
He was subsequently arrested, and on 13 February, 2026, pleaded guilty to:
* One count of acts in preparation for, or planning, a terrorist act, contrary to section 101.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); * One count of using a carriage service to transmit violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45B(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995; and * One count of using a carriage service to possess/control violent extremist material, contrary to section 474.45C(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth).
Recognising early signs of change in a young person's behaviour can play a crucial role in guiding young people to safe and supportive pathways.
Signs a person may be susceptible to radicalisation include:
* distancing themselves from their usual friends and family members;* an increase in the extremist nature of their rhetoric or propaganda they propagate;* a child using hateful or emotionally charged language;* developing a fixation on conspiracy theories or contentious social issues;* displaying extreme reaction to certain news or politics, or* spending increasing amounts of time in fringe forums on the internet.
If you believe someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) or local police (131 444).
If you suspect someone is being radicalised online or in person, call the National Security Hotline on 1800 123 400. For anonymous reporting, visit the Crime Stoppers website or call 1800 333 000.
Information and support are also available at the Step Together website, which is a helpline and digital support service for members of the community seeking advice on how to support loved ones and protect who may be vulnerable and on a path to violent extremism.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
