In a decisive move against online extremism, the Australian government has officially declared the white supremacist network known as Terrorgram a terrorist organisation.
The landmark designation, announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, brings Australia in line with international allies such as the UK and the US, which have already taken similar action.
Terrorgram, which primarily operates through encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been linked to global terror attacks and is known for promoting violent, racist, and nationalist content.
The group distributes extremist propaganda and shares operational materials encouraging attacks on minorities, infrastructure, and individuals it deems enemies.
Burke confirmed that the listing followed thorough consultations with national security and intelligence agencies and warned that the group represents a serious and growing threat.
“This listing will give Australian police and security and intelligence agencies significantly more power to keep Australians safe and restrict the operation of extremists in our country,”
“This group fosters and promotes an ideology that would seek to make some Australians feel unwelcome in their home, it is this extremist hatred which is not welcome and has no place in Australia.” he said.
The designation means that anyone associated with Terrorgram—including those who recruit, fund, train, or offer support—can now face up to 25 years in prison under Australian law.
This follows financial sanctions imposed by Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong in February, making it a criminal offence—punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment—to deal with or provide assets to the group.
According to Burke online radicalisation has become a “growing threat”, but the government is working to keep the country safe.
The listing sends a clear message: violent ideologies spread behind the veil of the internet will not be tolerated, and the full weight of the law will be used to stop them.
Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, announced sweeping sanctions against the group in February, alongside four other white supremacist groups: the National Socialist Order, the Russian Imperial Movement, Sonnenkrieg Division, and The Base.
Under Division 102 of the Criminal Code Act 1995, it is now “an offence to be a member of, associate with members of, recruit for, train with, get funds to, from or for, or provide support to a terrorist organisation”.
Australia is working closely with international partners to fight terrorism and violent extremism around the world, sharing intelligence, coordinating sanctions, and strengthening legal frameworks to ensure extremist networks have fewer places to operate.
