Australia's autonomous sanctions: Iran

Iran: Public consultation on new autonomous sanctions

The Government is seeking public comment on the exposure draft of proposed amendments to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 imposing additional sanctions relating to Iran. More information: Iran: Public consultation on new autonomous sanctions

From October 2008, Australia has imposed targeted autonomous sanctions in relation to Iran’s proliferation sensitive nuclear and missile programs and efforts to contravene United Nations Security Council sanctions.

As a consequence, Australian law currently prohibits:

Sanctioned supply

1. The supply, sale or transfer to Iran of the following “export sanctioned goods”:

  1. arms and related materiel;
  2. goods mentioned in the Australia Group Common Control Lists, as existing from time to time
  3. specified equipment and technology for the oil and gas industry, or the petrochemical industry*
  4. newly printed or unissued Iranian denominated bank notes or newly minted or unissued Iranian denominated coinage
  5. gold, precious metals and diamonds (applies only to the sale, supply or transfer of such goods to the government of Iran or its public bodies, corporations or agencies, including persons, entities or bodies acting on their behalf or at their direction and entities or bodies owned or controlled by them).

*Goods specified by the Minister in the Autonomous Sanctions (Export Sanctioned Goods - Iran) Specification 2012 [PDF 96 KB]

Sanctioned import

2. The import, purchase or transport of the following “import sanctioned goods”, when the goods originate in, or are exported from, Iran:

  1. specified crude oil products*
  2. specified petroleum products*
  3. specified petrochemical products*
  4. gold, precious metals and diamonds (applies only to the import, purchase or transport of such goods from or for the government of Iran or its public bodies, corporations or agencies, including persons, entities or bodies acting on their behalf or at their direction and entities or bodies owned or controlled by them).

*Goods specified by the Minister in the Autonomous Sanctions (Import Sanctioned Goods –Iran) Specification 2012 [PDF 61 KB]

Sanctioned service

3. The provision of technical advice, assistance or training, a financial service or financial or other assistance to Iran, related to

  1. military activities or
  2. a sanctioned supply for Iran
  3. the manufacture, maintenance or use of an export sanctioned good for Iran

4. The provision of a financial service or financial assistance to Iran, related to a sanctioned import for Iran.

Sanctioned commercial activity

5. The acquisition or extension of an interest in, or the establishment of or participation in a joint venture with, or the granting of a financial loan or credit to, any of the following entities:

  1. An entity in Iran that is engaged in:
    • the Iranian petrochemical industry; or
    • any of the following sectors of the Iranian oil and gas industry:
      • refining of fuels;
      • exploration of crude oil or natural gas;
      • production of crude oil or natural gas;
      • liquefaction of natural gas
  2. An Iranian entity engaged in a sector mentioned in (a) outside Iran
  3. An Iranian-owned entity engaged in a sector mentioned in (a) outside Iran

6. The sale (or otherwise making available) of an interest in a commercial activity in the Australian oil and gas industry (refining of fuels, exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, and the liquefaction of natural gas) to any of the following persons or entities:

  1. the government of Iran
  2. any natural person in, or resident in, Iran
  3. an entity formed or incorporated in Iran
  4. an entity or person acting on behalf of or at the direction of an entity or a person mentioned in items (a) to (c)
  5. an entity owned or controlled by a person or entity mentioned in items (a) to (c)

7. The setting up in Australia of a representative office, or of a branch or subsidiary, of, or the acquisition or extension of an interest in an Australian financial institution by, any of the following entities:

  1. a financial institution domiciled in Iran
  2. a branch or a subsidiary, wherever located, of a financial institution domiciled in Iran
  3. a financial institution, wherever domiciled, that is controlled by an entity or a person domiciled in Iran

8. The establishment, by a financial institution, of a joint venture, or a correspondent banking relationship, or a bank account, with any of the following entities:

  1. a financial institution domiciled in Iran
  2. a branch or a subsidiary, wherever located, of a financial institution domiciled in Iran
  3. a financial institution, wherever domiciled, that is controlled by an entity or a person domiciled in Iran

The setting up, by a financial institution, of a representative office or of a branch or subsidiary in Iran.

Targeted financial sanctions

9. The use or dealing with the assets of, and the making available of assets to, a person or entity designated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs other than as authorised by a permit issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Travel restrictions

10. The entry or transit through Australia of persons declared by the Minister as meeting the criteria for Iran under regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations.

Authorisations and inquiries

To apply for an authorisation to engage in conduct otherwise prohibited by sanctions, or to make an inquiry as to whether a specific transaction is subject to sanctions, please use the Online Sanctions Administration System.