Australia's national security watchdog has called for a significant overhaul of Dutton-era powers that allow federal police to spy on criminal suspects online and take over their accounts, after warning that the current system for issuing warrants was "inadequate" and "not fit for purpose."

Independent Security Legislation Monitor Jake Blight also recommended that the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) be stripped of its powers to covertly modify or delete harmful online content.

In a major review of digital surveillance laws tabled in Parliament on Monday, Mr Blight called for federal police to retain "extraordinary and invasive" powers to access and monitor a person's mobile device or laptop as a "last resort", but argued that judges should issue the warrants.

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