Policy paper

UK-Australia Illicit Finance Dialogue 2025: joint statement

Published 4 December 2025

The United Kingdom Home Office and Australian Department of Home Affairs have reaffirmed a shared commitment to tackling illicit finance by convening the third annual UK-Australia Illicit Finance Dialogue in London in October 2025. The event brought together senior officials from both countries’ policy, law enforcement and intelligence agencies to strengthen collaboration and exchange best practice in our efforts to combat illicit finance.

Illicit finance poses a global threat; undermining economies, weakening democratic institutions, and destabilising the rules-based international order. This dialogue forms part of our countries ongoing joint response to illicit finance agreed under the 2022 UK-Australia Declaration to Combat Illicit Finance.

Building on progress made across previous Dialogues, we shared our perspectives on the dynamic and evolving threats in our regions, where illicit financing continues to fuel organised crime and other illegal enterprises that destroy the lives and livelihoods of millions.

Strong national coordination is crucial to respond effectively to such pervasive risks. We discussed the identified benefits of a comprehensive illicit finance strategy, drawing on lessons from the UK’s Economic Crime Plan 2 in driving a coordinated response and measuring success. Both countries discussed governance structures, public–private partnerships, and mechanisms such as the UK’s Economic Crime Levy.

Discussions of strategic responses also extended to specific financial crime typologies including corruption and fraud. Australia shared lessons from the establishment of its National Anti-Corruption Commission, while the UK outlined its forthcoming anti-corruption strategy. The UK presented its fraud response measures, including bank reimbursement obligations and digital safety tools. Discussions also covered crypto-related risks, including Australia’s recent announcement to ban crypto ATMs and the upcoming Illicit Finance Summit hosted by the UK.

In informing these strategic responses, we also examined recent operational activities, such as the recent UK and US joint action to disrupt a major online fraud network. The UK highlighted growing evidence of Russia-linked money laundering networks and shared insights from Operation DESTABILISE, with Australia sharing insights from Operation Avarus-Midas.

The UK noted that it has introduced designations on prolific criminals and expanded the Home Office exclusion guidance giving the Home Secretary the ability to exclude elites linked to the Russian state from entering the UK. High-profile sanctions packages have supported this, such as the largest sanctions package against Russia since 2022, earlier in 2025.

The two countries continued ongoing discussions on enhancing corporate transparency, including Australia’s recent announcement to move forward with the establishment of a public beneficial ownership register for unlisted companies.

Australia also shared further updates on the implementation of reforms to expand its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regime to additional high-risk services provided by gatekeeper professions. These reforms will bring Australia more in line with the international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in time for its upcoming mutual evaluation. Both countries exchanged information on reparations for FATF mutual evaluations and recognised the resource intensive nature of the process. 

Australia and the United Kingdom have a longstanding partnership in addressing illicit finance and related challenges. Following this successful dialogue, both governments remain committed to deepening cooperation at both policy and operational levels to advance effective responses and disrupt illicit financial activity. We look forward to reconvening in 2026 to continue this important work.