Criminals are exploiting Australia’s real estate market and complex company structures to hide and move illicit money - it’s something financial crimes regulator AUSTRAC says it sees regularly.
From today, tens of thousands more businesses are now covered by Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws, including real estate agents, lawyers, conveyancers, accountants, and dealers in precious metals and stones.
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.”
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.
In September 2024, AUSTRAC issued infringement notices to both businesses for alleged breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).
AUSTRAC has ordered Bankstown District Sports Club Ltd to appoint an external auditor amid concerns its anti-money‑laundering (AML) controls may not be strong enough to stop organised crime exploiting poker machines and gambling venues.
AUSTRAC Acting CEO Katie Miller said clubs and pubs sit on the frontline of Australia’s fight against money laundering, particularly where large volumes of cash and poker machines are involved.
Australia’s money laundering, terrorism and proliferation financing risks are becoming more complex and interconnected, driven by technology, globalisation and the growing overlap between legitimate and illicit activity, AUSTRAC says.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said three new national updates released today provide an up‑to‑date snapshot of how serious financial crime threats are evolving across the country.
AUSTRAC has launched two targeted supervisory campaigns into Australia’s virtual assets sector, as landmark Australian anti-money laundering reforms reshape how virtual asset businesses are regulated.
AUSTRAC’s campaigns focus on virtual asset service providers (VASPs), previously known as digital currency exchanges (DCEs), offering over-the-counter crypto to cash (or vice versa) services, and local exchanges operating in Australia.
Banks have taken decisive action to disrupt the financial flows underpinning Australia’s illicit tobacco trade, strengthening oversight to more effectively cut off criminal cash flows.
Australia’s illicit tobacco market presents a serious organised financial crime problem, generating significant criminal profits and driving violence, tax evasion and community harm.
Australia’s anti‑money laundering and counter‑terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws have expanded, strengthening safeguards to make it significantly harder for criminals to launder money through crypto and other virtual assets.
The reforms introduce greater oversight of businesses operating in the virtual asset sector, which AUSTRAC continues to identify as a high money‑laundering risk.
AUSTRAC has directed payment platform, MHITS Limited, to appoint an external auditor to assess whether it is meeting its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) obligations.
The appointment follows further supervisory work in relation to last year’s payment platforms campaign, where AUSTRAC directed WorldRemit and Airwallex to appoint an auditor and issued letters of concern to four other payment platforms, asking them to address serious deficiencies identified during the campaign.
AUSTRAC is implementing the next phase of the Australian Government’s landmark anti‑money laundering reforms, opening enrolment for new professions.
From today, 31 March, businesses - including lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, real estate professionals, and dealers in precious stones and metals - can enrol at AUSTRAC online.
This reform milestone brings AUSTRAC another step closer to 1 July when the new sectors come under its AML/CTF regime.