Australia: White Collar Crime, Anti-Corruption & Fraud

AUSTRAC's section 167 notices represent a powerful investigative tool that can compel Tranche 2 entities to prove their AML/CTF compliance through documentary evidence. While much attention has focused on implementing compliance frameworks, the real test comes when organisations must substantiate their efforts under regulatory scrutiny. Can your business prove what it claims to have done?

Australian regulators are accelerating enforcement activity across AI governance, online safety, financial crime, private credit, ESG disclosure, and corporate bribery as new legislative frameworks take effect. With technology-enabled oversight replacing traditional transition periods, businesses face heightened scrutiny and compressed implementation timelines that demand immediate compliance readiness rather than gradual adaptation.

The Victorian Government has launched a Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, examining allegations of corruption, criminal conduct and serious misconduct across major construction projects. The inquiry will scrutinise procurement practices, labour hire arrangements, subcontracting models, supply chains, project governance and government oversight, with implications extending far beyond Victoria's borders.

The Australian trucking industry faces a perfect storm of structural challenges including driver shortages, environmental obligations, and sham contracting arrangements. Recent insolvency appointments reveal disturbing patterns of inflated vehicle acquisitions, missing assets, and potential phoenix activity that are creating substantial losses for lenders and creditors across the sector.

The NSW Government has introduced sweeping legislative reforms targeting organised crime and gang violence following a surge in shootings, kidnappings, and fire-bombings across Western Sydney. These new laws establish dedicated offences for "kill cars," impose harsher penalties for recruiting children into criminal activity, and strengthen provisions around public shootings and fire-bombing while explicitly incorporating organised crime considerations into bail decisions.

Australian authorities have sought to provide a clearer pathway for corporations to resolve foreign bribery and other investigations.

It has never been more important for organisations to invest in technology to combat against cyber-crime and fraud.

The risk landscape confronting corporates continues to shift quickly, shaped by geopolitical volatility, ongoing legal reform and common themes in the regulatory trajectory across borders.

In September 2024, Australia introduced sweeping reforms to its anti-bribery and corruption (ABC) regime with the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Foreign Bribery) Act 2024 (Foreign Bribery Act)...