The AUSTRAC AML/CTF Starter Programs provide a structured pathway to achieving AML/CTF compliance that will significantly reduce the effort and cost of AML/CTF compliance for entities required to meet AML/CTF obligations under Tranche 2.
As Australia prepares for the landmark Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) reforms – set to take effect in the coming months – businesses across sectors face a pivotal moment not just to comply with how to manage financial crime risk, but to transform themselves for the better. The real challenge lies in building a culture that embeds AML obligations into the DNA of an organisation.
How leadership teams can implement effective ML/TF risk management, ongoing AML/CTF compliance, and the successful definition and embedding of an organisation's AML/CTF compliance culture.
The Federal Court’s $5.8M ACL decision signals a new era for privacy, cybersecurity, and governance in Australia. It reinforces that privacy and cyber obligations start Day 1 of any acquisition, governance failures will be scrutinised, and accountability cannot be outsourced. Boards must ensure robust oversight, deep cyber due diligence, and forensic incident response. With OAIC escalating regulatory enforcement, organisations face heightened legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Grant Thornton is a leading specialist in AML/CTF risk management and can assist businesses by providing tailored AML/CTF risk management and compliance services
In June this year, APRA published its eight proposed changes to its governance prudential standards. We have summarised APRA’s updated/clarified position and provided guidance on some steps that boards should be doing to prepare for the revised standards.
ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland outlines key regulatory priorities in the credit sector, focusing on responsible lending, dispute resolution, and protecting vulnerable consumers from misconduct.
Currently, the higher education section is experiencing an evolving risk landscape. As the sector faces mounting pressures – from staff wellbeing to cyber threats – resilience is no longer optional. So how can leaders prepare for the next wave of challenges?
In October, APRA Executive Board Member Suzanne Smith delivered a speech at the ICA Conference 2025. In her speech, Suzanne Smith urged the insurance industry to embrace resilience, innovation, and leadership as core pillars to future proof the industry, at a time of heightened scrutiny around operational resilience, consumer trust, and the evolving risk landscape driven by climate change and artificial intelligence.
Australia’s Country-by-Country (“CbC”) reporting regime has evolved significantly in recent years, reflecting a broader global shift towards tax transparency
The AML Reforms introduce the concept of a 'reporting group'—a flexible model that allows both related and unrelated entities to manage and mitigate ML/TF risks under a single, comprehensive AML/CTF Program.
The introduction of Value Transfer Service obligations under Australia’s AML/CTF reforms significantly broadens the scope of compliance requirements, affecting a wide range of businesses and requiring new processes, technology, and training.