What we do
AUSTRAC performs a dual role as Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regulator and financial intelligence unit. This dual role helps to build resilience in the financial system and enables AUSTRAC to use financial intelligence and regulation to disrupt money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crime.
As Australia’s AML/CTF regulator, we regulate more than 17,000 businesses that provide financial, gambling, bullion, remittance and digital currency exchange services. We ensure regulated businesses comply with their obligations to have systems and controls in place to manage their risks and protect them and the community from criminal abuse.
As a financial intelligence unit, we collect and analyse financial reports and information to generate financial intelligence that contributes to law enforcement and national security investigations. Our specialist analysts generate targeted, actionable intelligence and work closely with industry, government and law enforcement partners to deliver tangible investigative and operational outcomes.
Read more about AUSTRAC regulation.
Read more about AUSTRAC's intelligence capabilities.
New and emerging technologies are changing the way financial services are delivered. As criminals become more sophisticated and develop new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in the Australian financial system, we will continue to evolve how we work with industry and our partners. Key to this is our highly collaborative approach and investment in our specialist workforce.
About AUSTRAC
Watch the video to learn how AUSTRAC helps to protect Australians from serious and organised crime.
Our vision
A financial system free from criminal abuse.
Our purpose
To build resilience in the financial system and use financial intelligence and regulation to disrupt money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crime.
Serious crime is motivated by profit, and no matter the size, most criminal acts leave a financial trail.
Criminals seek to exploit vulnerabilities within the financial sector to disguise illicit funds and enable other serious crimes such as terrorism, slavery, drug trafficking, child exploitation, fraud, tax evasion and corruption.
People committing crimes interact with the businesses we regulate to move money and hide the proceeds of their crimes.
Our financial intelligence specialists collaborate with law enforcement and national security partners to identify national security threats and detect and disrupt criminal networks and the proceeds of their crimes.
Reporting entities are at the front line in combating financial crime. We regulate more than 17,000 businesses to help them to protect their businesses and the financial sector from criminal abuse.
We make sure regulated businesses comply with their obligations to have systems and controls in place to manage risks, and we provide them with guidance and education to help them protect themselves from being exploited by criminals.
We also protect the integrity of the financial system by ensuring regulated entities comply with the law and can take legal action in cases of non-compliance.
The businesses we regulate detect and submit suspicious matters and report financial transactions to AUSTRAC. Our financial intelligence specialists analyse this information to identify potential criminal activity or risks to national security.
All transactions and suspicious matters reported to AUSTRAC are also directly available to more than 5,000 designated users within federal, state and territory partner agencies.
Learn more about AUSTRAC’s intelligence function and how our financial intelligence has played a key role in the detection and disruption of serious crime.
Download the poster and fact sheet
Fact sheet: How we work with industry and partners (PDF, 92KB)
Poster: How we work with industry and partners (PDF, 168KB)
As part of the Attorney General's portfolio and National Intelligence Community, we work together with government agencies and law enforcement partners at a state and federal level to support whole-of-government priorities.
We are a member of national and state task forces, providing specialist financial intelligence to national security and transnational serious and organised crime efforts.
To combat money laundering and terrorism financing across borders, we share intelligence with other financial intelligence units and regulators internationally.
We also contribute to international efforts by playing an active role in international AML/CTF organisations and through providing technical assistance and training.
In addition, AUSTRAC’s Fintel Alliance brings together government and private sector organisations who work together to increase the resilience of the financial sector and contribute to law enforcement investigations.
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.