Lists of enforcement actions taken

AUSTRAC can take enforcement action against reporting entities who don’t comply with AML/CTF legislation. These enforcement actions are:

civil penalty orders
enforceable undertakings
infringement notices
remedial directions.

AUSTRAC publishes information about its enforcement actions. We do this so we remain transparent and accountable and to provide information about our enforcement actions to all reporting entities.

You can find out more about the consequences of not complying.

Civil penalty orders

AUSTRAC can apply for a civil penalty order from the Federal Court of Australia. The Court may then order a reporting entity to pay money to the Commonwealth. We have applied for three civil penalty orders.

Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac)

In November 2019 AUSTRAC applied for a civil penalty order under the AML/CTF Act against the Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac) for serious alleged breaches of the AML/CTF Act.

On 24 September 2020 AUSTRAC and Westpac jointly filed in the Federal Court an agreed statement of facts including agreeing on a proposed civil penalty of $1.3 billion. A hearing will be scheduled in the Federal Court in the coming months to consider the admissions and proposed penalty.

Information about this penalty includes:

the Federal court's judgement (PDF, 269KB)
Media release - 24 September 2020
AUSTRAC CEO's statement on Westpac settlement
Statement of agreed facts and admissions (PDF, 916KB)
Amended statement of claim (PDF, 3.66 MB)
Media release - 20 November 2019
Concise statement (PDF, 1.51MB)
Statement of claim (PDF, 5.33MB)
Originating application (PDF, 905KB)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

In August 2017 AUSTRAC applied for a civil penalty order under the AML/CTF Act against the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA). On 20 June 2018 the Federal Court ordered CBA to pay a penalty of A$700 million.

Information about this penalty includes:

Tabcorp

In July 2015 AUSTRAC applied for a civil penalty order under the AML/CTF Act against Tab Ltd, Tabcorp Holdings Ltd and Tabcorp Wagering (Vic) Pty Ltd (‘Tabcorp’). On 16 March 2017 the Federal Court ordered Tabcorp to pay a penalty of A$45 million.

Information about this penalty includes:

Enforceable undertakings

You may offer an undertaking to the AUSTRAC CEO setting out how you will comply with AML/CTF laws. The CEO may choose to accept such undertakings.

We can publish these undertakings.

Infringement notices

AUSTRAC can issue a reporting entity with an infringement notice if AUSTRAC has reasonable grounds to believe it has breached certain AML/CTF laws.

2020

2019

2015

2014

2013

Infringement notice issued to Ria Financial Services Australia Pty Ltd (PDF, 48KB)

Remedial directions

2021

Remedial direction issued to Australian Military Bank Ltd (PDF, 216KB)

2015

2011

Remedial direction issued to Acacia Ridge Hotel (PDF, 49KB)
Remedial direction issued to Allsafe International Pty Ltd (PDF, 68KB)

2009

Remedial direction issued to Little Persia (PDF, 37KB)

The content on this website is general and is not legal advice. Before you make a decision or take a particular action based on the content on this website, you should check its accuracy, completeness, currency and relevance for your purposes. You may wish to seek independent professional advice.

Last updated: 19 May 2021

Page ID: 170

Lists of enforcement actions taken

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