International engagement
While ever-evolving technology allows people to do business and move money around the world more quickly and easily, it also creates opportunities for criminals who are constantly looking for ways to take advantage of the global financial system.
In response to this ever-present threat, AUSTRAC contributes to international efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other serious financial crimes.
AUSTRAC contributes to the international AML/CTF response by:
- Playing an active role in regional and global AML/CTF forums such as the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units.
- Supporting international partners - including financial intelligence units (FIUs) and AML/CTF regulators - through programs that provide technical assistance, training, and systems-uplift to increase the program recipient’s compliance with international standards by developing stronger AML/CTF capabilities.
- Exchanging information and intelligence with FIUs and regulators around the world, notably through written agreements (exchange instruments) with foreign jurisdictions and organisations - see list of exchange instruments.
- Co-chairing the ASEAN Financial Intelligence Consultative Group (FICG), and the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) comprising FIUs from ASEAN, and the Pacific.
By contributing to international forums and engaging with intelligence, investigative, and regulatory counterparts around the world, AUSTRAC strengthens domestic, regional, and global resistance to AML/CTF threats.
International Programs – Indo-Pacific
AUSTRAC delivers tailored programs across the Indo-Pacific region. These programs focus on building and sharing financial intelligence and analytic expertise to increase practical cooperation, strengthen regional resilience, and provide AUSTRAC with actionable intelligence to fight financial crime.
AUSTRAC delivers programs across the following key locations:
The Pacific
- The AUSTRAC Pacific Islands Partnership Program (APIPP) provides AML/CTF capacity building activities for counterparts across the Pacific region.
- Through Project Taipan, AUSTRAC works with Pacific FIUs to develop and install new IT systems that uplift their capability.
Watch the video to learn more about the Taipan system.
The Mekong
- The Mekong-Australia Partnership on Transnational Crime (MAP-TNC), coordinated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), aims to counter transnational crime and enhance border security in the Mekong subregion through targeted capacity building programs.
The Philippines
- The Strengthening Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Responses in the Philippines Program (SARPP) is a partnership between AUSTRAC and the Philippines FIU, the Anti-Money Laundering Council of the Philippines (AMLC). SARPP activities support the Philippines to strengthen their response to terrorism and enhance their AML/CTF framework to meet international standards.
Regional Leadership
The Egmont Group
Formed in 1995, the Egmont Group is a network of 182 financial intelligence units (FIUs). It provides a forum to exchange expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
- AUSTRAC’s commitment to the Egmont Group is both foundational and forward-looking. As a founding member, Australia’s FIU, AUSTRAC plays a vital role in shaping and supporting the global network of FIUs dedicated to combating money laundering, terrorism financing and serious financial crime.
- AUSTRAC has dedicated leadership roles, which are crucial for fostering international cooperation, shaping policy and ensuring that FIUs operate effectively across borders. We remain steadfast in our dedication to:
- Support capacity building and technical assistance across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
- Sharing best practices and typologies to inform global responses to emerging risks.
- Championing Public-Private collaboration through initiatives like the Fintel Alliance.
- Advocating for transparency, accountability and financial system resilience.
- As part of our leadership within the Asia Pacific Regional Group, AUSTRAC actively collaborates with the Financial Intelligence Consultative Group (FICG) and Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC).
- These partnerships enhance regional coordination, promote knowledge exchange, and strengthen collective responses to transnational threats.
Financial Intelligence Consultative Group (FICG)
Established in 2016 by AUSTRAC and Indonesia’s financial intelligence unit (PPATK), the Financial Intelligence Consultative Group (FICG) is a regional partnership that brings together senior representatives from 11 Southeast Asian FIUs, alongside New Zealand and Australia. The FICG also welcomes observers from Japan and Fiji, reflecting its growing influence and reach across the Indo-Pacific.
AUSTRAC proudly serves as the permanent Co-Chair of the FICG, working alongside a rotating Co-Chair selected by member countries—currently the Philippines’ FIU (AMLC). To support this leadership role, AUSTRAC hosts the FICG Secretariat and facilitates regular engagement, including quarterly meetings and an annual in-person Plenary.
Built on trust and shared priorities, the FICG provides a practical platform for member FIUs to coordinate operations, share actionable intelligence, and strengthen regional capabilities to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. This collaboration underscores AUSTRAC’s commitment to fostering effective international partnerships and driving meaningful progress across Southeast Asia
Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC)
The Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) is a regional forum that brings together Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) from across the South Pacific to strengthen cooperation in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. Established in 2021 by AUSTRAC, Papua New Guinea’s FASU, Fiji FIU, and New Zealand FIU, the PFIC now includes senior representatives from 15 FIUs spanning the region—from the Cook Islands to Kiribati.
AUSTRAC serves as the permanent Co-Chair of the PFIC, alongside a rotating Co-Chair selected by member countries—currently held by Fiji FIU. Together, members meet regularly to share insights, coordinate strategies, and address shared priorities through both multilateral and bilateral collaboration. The PFIC convenes bi-monthly, with an annual in-person Plenary to deepen engagement and drive regional progress.
By fostering trust, dialogue, and joint action, the PFIC plays a vital role in building resilience across Pacific nations and enhancing the region’s collective ability to respond to financial crime.
FASU-AUSTRAC Mutual Evaluation Support (FAMES) Program
AUSTRAC has a long history of providing capacity building and operational engagement with our Papua New Guinea counterpart, FASU. PNG is a key intelligence diplomacy partner for AUSTRAC and a strategic geopolitical partner for the Australian Government.
To support FASU’s response to PNG’s 2024 mutual evaluation (ME), AUSTRAC with funding from DFAT, established a new capacity building program. See the Papua New Guinea MER 2024 for more information.
The FAMES program sits within the International Programs team and consists of two staff. The program’s schedule of planned activities over its three-year lifespan include:
- Financial Intelligence Analyst Courses (FIACs)
- Analyst and Supervisory Exchanges between FASU and AUSTRAC
- Multilateral Intelligence Projects
- Mentoring Exchange for Women Leaders in FASU
- Making improvements to FASU’s intelligence databases and IT infrastructure.
AUSTRAC’s capacity building programs, like the FAMES program, help develop close relationships with strategically important recipient counterparts as well lift their capacity to manage the AML/CTF risks in their jurisdictions.
International presence
AUSTRAC Liaison Officers are based in key locations around the world to support multilateral and bilateral initiatives. AUSTRAC has officers located in:
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Beijing, China
- London, UK
- Washington DC, USA
- Suva, Fiji
The liaison officers build working relationships with our counterpart FIUs as well as other regional and global AML/CTF partners to promote AUSTRAC as a partner of choice internationally.
The liaison officer network is supported by Australia-based Program Managers who deliver targeted capacity-building initiatives and programs across the Pacific, Mekong, and the Philippines.
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