A 14-year-old boy posed an imminent threat of carrying out attacks on the public in a regional city potentially within days of him being identified by counter-terror officers, police say.
The boy was accused of acts preparing to cause death or grievous bodily harm.
The teenager has also been charged with possession of a knife in public and violent extremist material in Maryborough, north of Brisbane.
He faced court in Brisbane on Tuesday after Counter-Terrorism Investigation Group detectives searched a Maryborough address on August 27.
Queensland police were alerted by two members of the public to the potential threat of violence on August 25 to be carried out within days, Detective Inspector Chris Knight told reporters.
"We will allege that it was (imminent) acts of violence carried out on random individuals within the community,” Det Insp Knight said.
The boy was not required to appear in Brisbane Childrens Court when his charges were mentioned on Tuesday.
His duty solicitor made no application for bail.
Magistrate Megan Power adjourned the matter for a mention to September 29 in Maryborough Childrens Court.
Electronic devices and other items were seized during the search, police said.
The teenager has been charged with acts in preparation to cause death or grievous bodily harm along with possession of a knife in a public place and possession of violent extremist material.
Det Insp Knight said there was no evidence to suggest the boy under arrest was linked to a 13-year-old arrested in Maryborough in June after alleged threats with a knife and planning to attack a school.
Police would not confirm the 14-year-old's three specific public areas for alleged planned violence against random people.
The teen was charged with possessing a knife in public based on a photograph allegedly on a mobile phone.
The accused boy had not been in contact with other people including those overseas in relation to his alleged offences, Det Insp Knight said.
Police did not specify how many people the 14-year-old allegedly intended to attack and whether he intended to target a school or children.
"This didn't target a particular faith group or religious group or ethnicity group, Det Insp Knight said.
Multiple electronic devices with a large amount of data and other items were seized during the search including clothing consistent with preparing for an attack, police said.
Police were not alleging that any particular ideology was behind the teen's alleged offences.
"We're not alleging that that has a terrorism element to it, and in fact, we believe that he has acted independently," Det Insp Knight said.
Det Insp Knight said the case was brought about by members of the public working with police and encouraged other people to report concerns about public safety.
"It's a great example whereby early intervention prevented anybody from being harmed," Det Insp Knight said.
