Fines or Jail for Entering, Filming, or Flying Drones in Defence Security Zones; Security Cameras Banned in Bathrooms and Change Rooms
Defence Legislation Amendment (Accelerating Capability and Protecting Bases) Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Topics
criminal penalties land use law enforcement national security privacy public safety surveillance
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Defence Minister can declare different types of defence security zones, including fixed, temporary, mobile, and emergency zones. Some Commonwealth-owned land, buildings, and vehicles used by the defence force are automatically designated as security zones.
Entering or staying in a defence security zone without permission is now a crime. For 'special' security zones, people face up to 7 years jail or 420 penalty units (2026: $152,880). For ordinary, mobile, or emergency zones, people face up to 2 years jail or 120 penalty units (2026: $43,680). Some of these are strict liability offences that carry smaller fines of 20 or 60 penalty units (2026: $21,840).
Taking photos, recording images, sketching, or making plans of defence security zones is banned. In special zones, this can lead to 7 years jail or 420 penalty units (2026: $152,880). In other zones, it can lead to 2 years jail or 120 penalty units (2026: $43,680), or a fine of 20 penalty units (2026: $7,280).
Operating drones, aircraft, or interfering with defence assets in these zones without permission is banned. Penalties range from 20 penalty units (2026: $7,280) up to 7 years jail or 420 penalty units (2026: $152,880), depending on the type of zone and the risk caused.
Dealing with restricted items or sensitive information relating to defence security zones is banned. Depending on the zone and the risk, this carries a fine of up to 60 penalty units (2026: $21,840) or a penalty of up to 7 years jail or 420 penalty units (2026: $152,880).
The Defence Minister can cancel a person's standing permission to enter these zones if it conflicts with security purposes. People can seek a review of this decision, as well as decisions to grant or change permissions for zones not owned by the Commonwealth.
Area managers for defence security zones are banned from installing security monitoring equipment in bathrooms, toilets, change rooms, or residential accommodation.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ombudsman must now get approval from the Defence Minister before entering a special defence security zone for investigations.
Defence security zones are now classified as 'public infrastructure' under the criminal code, and offences relating to these zones are now considered 'protective service offences' for the Australian Federal Police.