Appendix B - Timeline of major terrorist incidents in Australia since 2005

Pre-2014

  • June 2005

    Operation Pendennis

    Melbourne, Sydney

    The Melbourne cell plotted to bomb the MCG (AFL Grand Final), Grand Prix or Crown Casino.

    The Sydney cell plotted to attack the electricity grid or defence sites.

  • August 2009

    Operation Neath

    Sydney

    Melbourne-based men plot to conduct a mass shooting at Holsworthy Army Base in Sydney.

  • September 2012

    Operation Astley

    Melbourne

    Raids connected with activities at the Al Furqan Islamic Information Centre, Springvale. Firearms seized.

2014

  • 18 September 2014

    Operation Appleby

    Brisbane, Sydney

    Plot to kidnap a random member of the public and behead them on camera, then release the video of the killing after the attack.

    The men had sourced weapons.

  • 23 September 2014

    Operation Goodrich

    Melbourne

    A male attempted to behead two JCTT police officers outside the Endeavour Hills police station, he stabbed them before he was fatally shot.

  • 15 December 2014

    Operation Arrabella

    Sydney

    A male offender held 18 hostages at gun point at a Lindt Cafe.

    It ended with the death of the offender and two hostages.

2015

  • 10 February 2015

    Operation Castrum

    Fairfield, Sydney

    Two NSW-based men plotted to behead a member of the public.

    A machete, hunting knife and ISIL flag were seized.

    They had also created a martyrdom video.

  • 18 April 2015

    Operation Rising

    Melbourne

    A male plotted to conduct an attack at an ANZAC Day service by running over a police officer, beheading him, taking his firearm and shooting others until martyred.

  • 8 May 2015

    Operation Amberd

    Melbourne

    17-year-old male planned to detonate bombs at a Mother's Day event in Melbourne.

  • 2 October 2015

    Operation SF Fellows

    Paramatta, NSW

    A male fatally shot a NSW police employee outside the Parramatta police headquarters.

    The offender was fatally shot by responding police.

  • 10 December 2015

    Operation Appleby

    Sydney

    Five offenders charged with terrorism related offences.

2016

  • 25 January 2016

    Operation Chillon

    Sydney

    A male and female plotted to conduct a knife attack at Parramatta Westfield.

    They had instructions on manufacturing an IED.

  • 24 April 2016

    Operation Vianden

    Sydney

    NSW based 16-year-old attempted to acquire a firearm for an alleged terrorist act targeting ANZAC Day ceremonies in NSW.

  • 17 May 2016

    Operation Sanadres

    Sydney

    Plot to conduct an imminent shooting attack.

    Male had undertaken reconnaissance at the Parramatta Court, Garden Island Navy Base and Victoria Barracks.

  • 14 June 2016

    Operation Himeji

    A 17-year-old teenager with autism allegedly planned a terrorist attack potentially involving a knife on a police officer.

    He has been charged with terrorism offences.

  • 6 August 2016

    Operation Fortaleza

    Melbourne

    Right wing extremist was arrested for planning an IED attack at a location frequented by the left wing supporters.

  • 10 September 2016

    Operation Tressider

    Minto, NSW

    A male stabbed a 59-year-old man, stating "these people are killing my brothers and sisters in Iraq".

  • 12 October 2016

    Operation Restormel

    Sydney

    Two 16-year-old boys allegedly preparing to behead a person in Sydney's southwest.

    They had purchased two bayonets.

  • 11 December 2016

    Associated to Operation Kastleholm

    Fawkner, VIC

    Three males conducted an arson attack on the Imam Ali Islamic Centre.

  • 23 December 2016

    Operation Kastleholm

    Melbourne

    Four men plotted to conduct an attack in the CBD on Christmas Day using explosives and other weapons.

2017

  • 5 June 2017

    Operation Tematin

    Brighton, VIC

    Member of the public killed and three police officers injured during a siege/hostage attack in which the offender was killed by police.

  • 14 June 2017

    Strike force Murramah

    Sydney

    Male attempted to stab a police officer in order to 'further the course of Islamic terrorism'.

  • 29 July 2017

    Operation Silves

    Sydney

    Four suspects plotted to bring down a plane with an IED. Once detonated the IED would release toxic gas.

    The men had assistance from overseas.

  • 27 November 2017

    Operation San Jose

    Melbourne

    Male arrested for attempting to obtain a firearm with the intention to undertake a terrorist attack in Federation Square on New Year's Eve.

2018

  • 9 February 2018

    Operation Vecchio

    Mill Park, VIC

    Female was arrested for undertaking a knife attack in a Mill Park home.

  • 9 November 2018

    Operation Craggenburg

    Melbourne

    Member of the public killed and two injured during a mixed mode attack.

    Offender was fatally shot by police.

  • 20 November 2018

    Operation Donabate

    Melbourne

    Three men arrested following plot to source a firearm for mass shooting.

2019

  • 2 July 2019

    Guerilla plot

    Sydney

    Self-declared 'Commander of IS in Australia' plotted to create a stronghold in the Blue Mountains and direct fighters to conduct 'guerilla' attacks in various Sydney locations.

2020

  • 14 March 2020

    Explosives plot

    21-year-old male was arrested by JCTT-SO, intending to replicate Christchurch attacks.

    Male had been practising detonating explosives and conducting reconnaissance on mosques.

  • 30 October 2020

    Operation Betterndorf

    Melbourne

    Imprisoned terrorist charged with an additional terrorist offence after stabbing a fellow inmate.

  • 27 November 2020

    Firearm plot

    Bundaberg, QLD

    Queensland based individual sought firearms training for an alleged terrorist act in the Bundaberg region.

  • 17 December 2020

    Stabbing attack

    Brisbane

    Male offender fatally shot by police on Brisbane motorway after killing elderly couple in their home.

2021

  • 17 March 2021

    Operation Loonbeek

    Melbourne

    Three males lit fires in bushland in support of ISIL in February 2021, and were involved in a March 2021 assault.

  • 28 November 2021

    Operation Bletsoe

    Windang, NSW

    40-year-old male shot at passing cars and pedestrians before barricading himself inside a nearby dive shop.

Updated