Federal agencies say extremist recruits are seeking military training. 

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Mike Burgess has warned that racist, violent extremists are seeking to gain military training.

The issue is significant enough to prompt a new information sharing agreement between ASIO and the Australian Defence Force.

The agreement sees ASIO provide security assessments of flagged individuals to Defence. 

ASIO says ideologically-motivated groups are more widespread than religiously-motivated groups. They are also highly security-conscious, and have shown the ability to adapt their cyber security setups to avoid being caught.

Mr Burgess has also noted another emerging threat - ‘incels’. 

Australia domestic spy chief says there is growing concern among security agencies about fierce nationalists and neo-Nazis, anti-vax groups, and the involuntary celibate or ‘incel’ movements.

“The most likely attack in Australia will be that of a lone actor, someone who mobilises to violence with little or no warning,” he told a recent estimates hearing.

Racist and violent extremism remains a threat in the country, but Mr Burgess says it will soon be surpassed by something different entirely.

“Foreign spies are attempting to obtain classified information about Australia's trade relationships, defence and intelligence capabilities,” a recent report said.

“They are monitoring diaspora communities in Australia and, in some cases, threatening to physically harm members of these communities.”

“That's what I would suggest as corrosive to democratic society just as much as [a] lack of transparency,” Mr Burgess said.