Playing By New Rules: AUSTRAC's Growing Reach In 2026

Over the past year, AUSTRAC has been busy on several fronts (making good use of its largest budget and staffing numbers to date). Key areas of focus have included:

• finalising, and preparing industry for, the suite of regulatory reforms that are being introduced through the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (Amended AML/CTF Act) and Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules 2025 (New Rules);
• releasing a suite of guidance notes in relation to compliance with key areas of reform;
• continuing to pursue a range of enforcement actions, including those aligned with its latest Fintech and cash intensive sector regulatory priorities; and