Australian Sanctions Office (ASO)

This document only provides a summary of relevant sanctions laws. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice or for consulting the full text of sanctions laws at legislation.gov.au). It is your responsibility to ensure you do not contravene Australian sanctions laws, including by obtaining your own legal advice

Australia is experiencing an increase in persistent and pervasive cybercrime threats targeting critical infrastructure, governments, industry and the Australian community. The Government will use all lawful and appropriate levers to deter and disrupt cybercrime. Australia's autonomous sanctions framework, which is established by the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 and the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (collectively, 'Australian autonomous sanctions laws') is one tool available to respond to a significant cyber incident.

The Australian Sanctions Office, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is publishing an advisory to alert the community to attempts by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and remote DPRK information technology (IT) workers to obtain employment while posing as non-DPRK nationals.

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.

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 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.

Australia established a thematic autonomous sanctions framework in relation to serious corruption on 21 December 2021. Unlike a country-specific autonomous sanctions framework, a thematic autonomous sanctions framework applies to sanctionable conduct wherever it occurs in the world.

Australia established a thematic autonomous sanctions framework in relation to significant cyber incidents on 21 December 2021. Unlike a country-specific autonomous sanctions framework, a thematic autonomous sanctions framework applies to sanctionable conduct wherever it occurs in the world.

Snapshot: Serious violations or serious abuses of human rights sanctions framework