Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules

Administered by Attorney-General's Department

Legislation au F2006L04232 Rules Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

Explanatory Statement – Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules  in Respect of Reportable Details of Bearer Negotiable Instruments

 

1. Purpose and operation of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules (Rules) in respect of reportable details of bearer negotiable instruments

 

Section 229 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (the Act) provides that the AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) may, by writing, make Rules prescribing matters required or permitted by any other provision of the Act to be prescribed by the Rules.  

 

Division 3 of Part 4 of the Act deals with reports about movements of bearer negotiable instruments into or out of Australia. Subsection 59(1) requires that if a person produces to a police officer or customs officer, one or more bearer negotiable instruments, or a police officer or customs officer conducts an examination or search and finds one or more bearer negotiable instruments that a person has with him or her, the officer may require the person to give the AUSTRAC CEO, a customs officer or a police officer, a report about the bearer negotiable instruments as soon as possible.

 

Under paragraph 59(2)(b) of the Act, the report must contain such information as specified in the Rules.  The information specified in the Rules includes:

 

  • full details of the person carrying the bearer negotiable instrument(s);

 

  • full details of the recipient of the bearer negotiable instrument(s); and

 

  • full details of the bearer negotiable instrument(s).

 

These Rules and Division 3 of Part 4 of the Act commence on 14 December 2006.

 

2. Legislative instruments

 

These Rules are legislative instruments as defined in section 5 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

 

3. Likely impact

 

The Rules will have an impact on any person travelling into or out of Australia who:

 

(a) carries bearer negotiable instrument(s); and
 

(b) is requested by a police officer or customs officer to give the AUSTRAC CEO, a customs officer or a police officer, a report about bearer negotiable instrument(s).

 

In terms of any likely costs to consumers, there is no direct cost other than the time taken to complete the form.

 

4. Assessment of benefits

 

Division 3 of Part 4 of the Act provides for a reporting system in relation to bearer negotiable instruments. This system implements the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force’s Special Recommendation IX (SR IX) on financing of terrorism in relation to cash couriers.  In brief, SR IX requires countries to have systems in place to detect physical cross-border transportation of bearer negotiable instruments and physical currency.

Reports about bearer negotiable instruments will result in improved financial intelligence which will help Australian law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. Increased financial intelligence will also help the Australian Taxation Office to detect tax evasion and Centrelink to detect welfare fraud.

 

5.  Consultation

 

AUSTRAC has consulted with the Privacy Commissioner, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Crime Commission in relation to these Rules.

 

AUSTRAC also published a draft of these Rules on its website for public comments.

 

6. Ongoing consultation

 

AUSTRAC will conduct ongoing consultation with stakeholders on the operation of the Rules.


Explanatory Statement - Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules  in Respect of Movements of Physical Currency into or out of Australia

 

1. Purpose and operation of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules (Rules) in respect of movements of physical currency into or out of Australia

 

Section 229 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (the Act) provides that the AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) may, by writing, make Rules prescribing matters required or permitted by any other provision of the Act to be prescribed by the Rules.

 

Division 2 of Part 4 of the Act deals with reports about movements of physical currency into or out of Australia. Subsection 53(3) requires that where a person moves physical currency into or out of Australia, and the amount of the currency is not less than $10 000, the person commits an offence unless the person provides to the AUSTRAC CEO, a customs officer or a police office, a report about the physical currency.

 

Under paragraph 53(8) of the Act, the report must contain such information as specified in the Rules. The information specified in the Rules includes:

 

  • full details of the person carrying the physical currency(ies); and

 

  • full details of the currency(ies).

 

The Rules and Division 2 of Part 4 of the Act commence on 14 December 2006.

 

2. Legislative instruments

 

These Rules are legislative instruments as defined in section 5 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

 

3. Likely impact

 

The Rules will have an impact on any person travelling into or out of Australia who carries physical currency of not less than $10,000.

 

In terms of any likely costs to consumers, there is no direct cost other than the time taken to complete the form.

 

4. Assessment of benefits

 

The Rules and Division 2 of Part 4 of the Act (reports about movements of physical currency into or out of Australia) provides for a reporting system in relation to physical currency. This system implements the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force’s Special Recommendation IX (SR IX) on financing of terrorism in relation to cash couriers.  In brief, SR IX requires countries to have systems in place to detect physical cross-border transportation of bearer negotiable instruments and physical currency. The Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 contains similar requirements in respect of physical currency.

