Australia’s financial sector intelligence unit, AUSTRAC, helps fight financial crime in the country. Regarding fighting organised crime, AUSTRAC has been the Australian government body in charge of fighting criminals who use the financial system for their ends. Because of the AUSTRAC reporting and the centre’s existence since 1989, various forms of crime, including terrorism funding, have been kept in check. 

AUSTRAC uses strong regulation and enhanced intelligence assets to generate financial intelligence to gather financial data. National security and police investigations are bolstered by this valuable information about potential crime and criminal activity.

Financial Transaction Reporting and Counter-Terrorism Financing (FTR) and Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing (AML/CFT). 

• All financial institutions, corporations that would provide instant protection and banking sectors, funders that manage trust funds on their own and from different parties, and independent company owners are covered by the Bank Transaction Reports Act (FTR Act). AUSTRAC must be notified of large cash transactions, usually in the tens of thousands of Australian dollars or more. Cash dealers suspicious of a fraudulent transaction must also inform the organisation. As a result of the FTR Act, business owners will have a much easier time identifying their clients, which will help cut down on fraud. 
• Account deposits, currency trading, life insurance and loans are among the services covered by AUSTRAC’s AML/CFT Act reporting. Within ten business days of a transaction totalling at least ten thousand Australian dollars, entities must report it to the FTR. The sender or recipient of capital inflows must also report the transaction within ten business days. Any suspicious transactions must be reported to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours of discovery. Anything that can be used to start investigating or prosecute a person or organisation, tax evasion, and other illicit behaviour against the commonwealth’s laws can be a source of suspicion. 

These two pieces of legislation were passed to ensure companies follow policies to reduce or report financial fraud, terrorism financing, and tax evasion. 

Compliance with the Australian Taxation Office (AUSTRAC): 

As previously mentioned, AUSTRAC does have the authority to restrict acceptable entities that violate the two ACTs in question: 

• There will be a penalty order from the Federal Court, which will require the entity to pay any fines owed to the state. It will depend on the situation whether or not a certain sum is appropriate. 
• Infringement Notices are issued when a specific part of the ACTs is infringed upon. 
• Using written notices, AUSTRAC can request that the company appoint an independent audit if there is sufficient evidence to suspect that the ACTs have been violated or that malpractice has occurred. Detailed information about what needs to be audited is contained in the report. 
• Risk Assessment: If AUSTRAC is not pleased with how an assessment has been carried out initially, written notices could be sent to different bodies. 

If there are valid reasons to be concerned, the AUSTRAC reporting could also reject or suspend a registration application. It could happen for the following reasons, all of which can breach the set prices: 

• Smuggling, financing of terrorism, and money laundering are all possibilities for this company. 
• Despite the company’s best efforts, there is a risk that cannot be quantified. 
• There are no files to support incorrect or incomplete registration information. 
• Requests for extra info will be ignored if the entity doesn’t respond. 
• All of this ensures that they can fulfil their responsibilities.