Media releases

AUSTRAC has issued eight infringement notices for reporting failures as required by the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act).

AUSTRAC’s infringement notices were issued to businesses and sole traders across a wide range of industry sectors including pubs and clubs, non-bank lenders, bookmakers financial services providers and trustees. The businesses received initial infringement notices ranging from $3,300 for sole traders to $16,500 for companies for each contravention. 

AUSTRAC has commenced an enforcement investigation into Hillside (Australia New Media) Pty Limited (bet365).

AUSTRAC has announced its regulatory priorities for the year ahead, detailing how we plan to bolster the financial system’s resilience to money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crime.

AUSTRAC has accepted an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) from Gold Corporation (trading as Perth Mint) to uplift its compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws.

In August 2022, following an assessment of Gold Corporation which identified non-compliance with the AML/CTF laws, AUSTRAC directed Gold Corporation to appoint an external auditor to assess its compliance with its anti-money laundering obligations.

Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) across the Pacific met in the Cook Islands this week to strengthen partnerships within the region to combat serious financial crime.

The second in-person plenary of the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) was held in Rarotonga and co-hosted by AUSTRAC and the Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (CIFIU).

Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth (Crown) have been ordered by the Federal Court of Australia, to pay a $450 million penalty over two years after AUSTRAC launched civil penalty proceedings against them for breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act). The Court also ordered Crown to pay AUSTRAC’s costs.

The order comes after Crown and AUSTRAC filed joint submissions with the Federal Court of Australia in May 2023 for the payment of $450 million in instalments over 2 years.

On 16 February 2022, AUSTRAC ordered the appointment of an external auditor to three entities; Bell Potter Securities Limited, Bell Potter Capital Limited and Third Party Platform Pty Ltd, within the Bell Financial Group (Bell), to examine Bell’s compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 

AUSTRAC has accepted an Enforceable Undertaking from the Bank of Queensland Limited (BoQ) to improve its compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. The action follows a compliance inspection by AUSTRAC which identified concerns relating to the adequacy of BoQ’s AML/CTF systems and controls.

Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth (together Crown) and AUSTRAC have filed joint submissions with the Federal Court of Australia, proposing a $450 million penalty over Crown’s breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act). A court hearing has been set down for 10-11 July 2023, at which Justice Lee will consider the parties’ proposed settlement.

While AUSTRAC and Crown agree that a $450 million penalty is appropriate in all the circumstances, it is a matter for the court to determine the appropriate penalty.

AUSTRAC has accepted an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) from PayPal Australia Pty Ltd (PayPal) to ensure its compliance with Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. The EU comes after AUSTRAC identified concerns with PayPal’s systems, controls and governance in relation to its international funds transfer instructions (IFTI) reporting.