Australian Sanction Office - News

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is undertaking public consultation on proposed amendments to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (Cth). Submissions close on Wednesday 22 October 2025.

On 18 September 2025 the Foreign Minister announced Australia had lowered the Oil Price Cap (OPC) applicable to Russian-origin crude oil from USD60 to USD47.60 per barrel.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated 95 vessels as sanctioned vessels for Russia (‘listed’) in accordance with regulation 8 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).

In accordance with section 15 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 (COTUNA), the Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has listed three persons and one entity for targeted financial sanctions by legislative instrument (Charter of the United Nations (Listed Persons and Entities) Amendment (No. 3) Instrument 2025.

In accordance with item 6A of regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations), the Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has designated for targeted financial sanctions and declared for travel bans (together 'listed').

The Australian Sanctions Office (ASO) has released 4 new guidance and advisory notes. and updated 1 guidance note to assist the regulated community understand their sanctions obligations.

In accordance with section 15 of the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 (Cth) (the Act), the Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has previously listed, by legislative instrument, certain persons and entities. These persons and entities are hereby given notice that these listings are being considered as to whether they will continue to have effect.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated persons and entities for targeted financial sanctions and declared persons for travel bans (together, 'listed') in accordance with item 6A of regulation 6 (the Russia Criteria) of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).

On 19 May, AUSTRAC released ‘the second public consultation on new AML/CTF Rules’. Among the proposed changes include the requirement for reporting entities regulated by AUSTRAC to develop, maintain and comply with policies to ensure that they do not contravene targeted financial sanctions obligations, including asset freezing, in the provision of their designated services.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated 60 vessels as sanctioned vessels for Russia (‘listed’) in accordance with regulation 8 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).