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Australia and sanctions

Australia and sanctions

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) is the Australian Government’s sanctions regulator. The ASO was established on 1 January 2020 within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The ASO provides guidance to regulated entities on sanctions, processes applications for sanctions permits, and collaborates with other agencies to monitor and enforce compliance with Australian sanctions laws.

For assistance, or to discuss concerns about potential sanctions contraventions, contact the ASO directly via Contact Us or by using the form on Pax

Resources

News

  • The Australian Government has updated its United Nations sanctions framework in relation to Iran.

    Category
    International relations
  • The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has imposed sanctions in relation to Haiti. The sanctions were initially imposed in 2022 in the context of high levels of gang violence and other criminal activities undermining the peace, stability and security of Haiti and its region.

    Category
    International relations
  • Australia introduced an autonomous sanctions framework in relation to Afghanistan in December 2025.

    The Afghanistan framework enables the Foreign Minister to designate a person or entity for targeted financial sanctions, and declare persons for travel bans, if the Minister is satisfied they meet the Afghanistan criteria in item 1A of regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011.

    Category
    International relations
  • The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated 45 vessels as sanctioned vessels for Russia (‘listed’) in accordance with regulation 8 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).

    Category
    International relations
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