Three men have been arrested in raids across Sydney over an extensive terror plot, police said.
The suspects were allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group to attack a variety of targets including police and defence buildings, courts, churches and diplomatic missions, according to officials.
A 20-year-old suspect is expected to be charged with preparing for a terrorist act and preparing to enter Afghanistan for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities on behalf of the Islamic State group.
He was due to take part in a separate plot in Afghanistan, Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney said.
Mr McCartney explained: "There were a number of plans both internationally in terms of him travelling overseas, but also a domestic plan which was evolving at the same time.”
He added that the young man had been monitored by police for a year since he returned to Sydney from Lebanon.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
A 23-year-old man is expected to be charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation, the Islamic State group. He could be imprisoned for 10 years.
A 30-year-old man – an alleged associate of the other two – is expected to be charged with obtaining financial benefit by deception through fraudulently claiming unemployment benefits.
He too faces 10 years in prison.
The men are expected to appear in a Sydney court by Wednesday.
Mr McCartney said the terror plans had been in their early stages, and the men had yet to obtain guns or explosives.
The plot was the sixteenth major terrorist attack to be thwarted by police in Australia since the threat level was raised in September 2014, according to Mr McCartney.
