Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011
Select Legislative Instrument No. 247, 2011
made under the
Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011
Compilation No. 18
Compilation date: 5 December 2025
Includes amendments: F2025L01499
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 5 December 2025 (the compilation date).
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).
Application, saving and transitional provisions
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Editorial changes
For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.
Presentational changes
The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.
Self‑repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name of Regulations
3 Definitions
3A Interpretative rule for provisions that specify both a part of a country and that country
3B Specified Ukraine regions
Part 2—Autonomous sanctions
4 Sanctioned supply
4A Sanctioned imports
5 Sanctioned service
5A Sanctioned commercial activity—Syria
5B Sanctioned commercial activity—Russia
5C Sanctioned commercial activity—specified Ukraine regions
5CA Sanctioned commercial activity—DPRK
5D Suspension of sanctions for specified activities
6 Country‑specific designation of persons or entities or declaration of persons
6A Thematic designation of persons or entities or declaration of persons
7 Designating controlled assets
8 Sanctioned vessels
10 Revocation of designation under regulation 6, 6A, 7 or 8 or declaration under regulation 6 or 6A
11 Application for revocation of designation under regulation 6, 6A, 7 or 8 or declaration under regulation 6 or 6A
Part 3—Sanctions laws
12 Prohibitions relating to a sanctioned supply
12A Prohibitions relating to sanctioned import
13 Prohibitions relating to the provision of sanctioned services
13A Prohibitions relating to engaging in sanctioned commercial activity
14 Prohibition of dealing with designated persons or entities
15 Prohibition of dealing with…
Overview
The Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 were enacted to provide a legal framework for the implementation of autonomous sanctions by Australia. These regulations were made under the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 and came into effect on 15 December 2011. The primary objective of these regulations is to enable Australia to impose sanctions independently of United Nations resolutions or other international agreements, thereby allowing the country to respond swiftly to global developments and threats that may not have been addressed through other international bodies. The regulations empower the Minister to designate persons, entities, and assets, and to impose various sanctions, including restrictions on the supply of goods, imports, services, and commercial activities, as well as the freezing of assets. This legislative instrument was introduced by the Parliament of Australia to address the need for a flexible and responsive sanctions regime that can be adjusted to meet emerging threats and geopolitical situations without waiting for international consensus.
Scope and Application
The Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, made under the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011, apply to individuals and entities involved in activities such as the supply, import, or provision of goods and services to or from designated countries or entities, including Afghanistan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Iran, Myanmar, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe. These regulations cover a broad range of activities including arms or related matériel, petrochemicals, energy, and financial transactions. The regulations allow the Minister to designate specific persons, entities, and assets, and to impose sanctions such as prohibiting certain commercial activities, making a supply or import sanctioned, and designating vessels. The Minister can also grant permits to authorize certain activities that would otherwise be prohibited. The scope of the regulations extends nationally, and they may also have extraterritorial effects. Exclusions or thresholds for application are determined by the Minister through legislative instruments, and the regulations can be amended or extended through subordinate legislation.
Key Provisions
- The Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations) govern the application of autonomous sanctions in Australia, targeting specific countries and entities involved in activities deemed detrimental to global peace and stability. These regulations define key terms and specify the types of activities and entities subject to sanctions, including the supply and import of sanctioned goods, provision of sanctioned services, and commercial activities with designated entities. The Regulations outline the criteria for designating individuals, entities, and assets subject to sanctions, and detail the types of activities that are prohibited, such as supplying or importing sanctioned goods, providing sanctioned services, or engaging in commercial activities with designated persons or entities. They also describe the process for applying for permits to conduct activities that would otherwise be prohibited, and the obligations of entities and individuals to report and refrain from dealing with designated assets.
- The Regulations impose obligations on designated entities and individuals to cease activities that would otherwise be in breach of the sanctions, such as refraining from making assets available to designated persons or entities. They also mandate that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintain a consolidated list of designated persons, entities, and assets, and provide advance notice of any new designations to relevant businesses. The Regulations further require entities and individuals to inform the Australian Federal Police if they suspect an asset is controlled by a designated person or entity.
- Breaches of the Regulations can result in both civil and criminal penalties. For example, engaging in a sanctioned supply, import, service, or commercial activity without authorisation is an offence that can lead to penalties, including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the Regulations provide for the forfeiture of sanctioned vessels that contravene directions issued by the Minister. The severity of penalties may vary depending on the nature and extent of the breach, with some offences carrying maximum penalties of up to 25 years imprisonment and substantial fines.
- In summary, the Regulations provide a comprehensive framework for the implementation of autonomous sanctions in Australia, detailing the scope of activities and entities subject to sanctions, the process for designation and permit applications, and the obligations and consequences for non-compliance. The Regulations aim to enforce global sanctions policies within Australia, targeting activities and entities that pose a threat to international peace and security.
- Area of Law
- International Law
- International Trade Law
- Sanctions
- Instrument
- Regulation
- Concepts
- Definitions & Interpretation
- Offence Provisions
- Enforcement Powers
- Civil Penalty Provisions
- Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
- Compliance Obligations