Australian Sanction Office - News

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) has released three new guidance notes to assist the regulated community understand their sanctions obligations, particularly in the context of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) reforms.

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) has published 1 new advisory note on Sanctions Risks of incoming funds from Iran.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has, by legislative instrument, designated persons and entities for targeted financial sanctions, declared persons for travel bans, and designated vessels as sanctioned vessels for Russia  (together, “listed”), under item 6A of regulation 6 (the Russia Criteria) and regulation 8 (the vessels criteria) of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).

On 24 February 2026 the Foreign Minister announced  Australia had lowered the Oil Price Cap (OPC) applicable to maritime services provided in relation to Russian-origin crude oil from USD47.60 to USD44.10 per barrel.

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) has updated 5 guidance and advisory notes and released 1 new guidance note to assist the regulated community understand their sanctions obligations.

In accordance with item 4 of regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has designated, for targeted financial sanctions and/or declared for travel bans, by legislative instrument.

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

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.

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.

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).