Sanctions

In addition to providing guidance on specific sanctions frameworks, the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) provides information on a number of sanctions-related issues that span multiple frameworks or that may affect specific industries.

This Advisory is produced by the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). This Advisory outlines several sanctions evasion tactics employed by third party intermediaries.

Shortly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Commission launched the Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs (REPO) Task Force, a multilateral effort that has used information sharing and coordination to isolate and exert unprecedented pressure on sanctioned Russian individuals and entities.

Permit authorising provision of financial assistance and financial services in respect of Russian refined petroleum products purchased at or below a price cap (issued 15 February 2023)

Permit authorising the transport by ship of Russian refined petroleum products purchased at or below a price cap (issued 15 February 2023)

Permit authorising making assets available to persons or entities designated under the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Cth) in connection with the protection of intellectual property under the laws of the Russian Federation or the Euroasian Patent Convention.

DFAT is undertaking a legislative review of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, ahead of their sunsetting (automatic expiry) on 1 April 2024. The review, led by the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO), will be informed by responses to the ASO’s Issues Paper.

Australia has joined the G7 in implementing a price cap on seaborne Russian-origin oil.

Australia will prohibit the import, purchase or transport of gold exported from Russia after 30 September 2022.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs intends to designate gold as an ‘import sanctioned good’ for Russia under subregulation 4A(3) of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011.