Construction of the new ASIO headquarters is moving into the next stage with cranes arriving on site to help construct the massive building.
Deep pits have already been dug on the site in the Canberra suburb of Russell that houses other defence and espionage facilities.
Asbestos removal from the site started earlier this month, with a request for an update on the asbestos removal project having been referred to the Department of Finance.
The cost of the building, which will also house the secretive Office of National Assessments, has recently blown out.
The total budgeted expenditure for the building will now be $606.2 million, compared with the $460 million announced in the 2006-07 budget measure," the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook said.
"This funding will provide a high quality, secure building designed and fitted out for the specialised needs of these intelligence agencies."
Alongside the building fund, the operating budget of ASIO is continuing to grow at pace.
Between 2008-09 and 2011-12 the agency's budget will balloon by $41.2 million, a pattern that first developed under the Howard government in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US.

AAP