Australian Sanction Office - News

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) GIVES NOTICE TO THE PERSONS AND ENTITIES NAMED BELOW that the Minister will be considering whether their listings under section 15 of the Act will continue to have effect.

The Australian Sanction Office (ASO) has published its annual report for the 2025 calendar year. This is the ASO’s first annual report. The report includes an overview of significant listings and a summary of autonomous sanctions listings from 2025. 

The ASO has undertaken to report annually to reflect regulator best practice.

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued the following statement on fraudulent North Korean (DPRK) IT workers.

Australia's sanctions frameworks equip the Australian Government to respond flexibly and effectively to situations of international concern. Sanctions are one of the tools available to the Government to impose costs on foreign actors that behave contrary to Australian values and national interests.

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 by legislative instrument (Charter of the United Nations (Listed Persons and Entities) Amendment (No. 2) Instrument 2026. 

In accordance with item 4 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/or declared for travel bans (together 'listed'), by legislative instrument.

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. 1) Instrument 2026.

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).