Understanding national security through the eyes of Australians

What does national security mean to you?

To some Australians, national security means the physical protection of our sovereign territory, especially in terms of defence, intelligence and border protection.

To others, it includes protection from broader challenges like disasters, cyber-attacks, or climate change.

Still others see security as linked to economic, democratic and social resilience – a necessary foundation for maintaining a well-functioning society in which citizens can be confident that normal life can, and will, continue.

Our national security can also be seen as something even larger: a sense of wanting to protect who we are, and what we value, as Australians.

There is no permanently agreed definition of ‘national security’. Each elected government may develop its own definition, and has a political mandate to do so. In a democracy such as ours, what national security means will keep changing over time.

Yet, at a fundamental level, it is reasonable to say that national security is about the way a country protects itself. This first-principles description unearths an important truth: national security is inseparable from the unique character and identity of the nation being secured.

So instead of asking ‘what is national security?’ a better question might be ‘what is Australian national security?’

The ANU National Security College is inviting Australians to help answer that question – and the responses could help shape the future of our nation’s security.

Professor Rory Medcalf AM, Head of the ANU National Security College, believes this moment calls for a broader, more inclusive approach.

“The country’s strategic challenges demand decisions informed by a distinctly Australian, people-centric vision of national security,” he says.

That is why the ANU National Security College is leading a national conversation about how Australians experience and understand security, through its Community Consultations initiative.

This initiative is not just about gathering opinions – it’s about listening to the lived experiences of Australians across the country.

“The country’s strategic challenges demand decisions informed by a distinctly Australian, people-centric vision of national security”.

Professor Rory Medcalf

From economic shocks and foreign interference to the impacts of climate change and disinformation, the risks we face are complex and interconnected. But how we respond must reflect the values and priorities of the people most affected.

Tim Wilford, Director of the Community Consultations initiative, emphasises the importance of hearing from a wide range of voices.

“We want to learn what security means to everyday Australians,” he says.

“In their eyes, what are the challenges? What interests and values do they want to protect? And what do they think a whole-of-nation approach to security should look like?”

Whether you’re in a city, a regional centre, or a remote community, everyone’s perspective matters.

Security is not just a government responsibility, it’s a shared endeavour. And it starts with understanding what Australians care about most.

Together we need to find the ways in which we can protect the things we value most, and build a resilient nation: an Australia that can withstand many different kinds of shocks.

The ANU National Security College is calling for written submissions from all Australians and Australian organisations.

Submissions are open until Sunday 30 November 2025. Anyone can contribute. You don’t need to be an expert, and you don’t need to write an essay.

Want to explore the ideas behind the Community Consultations first? You can find out more by reading the Issues Paper: Thinking About Our National Security.