A Melbourne woman accused of joining ISIS more than a decade ago is facing serious terrorism charges following a lengthy counter-terrorism investigation.

The 34-year-old was arrested during coordinated police raids in Melbourne after investigators alleged she travelled to Syria between 2013 and 2014 and became a member of the terrorist organisation.

A Melbourne woman has been charged with terrorism offences after police alleged she joined ISIS before returning to Australia in 2025.

The arrest followed months of investigation by counter-terrorism authorities who continued examining her activities after her return to Australia from the Middle East last year.

Police allege the woman travelled to Syria during the height of ISIS recruitment and remained in territory controlled by the group for several years.

Investigators claim she was later detained by Kurdish forces following the collapse of the Islamic State’s territorial control in the region.

She eventually returned to Australia in September 2025.

Authorities allege the return did not end the investigation.

Instead, detectives continued gathering evidence, reviewing material obtained from overseas and examining information collected by security agencies.

That work culminated in a series of search warrants executed at Melbourne properties this week.

Officers seized a range of items during the operation, including electronic devices, documents and photographs which are expected to undergo further examination.

The woman was subsequently arrested and taken before a Melbourne court.

She has been charged with entering or remaining in a declared conflict zone and being a member of a terrorist organisation.

Both allegations are among the most serious offences contained within Australia’s counter-terrorism legislation.

The accused was remanded in custody following her court appearance.

Prosecutors argued the allegations involved conduct linked to a terrorist organisation that once controlled large areas of Syria and Iraq.

The court ordered that she remain behind bars while legal proceedings continue.

The case forms part of a broader effort by Australian authorities to investigate citizens who travelled to conflict zones during the rise of ISIS.

Several recent prosecutions have focused on Australians who spent time in Syria before eventually returning home.

Counter-terrorism investigators have repeatedly stated that returning to Australia does not prevent criminal investigations from continuing.

In this case, authorities allege critical evidence emerged during ongoing inquiries into individuals who had previously lived in displaced persons camps in Syria.

The arrest is expected to remain a high-profile terrorism prosecution because of the length of time between the alleged conduct and the laying of charges.

It also highlights the continued focus of security agencies on Australians who travelled to the Middle East during the height of ISIS activity.

The allegations have not been tested in court.

The accused remains entitled to the presumption of innocence as the matter proceeds through the judicial system.

However, after years of investigation and months after her return to Australia, the arrest marks one of the most significant terrorism cases to emerge in Victoria this year.

Further court appearances are expected as prosecutors continue preparing their case and investigators examine evidence seized during the operation.