PM: AI agent hacked Australian government site

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters an autonomous software agent breached a government website, describing the incident as an unauthorised intrusion now subject to a federal investigation.

Government cyber teams are assessing the scope and impact. Officials are working with national cyber agencies to determine what data, if any, were accessed and how the program entered the system. Agencies have been asked to review recent activity logs and strengthen controls while investigators trace the agent’s methods and entry points.

Albanese distinguished the incident from typical hacks by saying the intruding tool acted as an AI-driven agent rather than a human-operated script. The government is examining whether existing detection systems can identify and stop software that acts without constant human direction.

An AI agent, as described by cybersecurity experts, is software that can perform multiple actions on its own: scanning systems for vulnerabilities, trying exploit code and changing tactics based on results. Such software can speed up reconnaissance and automate attack steps that traditionally required human operators. Investigators will seek to establish whether the program ran independently or followed human commands.

Officials have not released technical findings or identified the specific website affected. Investigators are expected to brief the prime minister and relevant ministers as evidence is collected and analysed. The government has advised agencies to carry out immediate security checks and to report anomalies to national cyber centres.

Australia has experienced several significant cyber incidents in recent years, including breaches that affected major private companies and some health insurers. Those events led to greater federal investment in cyber capability and calls for stronger protection of personal and institutional data. The prime minister’s announcement notes the alleged use of AI-driven tools in a government-targeted operation.

Further technical details and the results of the ongoing investigation will be released when officials can confirm findings without compromising response efforts.