The terrorism threat level for potential attacks on police has been changed to "high" following the emergence of fresh intelligence, police have said.
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A statement by the Australian Federal Police on Tuesday said that the threat level for police is being brought into line with the rest of the community following the raising of the alert by the government to "high" in September 2014.
"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 statement said.
Despite recent arrests and an active effort by state and federal police to disrupt known terrorism networks, the dangers that led to the raising of the general threat level in September remain, the statement said.
"The security environment remains increasingly complex and challenging. Recent events in France, Canada and Australia serve as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with policing."
Two police officers were killed by the gunmen who attacked the office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Two Melbourne police officers were also attacked and wounded by a young man Numan Haider late last year.
"While relatively small, there are increasing numbers of Australians who are connected with or inspired by overseas terrorist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), with the intent and capability to conduct an attack against police," the AFP police statement warned.
It added that police across the country had "thoroughly reviewed their security and risk management strategies and made necessary adjustments to their protective security policies and practices".
The policies remain under review, the AFP said.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn said she issued a warning to every police officer in the state on Tuesday asking them to be more vigilant both on and off duty.
Officers have been told to keep social media profiles discreet, while security has been ramped up at local police stations and officers have been told they must log in to mobile tracking devices in police cars whenever they leave the station.
Western Australia's acting top cop says he will no longer hang his blue shirt in the back of the car when driving to and from work, due to the raised terror alert.
A statement issued by Victoria Police said the state's acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright had written to all police officers, protective services officers and police public servants urging them to "be vigilant and pay extra attention to their own safety and security and that of their colleagues and their premises".
Mr Cartwright had given instructions and advice to make sure that police security was as good as it could be and that there was a smooth flow of information to counter-terrorism operations and investigations, the statement said.
It urged people not to be "unduly concerned" and to "go about their lives as normal".
Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said there were no specific threats to Queensland police or the wider community in that state.
"I believe that we have taken appropriate action, as has every other jurisdiction in Australia today, to ensure that we remind our officers of the need to ensure their safety because our officers need to be safe in the way that they go about their job so they can [can keep] the community safe and secure," he said.
With Rachel Olding, Brendan Foster