Reports about movements of physical currency will result in improved financial intelligence which will help Australian law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. Increased financial intelligence will also help the Australian Taxation Office to detect tax evasion and Centrelink to detect welfare fraud.

 

5.  Consultation

 

AUSTRAC has consulted with the Privacy Commissioner, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Crime Commission in relation to the Rules.

 

AUSTRAC also published a draft of these Rules on its website for public comments.

 

6. Ongoing consultation

 

AUSTRAC will conduct ongoing consultation with stakeholders on the operation of the Rules.

 


Explanatory Statement –  Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules in respect of Receipt of Physical Currency from Outside Australia

 

1. Purpose and operation of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules (Rules) in respect of receipt of physical currency from outside Australia

 

Section 229 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (the Act) provides that the AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) may, by writing, make Rules prescribing matters required or permitted by any other provision of the Act to be prescribed by the Rules.

 

Division 2 of Part 4 of the Act deals with reports about receipt of physical currency from outside Australia. Subsection 55(5)(b) requires that where a person receives physical currency moved from outside Australia and the amount of the currency is not less than $10 000, the person commits an offence unless the person provides to the AUSTRAC CEO, a customs officer or a police office, a report about the physical currency.

 

Under paragraph 55(5)(b) of the Act, the report must contain such information as specified in the Rules. The information specified in the Rules includes:

 

  • full details of the person receiving the physical currency(ies);
  • the means by which the physical currency has been moved to the person from outside Australia;
  • the name of the person or the service provider who moved the physical currency to the recipient from outside Australia; and
  • full details of the currency(ies).

 

The Rules and Division 2 of Part 4 of the Act commence on 14 December 2006.

 

2. Legislative instruments

 

These Rules are legislative instruments as defined in section 5 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

 

3. Likely impact

 

The Rules will have an impact on any person receiving physical currency of not less than $10,000 from overseas.

 

In terms of any likely costs to consumers, there is no direct cost other than the time taken to complete the form.

 

4. Assessment of benefits

 

The Rules and Division 2 of Part 4 of the Act (reports about receipts of physical currency from outside Australia) provides for a reporting system in relation to physical currency. This system implements the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force’s Special Recommendation IX (SR IX) on financing of terrorism in relation to cash couriers.  In brief, SR IX requires countries to have systems in place to detect physical cross-border transportation of bearer negotiable instruments and physical currency. The Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 contains similar requirements in respect of physical currency.

Reports about receipt of physical currency will result in improved financial intelligence which will help Australian law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. Increased financial intelligence will also help the Australian Taxation Office to detect tax evasion and Centrelink to detect welfare fraud.

 

5.  Consultation

 

AUSTRAC has consulted with the Privacy Commissioner, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Crime Commission in relation to the Rules.

 

AUSTRAC also published a draft of these Rules on its website for public comments.

 

6. Ongoing consultation

 

AUSTRAC will conduct ongoing consultation with stakeholders on the operation of the Rules.

 


Explanatory Statement – Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules in Respect of Registrable Details

 

1. Purpose and operation of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules (Rules) in respect of registrable details

 

Section 229 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (the Act) provides that the AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) may, by writing, make Rules prescribing matters required or permitted by any other provision of the Act to be prescribed by the Rules.  

 

Part 6 of the Act deals with the register of providers of designated remittance services. Paragraph 74(1) requires that a person must not provide a registrable designated remittance service if that person’s name and registrable details are not entered on the Register of providers of Designated Services. 

 

Clause 5 of the Act defines Registrable Details as such information as specified in the Rules.  The information specified in the Rules includes:

 

  • Full details are required of the person providing the service

 

  • Full details are required of the person’s business

 

 

These Rules and Part 6 of the Act commence on 14 December 2006.

 

2. Legislative instruments

 

These Rules are legislative instruments as defined in section 5 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003.

 

3. Likely impact

 

The Rules will have an impact on all persons who provide designated remittance services.

 

In terms of any likely costs to persons, there is no direct cost other than the time taken to complete the form.

 

4. Assessment of benefits

 

Part 6 of the Act provides for a reporting system in relation to all persons who provide registrable designated remittance services. This system implements the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force’s Special Recommendation VI (SR VI).  In brief, SR VI requires countries to have systems in place to ensure that persons or legal entities are licensed or registered and subject to all the FATF Recommendations.

