New Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Laws Coming in 2026
Australia is updating laws to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. AUSTRAC will gain new powers to restrict high-risk financial products and services.
Official source ↗The Australian government has announced reforms to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (AML/CTF Act), with legislation introduced to Parliament on 12 March 2026. These changes aim to strengthen Australia's ability to prevent illegal money movement and terrorism financing. The reforms give AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) new powers to restrict or prohibit high-risk financial products, services, or delivery channels. There will also be changes to how 'financing of terrorism' is defined under the law. The government consulted with industry, banks, accountants, and financial services providers between December 2025 and January 2026 to develop these reforms. While these changes primarily affect financial institutions and money service providers, visa applicants should be aware that enhanced financial scrutiny is part of Australia's security framework. If you have questions about how this affects your visa application or financial documentation requirements, contact Home Affairs directly.