The Sydney-based network was discovered when police investigated encrypted child abuse images and videos with “ritual and Satanic” themes.
According to Police Commissioner Jayne Doherty, the material contains "heinous abuse" of children. The youngest were infants, the oldest were in their twelfth year.
Among these distressing images were also a number of videos depicting sexual abuse of animals, Doherty said on Monday.
Thousands of videos were reportedly found on devices seized during simultaneous raids last week.
The police will claim in court that this international group participated in conversations and shared materials depicting child abuse and torture of children with symbols and rituals linked to Satanism and the occult.
One of those arrested, a 26-year-old man, is said to have played a leading role in the network.
Police are working to identify the victims.
