CANBERRA – Australia’s top intelligence agency reduced the threat level for a domestic terrorist attack to “possible” from “probable”, as it sharpens its focus on interference by foreign governments.

This is the first change in the level since 2014 – which then came amid concerns about the Islamic State militant group.

The latest move was announced on Monday by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Director-General Mike Burgess. He told reporters the threat from “religiously motivated violent extremists” had been reduced and Australia’s intelligence capabilities had improved.

Mr Burgess said there is still a threat from “ideologically motivated violent extremism, particularly nationalist and racist violent extremism”, adding “while we remain concerned about these groups, we must distinguish between ugly actions, big talk and actual terrorism”.

Mr Burgess’s comments come nine months after the intelligence chief said espionage and interference by foreign government is now Australia’s “principal security concern”, rather than terrorism.

Australia introduced legislation to crack down on foreign interference in its politics in December 2017, including banning foreign political donations, in a series of moves the Chinese government saw as targeted at Beijing.

The legislation sparked diplomatic tensions between Australia and China.

They eventually resulted in tariffs imposed by Beijing on a range of Australian exports including wine, barley and coal. BLOOMBERG