After passage of the National Security Legislation Amendment Act 2014 by the Australian Parliament, ASIO officers are exempt from prosecution for a wide range of illegal activities in the course of conducting "operations".

ASIO officers may carry arms, and the Minister responsible has the ability under certain conditions to approve the provision of any weapon or training to any specified person, even outside of ASIO officers.

The ASIO Act defines the special investigative powers available to ASIO under warrant signed by the Attorney-General: The Director-General also has the power to independently issue a warrant in situations where a warrant has been requested of the Attorney-General but not yet granted, and a serious security situation arises.

When investigating terrorism, the Director-General may also seek a warrant from an independent judicial authority to allow: The Director-General is not empowered to independently issue a terrorism-related warrant.

Criminal offences established under the ASIO Act include: