As we reach the middle of 2026, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and acknowledge the significant milestone before us. 

Tomorrow marks the commencement of Australia’s expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime. It is the most significant reform of Australia’s AML/CTF laws in a generation and an important step towards better protecting our communities from harm caused by serious and organised crime. 

This milestone has only been possible because of the commitment shown by reporting entities across Australia. Whether you have been regulated for many years or are preparing to join the regime for the first time, many of you have invested considerable time and effort in understanding the reforms, participating in consultations and preparing your business for change. Thank you for the role you have played in helping shape this next phase of Australia’s AML/CTF framework. 

What we have achieved together

The first half of 2026 has been about more than preparing for reform. Together we’ve continued strengthening Australia’s ability to detect, deter and disrupt financial crime through close collaboration between industry, AUSTRAC and our law enforcement partners. 

Over the past 6 months we’ve:

  • Prepared for the expanded AML/CTF regime, working closely with industry to develop guidance, education and practical resources to support implementation. Throughout this edition you’ll find information to help you understand the reforms, what your need to do and access the support available to you. 
  • Strengthened Australia’s understanding of financial crimes risks, releasing intelligence products and risk assessments, including the money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing 2026 updates and the not-for profit risk assessment, to help reporting entities better understand emerging threats and strengthen their risk-based approach.
  • Clarified our regulatory expectations, updating our Statement of Regulatory Expectations to reinforce our intelligence-led and risk-based approach, helping businesses focus on managing the risks that matter most while implementing reforms.
  • Strengthened our supervisory and enforcement activities, completing targeted supervisory campaigns across higher-risk sectors, increasing supervision of the virtual assets sector ahead of reforms and supervisory and enforcement action where significant compliance concerns have been identified. These activities reinforce the importance of strong AML/CTF systems in protecting Australia’s financial system. 
  • Continued strengthening intelligence partnerships through the Fintel Alliance across government, law enforcement and industry to improve how financial intelligence is shared and used to detect, disrupt and deter serious crime, reinforcing the vital role reporting entities play in protecting Australia from financial crime. 

Together, these efforts strengthen the integrity of Australia’s financial system and help protect our communities from financial crime. 

Looking ahead

While 1 July is a significant milestone, it is not the end of the reform journey. It marks the beginning of the next phase.

Over the coming months, our focus will be on supporting reporting entities as they build capability and confidence under the expanded regime. We’ll continue providing practical guidance, education and opportunities to engage with you, while sharing intelligence and emerging risk insights to help businesses to strengthen their controls and respond to an increasingly complex financial environment. 

Later this year, Australia will commence its Financial Action Task Force (FATF) mutual evaluation. This is an important assessment of the effectiveness of our national AML/CTF regime. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of Australia’s collaborative approach, recognising that government, regulators, law enforcement and reporting entities all play an essential role in protecting our financial system from criminal exploitation. 

Throughout the latest edition of our newsletter, AUSTRAC InBrief, you’ll find practical information to help you navigate this next stage, including enrolling with AUSTRAC and understanding your obligations, to accessing new education resources, preparing for changes to AUSTRAC Online and learning more about emerging financial threats. I encourage you to explore these articles and make use of the resources available. 

Working together to protect our community

Financial crime continues to evolve, and so must our collective response. Every suspicious matter report submitted, every risk assessment completed and every conversation we have with industry strengthens our collective ability to detect and disrupt criminal activity. 

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and partnership. By working together, we are making Australia’s financial system more resilient and helping protect our communities from the harm caused by financial crime. 

I look forward to continuing that partnership with you throughout the second half of 2026.