This Bulletin was last issued on Friday, 31 October 2014.   It contains new information (a recent posting on a jihadist forum website encouraged attacks against teachers at international schools around the world. We are not aware of any specific information to suggest an attack is being planned.)

On 12 September 2014, the Government raised the domestic National Terrorism Public Alert level to High. This represents the assessed threat of terrorist attack within Australia. Heightened security arrangements are in place, including at Australia's international airports.

Australia is viewed by ISIL and other groups as a legitimate target for terrorist attacks. This threat extends worldwide. Even in cases where attacks may not specifically target Australian interests, Australians could be harmed in indiscriminate attacks or attacks aimed at others. In the past decade, Australians have been killed and injured in terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Mumbai, Jakarta, London and Bali.

A recent posting on a jihadist forum website encouraged attacks against teachers, including Australian teachers, at international schools around the world. The post does not represent planning for an attack, nor are we aware of any specific information to suggest an attack is being planned. The website post notes the presence of international schools in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Sudan, Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia. It makes specific mention of two schools in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (American International School and Advanced Generations School) and the suburb of Ma’adi, in Cairo, Egypt, where numbers of teachers at international schools reside.

We encourage Australians involved with international schools, who may have concerns, to engage with the school to ensure it is aware of the threat and that appropriate security arrangements are in place.

In the past decade, Australians have been killed and injured in terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Mumbai, Jakarta, London and Bali.

The risks faced by Australians when travelling overseas are covered in the travel advisories on the smartraveller.gov.au website. These advisories are reviewed and reissued regularly.

If the Government has any specific and credible information on terrorist attack planning, this will appear in the relevant country-specific advisory. We encourage Australians who are planning to travel overseas to subscribe to this free service before travelling, so that you stay informed on the latest risks. You should pay particular attention to the ‘Do not travel’ areas outlined in these advisories, which might include borders areas or other locations where the risks of travel are higher than the rest of the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade continues to advise all Australians abroad, and particularly those in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, to maintain a high level of awareness of their surroundings and to monitor the local media and other sources of information on security issues, including areas which should be avoided. As you would in Australia, report anything suspicious and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Be particularly careful in locations known to be targeted by terrorists. These include places frequented by foreigners such as shopping malls, expatriate housing complexes, hotels, hostels, guest houses, bars, clubs, restaurants, movie theatres, schools, places of worship, tourist areas, markets, shopping centres, banks, car parks, airports and aircraft, and outdoor recreation and major sporting events. Consider the level of security provided at these locations before you decide to visit them.

You should also be aware that symbols and infrastructure associated with governments, public transport, military and security are potential terrorist targets. Western interests such as embassies, public transport, oil and gas infrastructure, government buildings and premises of multinational companies, are also potential terrorist targets. Significant dates, anniversaries and religious festivals are also symbolic and terrorists have used such occasions in the past to mount attacks.

Terrorist operations can include kidnappings; hijackings; bombings; suicide operations or other acts of violence, such as drive-by assassinations. Terrorist groups have also demonstrated a capacity to pursue other types of operations against Western interests including attacks against maritime targets.

Why teachers...?

Be particularly careful in locations known to be targeted by terrorists. These include places frequented by foreigners such as shopping malls, expatriate housing complexes, hotels, hostels, guest houses, bars, clubs, restaurants, movie theatres, schools, places of worship, tourist areas, markets, shopping centres, banks, car parks, airports and aircraft, and outdoor recreation and major sporting events.