We’re Australia’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). We collect information from the entities we regulate to help identify and disrupt crime.
As Australia’s FIU, we use information collected from the entities we regulate, specialised analytical tools and tradecraft, and other data sources, to understand the existing and potential future vulnerabilities that impact the financial system.
The information from our entities is used by our financial intelligence analysts to identify financial transactions linked to crimes. We use this to detect, monitor and provide insights on new and emerging risks and threats relating to:
- money laundering
- terrorism financing
- proliferation financing
- transnational and serious organised crime
- child exploitation
- government program fraud.
Collecting and using financial intelligence
Our reporting entities provide reports about financial transactions and suspicious activities. The types of reports include:
- suspicious matter reports (SMR): if the entity suspects a person isn’t who they claim to be, or they have information relevant to criminal activity
- threshold transaction reports (TTR): for any transaction involving physical currency (cash) of $10,000 or more
- international funds transfer reports: for instructions to transfer funds into or out of Australia
- cross-border movement reports: for the movement of cash and other monetary instruments of $10,000 or more into or out of Australia.
We are also able to collect additional information via collection notices, from partners and from third party providers.
Financial intelligence analysts use the information collected to identify potential criminal activity or risks to national security. Our analysis includes:
- production of financial profiles and alerts
- production of tactical, operational and strategic intelligence products
- network analysis
- cryptocurrency tracing
- risk assessments.
Financial intelligence sharing
The financial information we collect is made available to our partners to support law enforcement and national security operations. Certain partners receive direct access to raw financial data, while others also benefit from our high-end financial intelligence skills where we make assessments and turn this data into actionable intelligence products.
Through the sharing of this information and the provision of intelligence products, we play a critical role in helping law enforcement and security agencies to detect and disrupt criminal activity in Australia and around the world.
Government partners
We share intelligence products with our government partners at both state and federal levels. Many also have direct access to our financial information holdings and can search our data to support their work.
We also share data and work with government agencies that don’t have access to our data holdings but may need help with their investigations.
Industry partners
We produce products, frequently in collaboration with industry partners, that provide information to help them strengthen their systems to combat financial crime. Examples include the National Risk Assessments – covering areas such as terrorism financing, money laundering and proliferation financing, as well as financial crime guides. We also work with industry in the Fintel Alliance to generate financial intelligence.
Law enforcement task forces
We’re a member of multiple national and state law enforcement task forces. Our specialist financial intelligence helps combat serious criminal activity.
Data matching with our domestic partner agencies
Matching our data with the data from our selected partner agencies can help identify criminal activity. This is evident through Fintel Alliance, where we collaborate with government and industry members to provide near real-time and enriched data.
International partners
To combat money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing worldwide we share financial intelligence with other FIUs and AML/CTF regulators around the world. We negotiate exchange instruments with foreign jurisdictions and organisations. These agreements detail how we’ll exchange information with each other.
We’re also part of the Egmont Group of FIUs, a global organisation that facilitates secure, international cooperation and intelligence sharing among 182 member FIUs.
You can read:
- a list of exchange instruments
- more about our international engagement including our role in co-chairing the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community and Financial Intelligence Consultative Group.
Our role in the National Intelligence Community
We work alongside 9 other intelligence agencies as part of the National Intelligence Community. These include:
- Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
- Australian Federal Police
- Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation
- Australian Secret Intelligence Service
- Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
- Australian Signals Directorate
- Defence Intelligence Organisation
- Department of Home Affairs
- Office of National Intelligence
This guidance sets out how we interpret certain Australian legislation, along with associated Rules and regulations. Australian courts are ultimately responsible for interpreting these laws and determining if any provisions of these laws are contravened.
The examples and scenarios in this guidance are meant to help explain our interpretation of these laws. They’re not exhaustive or meant to cover every possible scenario.
This guidance provides general information and isn't a substitute for legal advice. This guidance avoids legal language wherever possible and it might include generalisations about the application of the law. Some provisions of the law referred to have exceptions or important qualifications. In most cases your particular circumstances must be taken into account when determining how the law applies to you.