International relations

Australian Government officials must not contravene Australian sanctions laws and are not immune from prosecution for sanctions offences. Australian Government officials must take positive steps to prevent sanctions contraventions.

This guidance note outlines the prohibitions on dealing with designated persons or entities under Australian sanctions laws. It details restrictions on providing financial assets to these parties and managing assets they own or control. 

Australian sanctions laws can affect various activities conducted by Australian universities, especially when enrolling a student, employing a person, or engaging in research collaborations with persons and entities from sanctioned countries.

Australian sanctions laws impose strict prohibitions on dealing with designated persons or entities, including to require financial institutions and other entities to freeze assets owned or controlled by these persons or entities.

Members of the public can report sanctions non-compliance to the ASO by email to sanctions@dfat.gov.au, or submitting a query through DFAT’s sanctions portal, Pax. 

This guidance note is produced by the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). It provides a summary of relevant sanctions laws but does not cover all possible sanctions risks. 

We appreciate the initiative taken by the African Group to find a way forward to address the Third Committee’s workload which has significantly increased over recent years.

We commend the Africa Group for presenting this important resolution and leading us through arduous negotiations in good faith. 

Our concerns to strengthen language on this important issue were not heard or addressed, and we find the exclusion of sexual and reproductive health-care services unacceptable.

We want to recognize the value of families in all our societies.