Australia raises terror threat level to 'high' for first time in its history

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has reportedly raised the public alert of a terror threat to 'high' for the first time in its history, a report said.

Speaking at a press conference today, Abbott said that the alert level was raised after taking into consideration a variety of factors like the number of Australians who have joined the ranks of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in the Middle East and those who have returned home and pose a significant threat to national security, reported News.com.au. The numbers of those in Australia who support the militant outfit and exaltations coming from the ISIS to join the cause or launch an attack on home soil have also been taken into account, he said.

The prime minister also said that the change in threat level also means that a terrorist attack is now considered "likely".

He assured the nation that the police and security agencies will remain one step ahead of the militant group and requested people to go about their normal lives.

He added that the "high" threat level would mean greater security at airports, large public events, government buildings and ports. However, he stressed that there is no specific threat imminent and said the move has nothing to do with religion.