Two Russian-born Australian citizens have been caught in an alleged espionage plot involving accessing secret Australian Defence Force documents to send to Russia.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested a 40-year-old woman and her 62-year-old husband at their Brisbane home on Thursday morning.
The woman worked as an information systems technician for Australia's army.
The AFP charged the married couple with one count each of preparing for espionage, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment.
It is the first time someone has been charged with the offence since the spying law was introduced in 2018.
Authorities will allege the woman travelled to Russia and instructed her husband on how to log into her work account and access the sensitive documents to send to her.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said it was not clear how the woman was able to get clearance to travel to the country.
"We allege the woman was undertaking non-declared travel to Russia, whilst she was on long-term leave from the Australian Defence Force," he said.
"We allege her husband would access requested material and send it to his wife in Russia. We allege they sought that information with the intention of providing it to Russian authorities."
Kershaw added, "Whether that information was handed over remains a key focus of our investigation."
The couple have lived in Australia for more than 10 years. The woman obtained Australian citizenship in 2016, and her husband became a citizen four years later.
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation director-general Mike Burgess said the arrests came after a "lengthy and complex investigation" by law enforcement agencies.
"Espionage is real. Multiple countries are seeking to steal Australia's secrets," he said.
The couple will appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
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