Australia’s domestic security agency has raised on Tuesday the national terrorism threat level against law enforcement officers to high.

Australia's domestic security agency has raised on Tuesday the national terrorism threat level against law enforcement officers to high.

The threat level for police moved from medium to high for officers across the country in recognition of the danger they face as first responders.

Australia's national alert level was raised to high in September last year, classifying a terrorist attack as likely but not imminent.

"As a result of intelligence information and discussions with our partners, the terrorism threat level against police is assessed as high, which is commensurate with the broader threat level for the community," the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said in a statement.

"Recent events in France, Canada and Australia serve as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with policing," the statement said.

In December, two hostages and a gunman were killed after police stormed a downtown Sydney cafe to end a 16-hour standoff with the hostage-taker, a loner and convicted criminal who identified himself with radical Sunni Islamist groups.