Melbourne: Australia’s top intelligence official has warned that Chinese state-backed hackers are trying to gain access to the country’s critical infrastructure, including telecommunications networks.

Mike Burgess, the director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), said hackers linked to the Chinese government and military have been probing systems that control vital services. He described these attempts as serious and warned that the threat of cyber sabotage is no longer a distant possibility.

Speaking at a business forum in Melbourne, Burgess said espionage had cost Australia around 12.5 billion Australian dollars in the past year, including about 2 billion dollars in stolen trade secrets and intellectual property. He urged companies to strengthen their cyber defences, noting that hackers are not just after information but may also be preparing for potential disruption of essential services such as power, water, and transport.

The ASIO chief mentioned that groups known as Salt Typhoon and Volt Typhoon have been involved in similar activities overseas, including in the United States. Volt Typhoon, in particular, is believed to be focused on laying the groundwork for future sabotage operations.

Burgess said that once hackers have access to critical networks, it becomes a matter of intent rather than capability. He warned that a large-scale disruption could cost the Australian economy billions of dollars within a week.

Although he did not explicitly name China in every part of his speech, Burgess referred to “one nation state” that is widely understood to be China. His comments come as tensions between Canberra and Beijing continue over security concerns, even as both countries maintain strong trade ties.

Australia is part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, which includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. These countries have all expressed growing concern about Chinese cyber operations targeting government systems and key industries.

Burgess said the country has entered a period of “strategic surprise and security fragility” and called on businesses to take immediate steps to protect their systems. He reminded them that cyber attacks on national infrastructure could have serious consequences for everyday Australians.

The Chinese government has previously denied accusations of state-sponsored hacking. However, intelligence experts believe that the recent wave of cyber activity shows an increased focus on accessing infrastructure that could be used for disruption in times of political or military tension.

Australian authorities are expected to review cybersecurity laws and tighten rules for companies involved in providing critical services to the public. Officials say that defending against such threats is now a national priority.