Exchange Instruments
Cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) both increases the effectiveness of individual FIUs and contributes to the success of the global fight against money laundering, major crime and terrorism.
The ability to cooperate across national borders has become increasingly important and the international community has called for all FIUs to strengthen their capabilities in this field. In 2001 the United Nations Security Council passed Resolution 1373, calling upon states to "find ways of intensifying and accelerating the exchange of operational information, especially regarding actions or movements of terrorist persons or networks".
AUSTRAC's exchange of information with international counterparts forms part of Australia's commitment to this resolution.
AUSTRAC formalises international exchange understandings through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Exchanges of Letters (EOLs), collectively referred to as exchange instruments.
Visit and Attachment Programs
As part of International Relationship building and information exchange AUSTRAC coordinates Visit and Attachment Programs. Visit Programs are available to both exchange instrument and non-exchange instruments jurisdictions depending on the content and depth of knowledge sought from AUSTRAC.
Where an exchange instrument exists between AUSTRAC and the visiting party, an Attachment Program can be offered if justified and subject to security considerations. Attachment Programs may vary from one week to 6 months according to the information exchange needs of the counterpart FIU.