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.
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.
Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth
In March 2022, AUSTRAC applied for civil penalty orders under the AML/CTF Act against Crown Melbourne Ltd and Burswood Nominees Ltd (Crown Perth).
On 30 May 2023, AUSTRAC and Crown filed joint submissions with the Federal Court of Australia, proposing a $450 million penalty. A hearing was scheduled for 10 and 11 July 2023 for Justice Lee to consider the proposed penalty and make a final decision.
On 11 July 2023 the Federal Court of Australia ordered Crown to pay the $450 million penalty for its breaches of the Act.
Information about these proceedings includes:
- Federal Court of Australia judgement
- Media release – 11 July 2023
- Media release – 30 May 2023
- Statement of agreed facts and admissions (PDF, 1.39 MB) – 30 May 2023
- Media release – 1 March 2022
- Concise statement (PDF, 497KB)
- Originating application (PDF, 486KB)
- Statement of claim (PDF, 8.2MB)
SkyCity Adelaide Pty Ltd
On 7 December 2022, AUSTRAC applied for civil penalty orders against SkyCity Adelaide Pty Ltd (Skycity) for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws.
Information about these proceedings includes:
- Media release - 07 December 2022
- Concise statement (PDF, 562KB)
- Originating application (PDF, 474KB)
- Statement of claim (PDF, 5.04MB)
The Star Pty Limited and The Star Entertainment QLD Limited (the Star Entities)
On 30 November 2022, AUSTRAC applied for civil penalty orders against The Star Pty Limited and The Star Entertainment QLD Limited (the Star Entities) for alleged serious and systemic non-compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws.
Information about these proceedings includes:
- Media release - 30 November 2022
- Concise statement (PDF, 482KB)
- Originating application (PDF, 272KB)
- Statement of claim (PDF, 11.5MB)
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:
- the Federal Court's judgment (Word, 30,792KB)
- the AUSTRAC CEO’s statement following the court’s decision
- media release – 20 June 2018
- media release – 4 June 2018
- media release – 14 December 2017
- media release – 3 August 2017
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:
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.
2023
- Bank of Queensland Ltd (PDF, 250KB)
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PayPal Australia Pty Ltd (PDF, 740KB)
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Enforceable undertaking - Cash Converters (PDF, 2.38MB)
2022
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Enforceable undertaking and remedial action plan - ING Bank (Australia) Pty Ltd (PDF, 7.06MB)
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Enforceable undertaking and remedial action plan - National Australia Bank Limited (PDF, 2.17MB)
2016
2014
- Custom House Currency Exchange (Australia) Pty Ltd (PDF, 599KB)
2012
- Your Express Service (YES) Pty Ltd (PDF, 366KB)
2011
- Mojgan Zojaji trading as Mega Trade Interchange (PDF, 266KB)
2010
- George Thomas Hotels Pty. Limited (PDF, 281KB)
- Argos Investments Pty Ltd (PDF, 259KB)
- George Thomas Hotels (Bradbury) Pty Limited (PDF, 291KB)
- George Thomas Hotels (Campsie) Pty Limited (PDF,289KB)
- George Thomas Hotels (Hurstville) Pty Limited (PDF, 291KB)
- George Thomas Hotels (Madison) Pty Ltd (PDF, 287KB)
- George Thomas Hotels (QLD) Pty Limited (PDF, 286KB)
2009
- Barclays Bank (PDF, 2.1MB)
- Eastern & Allied Pty Ltd trading as Hai Ha Money Transfer (PDF, 204KB)
- Mega International Commercial Bank Co,. Ltd (PDF, 1.4MB)
- PayPal Australia Pty Ltd (PDF, 197KB)
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
- Infringement notice issued to State Street Bank and Trust Company (Word, 52KB)
- Infringement notice issued to State Street Bank and Trust Company (PDF, 2.07MB)
2019
- Infringement notice issued to Compass Global Holdings Pty Ltd (Word, 45KB)
- Infringement notice issued to Compass Global Holdings Pty Ltd (PDF, 86KB)
2015
- Infringement notice issued to MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc (Word, 68KB)
- Infringement notice issued to MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc (PDF, 20KB)
2014
- Infringement notice issued to ClassicBet Pty Ltd (Word, 65KB)
- Infringement notice issued to ClassicBet Pty Ltd (PDF, 82KB)
- Infringement notice issued to MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc (Word, 99KB)
- Infringement notice issued to MoneyGram Payment Systems Inc (PDF, 460KB)
2013
2021
2015
- Remedial direction issued to ClassicBet Pty Ltd (Word, 49KB)
- Remedial direction issued to ClassicBet Pty Ltd (PDF, 69KB)
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.