China News Service, November 28. According to a report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on the 28th local time, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) announced that it has downgraded the threat of terrorism in Australia from "very likely" to "possible".
This is the first time in eight years that the country has lowered its terrorism threat level.
Data map: Sydney, Australia.
According to reports, Australian Prime Minister Albanese expressed support for the decision.
ASIO said the decision was "after careful consideration and consultation" and while Australia remained a potential terrorist target, there were fewer extremists interested in launching attacks on Australian soil than in 2014.
The threat level was raised in 2014 by ASIO amid fears that Australians fighting with Islamic militant groups overseas and citizens who became militants in Iraq or Syria could carry out terrorist attacks, according to Reuters.
However, ASIO said the change did not mean all terrorist threats had been eradicated.
Deadly attacks could still occur in the next 12 months.
According to reports, since 2014, there have been 11 terrorist attacks on Australian soil, and 21 major terrorist plots have been "discovered and disrupted".