Resources

The Australian Government provides comprehensive, authoritative, and free resources through multiple agencies dedicated to keeping Australians safe online. These official channels offer: 

· Credible threat intelligence from national security experts

· Legal enforcement and content removal powers

· 24/7 reporting mechanisms for cyber incidents

· Evidence-based guidance updated with current threats

· Multilingual support for diverse communities 

While Be Safe 4 U provides interactive education and personalised support, government resources are your official pathway for reporting crimes, accessing legal protections, and staying informed about national cyber threats. 

Who they are: Australia's national cyber security authority, operated by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), protecting government, critical infrastructure, businesses, and individuals from cyber threats. 

What they offer:

For Individuals & Families:

· Personal cyber security guides and checklists

· Device protection resources

· Scam and phishing awareness materials

· Translated information for non-English speaking communities

· Free resources library with PDFs on malware, ransomware, and online safety 

For Small Businesses:

· Essential Eight cybersecurity strategies

· Ransomware playbooks and response guides

· Business email compromise prevention

· Quick wins for immediate security improvements

· Cyber Wardens program (free training for small business staff) 

Reporting & Support:

· Australian Cyber Security Hotline: 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371) - 24/7 support

· ReportCyber: Official portal to report cybercrime, incidents, and vulnerabilities

· Annual Cyber Threat Reports with current intelligence

· Cyber Security Awareness Month (October) campaigns 

Website: cyber.gov.au

 Who they are: Australia's independent regulator for online safety, focused on protecting Australians—especially children—from online harms under the Online Safety Act 2021.

What they offer:

For Individuals & Families:

· Education on cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and deepfakes

· Parental resources and guides for child online safety

· Support for First Nations communities and culturally diverse Australians

· Age-appropriate safety content for children and young people 

For Domestic Violence Survivors:

· Technology-facilitated abuse resources and support

· Image-based abuse reporting and removal services

· Online safety checklists for DV survivors

· Connections to domestic violence support organizations 

Reporting & Enforcement Powers:

· Report and remove cyberbullying content

· Report image-based abuse and illegal content

· Report adult cyber abuse and harassment

· Formal complaints under the Online Safety Act 2021 

Community Education:

· Free training and workshops for schools and community groups

· Resources for frontline workers supporting vulnerable individuals

· Be Connected program (digital skills for over-50s) 

Website: esafety.gov.au

Who they are: The Australian Government's scam reporting and awareness service, tracking and alerting Australians to current scam threats. 

What they offer:

· Current scam alerts and warnings

· Scam statistics and trends

· How to recognize and avoid common scams

· Information on investment, romance, and phishing scams

· Recovery advice if you've been scammed 

Reporting:

· Online scam reporting portal to help authorities track scam activity

· Contribute to national scam intelligence

· Access to scam awareness resources

Website: scamwatch.gov.au

Who they are: Australia and New Zealand's national identity and cyber support service, providing free assistance to individuals and businesses affected by identity theft and cybercrime. 

What they offer:

· Free confidential support for identity theft victims

· Personalized response plans to recover from identity crime

· Guidance on securing compromised accounts and documents

· Support for cyber-enabled fraud and data breaches

· Business services for organizations experiencing data breaches 

Contact:

· Phone: 1800 595 160 (free call, Monday-Friday 8am-5pm AEST)

· Website: idcare.org 

Who they are: The Australian Government's public awareness initiative promoting cyber security across the nation. 

What they offer:

· Simple cyber security steps for everyday Australians

· Cyber Security Awareness Month resources (October)

· Practical tips on passwords, multi-factor authentication, and software updates

· Community engagement and educational materials

Website: actnowstaysecure.gov.au

Target audience: Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. 

What it offers:

· Free online training modules on cyber security basics

· Email security and quick wins for immediate protection

· Cyber Warden designation for trained staff

· Supported by Telstra and CommBank partnerships

· Aligned with Australia's 2023-2030 Cyber Security Strategy 

Website: cyberwardens.com.au

Who they are: Government body protecting Australia's critical infrastructure from cyber and physical threats. 

Target audience: Organisations operating critical infrastructure (energy, water, transport, health, etc.). 

Website: cisc.gov.au

From ACSC (cyber.gov.au):

· Personal Cyber Security: First Steps Guide

· Essential Eight Maturity Model (for organizations)

· Ransomware Prevention and Response

· Annual Cyber Threat Report

· Information Security Manual (ISM)

· Resources library with threat advisories and alerts 

From eSafety Commissioner:

· Online Safety Checklist for DV Survivors

· Parental Control Guides

· Cyberbullying Resources for Schools

· Image-Based Abuse Support Materials

· Tech-Facilitated Abuse Information Sheets 

From Scamwatch:

· Current Scam Alerts

· Scam Statistics and Trends

· Little Black Book of Scams (guide to common scams) 

Australia's Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2030 

The national roadmap for making Australia the most cyber secure country by 2030, focused on six cyber shields:

1. Strong businesses and citizens

2. Safe technology

3. World-class threat sharing and blocking

4. Protected critical infrastructure

5. Sovereign capabilities

6. Resilient region and global leadership 

Learn more: homeaffairs.gov.au/cyber-security 

Cyber Security Awareness Month (October)

Annual national campaign promoting cyber security awareness and action. 

2025 Theme: "Building our cyber safe culture"

Key actions promoted:

· Install software updates

· Use unique, strong passphrases

· Set up multi-factor authentication

Website: cyber.gov.au/CAM2025

Support for Specific Communities:

Seniors & Older Australians

· Cyber.gov.au Seniors Section: Tailored guides and educational packs

· Be Connected: Free digital skills training for over-50s

· Scamwatch: Specific alerts on scams targeting seniors 

Families & Parents

· eSafety Commissioner Parents Section: Comprehensive resources on keeping kids safe online

· ThinkUKnow: Education program on child online safety (by Australian Federal Police) 

First Nations Communities

· eSafety Commissioner: Culturally appropriate online safety resources

· Translated materials: Cyber security information in multiple languages 

People with Disability

· eSafety Commissioner: Accessible resources and specialised support

· Advocacy organizations: Partnerships for inclusive online safety education 

How Be Safe 4 U Complements Government Resources

Government agencies provide authoritative information and enforcement, while Be Safe 4 U offers: 

· Interactive learning: Gamified quizzes and scenario-based training

· Personalized support: One-on-one consultations and coaching

· Community engagement: Peer support forums and shared experiences

· Practical application: Step-by-step guidance with hands-on setup assistance

· Agile updates: Quick responses to emerging local threats 

We recommend: Use government resources for reporting and official guidance, and use Be Safe 4 U for education, practice, and personalised support. 

Cyber Security:

· Cyber.gov.au: cyber.gov.au

· Report Cyber: cyber.gov.au/report

· Cyber Security Hotline: 1300 292 371

Online Safety:

· eSafety Commissioner: esafety.gov.au

· Report Online Harm: esafety.gov.au/report

Scams & Consumer Protection:

· Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au

Identity Theft:

· IDCARE: idcare.org | 1800 595 160

Domestic Violence Support:

· 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

· eSafety DV Resources: esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence

Small Business:

· Cyber Wardens: cyberwardens.com.au

General Awareness:

· Act Now. Stay Secure.: actnowstaysecure.gov.au