News and media releases

Reflecting on the first half of 2026, AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas shares key achievements, upcoming priorities and how we’re working together to strengthen Australia’s response to financial crime.

AUSTRAC intelligence has assisted the Western Australia Joint Organised Crime Task Force (WA JOCTF) to locate an alleged fugitive and charge three people over a plot to smuggle a wanted Queensland man out of Western Australia.

The Australian Government has committed more than $5 million over the next two years to strengthen Australia’s financial crime-fighting partnerships with Pacific nations. 

The Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke said, “The key to fighting organised crime is to follow the money and that’s exactly what this will do.”

AUSTRAC has found the risk of money laundering and terrorism financing in the non-profit sector remains stable, with criminals continuing to exploit charities to move illicit funds in Australia and overseas.

Reporting to AUSTRAC is a key obligation for businesses regulated under Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. The information that we collect from these businesses plays a crucial role in protecting Australia from financial crime.

The Federal Court of Australia has imposed civil penalties of $50,000 and $45,000 respectively against Castra Licensee Pty Ltd (Castra) and Princeton Securities (NSW) Pty Ltd (Princeton) after they failed to pay infringement notices issued by AUSTRAC. 

Australia and Indonesia have joined forces in Jakarta to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE), a crime that increasingly spans borders, platforms and financial systems.

A woman accused of serious financial crime has been extradited from Australia to Vietnam supported by AUSTRAC’s financial intelligence capabilities through the Fintel Alliance public-private partnership.

This update sets out our expectations for current and new regulated businesses in meeting their AML/CTF obligations.