New blast resistant doors, bullet proof panels and anti-intruder fences will be installed at some of Australia's at-risk foreign embassies, as part of moves to keep federal government employees safe overseas.
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has flagged installation of the security upgrades at some of the nation's more than 100 overseas diplomatic installations, embassies and high commissions through an approach to market, including for blast mitigation systems, vehicle barriers and bullet proof building materials.
Blast resistant enclosures for guard booths, security mesh, bullet proof and intruder resistant doors and windows are being sourced by the government, as well as technology to block forced entry, security counters, document pass through drawers and intercom systems.
Bomb blast net curtains will also be purchased, designed to stop injury or death from flying glass and debris during an explosion.
Foreign embassies have long been key targets for terror groups.
A car bombing at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta in September 2004 killed nine people and injured more than 150 others.
Earlier this month, 90 people were killed and hundreds wounded by a massive truck bomb blast in the diplomatic quarter Kabul, seeing the Australian Embassy placed in lockdown.
The department did not respond to request for comment about where the technology would be used. Federal government departments regularly opt not to discuss security arrangements.
In 2016-17 Australia had 106 diplomatic installations, 364 consular posts and more than 7000 foreign officials and their families posted overseas.
More than 880 Australian diplomats are posted overseas, working alongside 2500 locally engaged workers.
The moves come as the Australian National Audit Office reviews security measures and the protection of staff at Australia's diplomatic missions overseas.
Findings of the audit are expected to be presented to Parliament next month.
A similar 2005 audit of security and safety found few overseas posts had fulltime security managers and annual threat reviews of physical harm to embassies needed strengthening after the September 11 terror attacks. Much of the audit, and department security plans, are kept secret.
Security expert Roger Henning said Australia was behind other nations including Singapore and Israel on diplomatic security.
He placed diplomatic buildings in countries including India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt and the Gulf states at the highest risk.
"It's one of those situations where Australia is a slow adopter. Other countries have done all of this, we haven't, and it's absolutely essential that it's done quickly.
"Any embassy in an Islamic country or state definitely needs to upgrade its protection, particularly against explosives, bullet proof glass is essential. If you go to these countries, you see they protect their own critical infrastructure with everything that is available," he said.
"We've just been lucky so far that we haven't had anything really serious since the bombing of the embassy in Jakarta."
Founder and director of Homeland Security Asia Pacific, Mr Henning said terrorists and extremists were not deterred by traditional security infrastructure and Australia should better protect overseas workers.
"These people are determined to kill and do as much damage as they can. They won't stop because there's a uniformed cop with a gun outside the gate."
