The National Security Council is the highest decision-making body on security matters in Vanuatu. The council is established by the National Security Act (2019) which gives it power to do all things necessary to address issues of threats to the country’s national security. The NSC is chaired by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu with members at the Government’s Ministerial level.

The Act also establishes a Senior Security Officials Committee Meeting (SSOCM), a body of Director Generals who provide policy advise on matters raised within the NSC and who also lead in the implementation of NSC resolutions. All submissions are vetted through the SSOCM process before decisions are taken by Council.

The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is established under the National Security Act to provide operational and policy support to the NSC and SSOCM and who also lead in national intelligence efforts to promote national security objectives and is headed by the National Security Advisor (NSA). The work of the NSCS is guided by the overarching policy guidance of the National Security Strategy.