A register of providers of designated remittance services will result in improved compliance by this industry sector with its obligations under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing legislation.  This in turn will result in improved financial intelligence which will help Australian law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. Increased financial intelligence will also help the Australian Taxation Office to detect tax evasion and Centrelink to detect welfare fraud.

 

5.  Consultation

 

AUSTRAC has consulted with the Privacy Commissioner, the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Crime Commission in relation to these Rules.

 

AUSTRAC also published a draft of these Rules on its website for public comments.

 

6. Ongoing consultation

 

AUSTRAC will conduct ongoing consultation with stakeholders on the operation of the Rules.

 

Overview

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 was enacted to address the significant risks posed by money laundering and the financing of terrorism, which threaten Australia's economic and national security. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) is tasked with the administration of the Act and has the authority to make Rules under section 229 to further specify matters required or permitted by the Act. The explanatory statement outlines several Rules aimed at enhancing financial intelligence and compliance, including those pertaining to reportable details of bearer negotiable instruments, movements of physical currency into or out of Australia, receipt of physical currency from overseas, and registrable details for providers of designated remittance services. These Rules are designed to implement international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force and improve the detection and prevention of illicit financial activities. The anticipated benefits of these Rules include enhanced financial intelligence for law enforcement agencies and better detection of tax evasion and welfare fraud. AUSTRAC has undertaken consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Privacy Commissioner, Australian Customs Service, Australian Federal Police, Australian Taxation Office, and Australian Crime Commission, and has published draft Rules for public comment. Ongoing consultation with stakeholders will continue to refine the operation of these Rules.

Scope and Application

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules outlined in the explanatory statement apply to individuals and entities engaged in specific financial activities within Australia. These rules primarily target persons who carry bearer negotiable instruments, physical currency, or receive physical currency from outside Australia, with a threshold of $10,000 or more. Additionally, the rules apply to providers of designated remittance services who must register their details with AUSTRAC. The jurisdictional reach of these rules is national, as they are implemented under the Commonwealth Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. The explanatory statement does not specify any exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds apart from the monetary limit of $10,000 for currency movements. The AUSTRAC CEO has the authority to make these rules under section 229 of the Act, and these rules are considered legislative instruments under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. The statement indicates that ongoing consultation with stakeholders will be conducted to monitor the rules' operation.

Key Provisions

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules, as outlined in the Explanatory Statement, establish specific requirements for reporting on bearer negotiable instruments, physical currency movements, receipt of physical currency from outside Australia, and registrable details of designated remittance service providers. These Rules are instrumental in ensuring compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (the Act) and are intended to facilitate the detection and prevention of financial crimes such as money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Section 229 of the Act empowers the AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to prescribe the necessary details to be included in reports on bearer negotiable instruments, physical currency, and designated remittance services. For bearer negotiable instruments, Section 59(1) mandates that a report containing specified information must be provided to the AUSTRAC CEO, a customs officer, or a police officer upon request by a police or customs officer. This information includes the details of the person carrying the instrument, the recipient, and the instrument itself. Similarly, Section 53(3) requires a report when moving physical currency of $10,000 or more into or out of Australia, including details of the person carrying the currency and the currency itself. Section 55(5)(b) imposes the same reporting requirement when receiving physical currency from outside Australia, with additional details required such as the means of transfer and the sender's information. Lastly, Section 74(1) mandates that a person providing a designated remittance service must have their registrable details, including personal and business information, entered on the Register of providers of Designated Services. These Rules impose several obligations on individuals and entities. For instance, individuals carrying bearer negotiable instruments or physical currency of $10,000 or more into or out of Australia, or receiving such currency from overseas, must comply with the reporting requirements outlined in the Rules. Additionally, providers of designated remittance services must ensure their registrable details are correctly entered on the Register of providers of Designated Services. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to legal consequences. Breach of these reporting requirements can result in criminal or civil penalties. Under the Act, failure to provide a required report when moving or receiving physical currency of $10,000 or more constitutes an offence. Additionally, providing false or misleading information in a report can lead to further penalties. The maximum penalties for these offences can be significant, reflecting the seriousness of non-compliance with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. These penalties serve as a deterrent against attempts to circumvent the legislative framework designed to protect the financial system from illicit activities.

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Area of Law
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing
Instrument
Regulation
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Definitions & Interpretation
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.