Two teenage boys have been charged with terrorism-related offences in separate investigations in New South Wales and Victoria.
In Sydney, a 16-year-old is due to appear at a NSW Children’s Court today (25 March, 2026) following an investigation by the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team (NSW JCTT). The probe began on 10 December, 2025, after reports of online threats of extremist violence.
Police executed a search warrant at a home in Sydney’s Inner West on 11 December, seizing electronic devices, a gel blaster and a flick knife. The boy was initially refused bail on 12 December but was granted bail on 19 December.
Further examination of his devices allegedly uncovered materials relating to extremist violence and plans for acts of violence. On 24 March, NSW JCTT laid additional charges, including:
• One count of collecting documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act (maximum penalty 15 years);
• Two counts of making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act (maximum penalty 15 years each); and
• Two counts of possessing violent extremist material (maximum penalty five years each).
He also faces firearms and prohibited weapons charges, each carrying a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment. The NSW JCTT includes members from NSW Police, Australian Federal Police, ASIO and the NSW Crime Commission.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, a 17-year-old boy has been charged by the Victorian JCTT after intelligence identified an ISIS flag imported to an inner-city Melbourne address. A search conducted on 24 March resulted in the seizure of a mobile phone and laptop for forensic examination.
He faces charges of:
• Collecting or making documents likely to facilitate a terrorist act (maximum 15 years’ imprisonment); and
• Importing a prohibited item, the ISIS flag, contrary to the Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
The Victorian boy was remanded to reappear at a later court date. Victorian authorities emphasised there is no current identified threat to public safety.
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