Organised criminals infiltrating airports and docks to smuggle drugs and other contraband have been put on notice.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has been given new powers to strengthen background checks for aviation and maritime security identification card holders.
"This will reduce the ability of individuals with links to serious and organised crime to gain access to our airports, seaports, and other Commonwealth sites," the agency said in its annual report.
These changes, made possible by amendments to the Australian Crime Commission Act, remove existing vulnerabilities in the background checking system and limit the ability for figures with organised crime links to be granted ID cards.
Previously, the ID card scheme focused on criminal convictions rather than criminal intelligence when considering eligibility for identification cards.
An ICAC spokesperson told AAP this created a potential for individuals to be granted a security pass despite intelligence indicating links to serious and organised crime.
The ACIC expects to reach full capability to conduct assessments by June 2023.
The Australian Federal Police revealed concerns about "insider threats" at airports in its annual report last year.
COVID-19 related closures led to mass stand-downs and redundancies of airline staff and support personnel such as cleaning, catering, security and retail workers.
The AFP noted the scale of the stand-downs and uncertain future of those now unemployed "created a potential security risk: the 'trusted insider threat' posed by the non-return of various aviation security identification cards".
In response, the AFP and Home Affairs have increased compliance checks of ID cards held by personnel across Australia's major airports, making it harder for would-be offenders to use the cards for criminal purposes.
