If you have any information about potential contravention of Australian sanctions laws, please email at sanctions@dfat.gov.au.

Australian sanction laws apply to:

• activities conducted in Australia.
• activities conducted overseas by Australian citizens and bodies corporate overseas.
• activities conducted on Australian-flagged vessels and aircraft.

Contravening a sanctions measure or a sanctions permit

: Contravening a sanctions measure or a condition of a sanctions permit under Australian law, is a serious criminal offence that carries the following penalties:

• Individuals: Up to 10 years imprisonment, and/or a fine of 2500 penalty units ($825,000 as of 7 November 2024) or three times the value of the transaction/s.
• Bodies Corporate: A fine of 10,000 penalty units ($3.3 million as of 7 November 2024) or three times the value of the transaction/s.

Sanctions offences are strict liability offences for bodies corporate, meaning that it is not necessary to prove any fault element (intent, knowledge, recklessness, or negligence) for a body corporate to be found guilty.

Giving false or misleading information

Providing false or misleading information related to sanctions administration is also a serious offence punishable by up to ten years imprisonment and/or a fine of 2500 penalty units ($825,000 as of 7 November 2024).

Sanctions Permits: A permit is considered invalid if obtained through false or misleading information.

Notice to give information or documents

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) may issue a notice requiring an individual to provide information or documents, under oath, to verify compliance with Australian sanctions laws. This notice must be complied with, even if the information could be self-incriminating. Failure to comply is punishable by up to 12 months in prison.