Australia — crypto regulation

Status: partial · Last reviewed 2026-11-05

Two regulators share oversight: AUSTRAC (AML/CTF, with expanded VASP obligations under the 2024 reforms) and ASIC (financial services). The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act passed in Apr 2026 and brings digital asset and tokenised custody platforms under AFSL licensing from Apr 2027, with existing operators required to apply by 7 Oct 2027. ASIC ended its no-action relief on 30 Sep 2026 and is consulting on detailed platform standards (CP 392). Payment stablecoins are being handled separately under payments licensing reforms. AUSTRAC enforcement has intensified, with Cryptolink's 96 ATMs suspended and 45 registrations removed. Treasury released draft CARF crypto tax-reporting legislation in Oct 2026.

Legislation

• Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2026: Tax Information Reporting (CARF) — Exposure Draft (2026)
• 2026–27 Budget — CGT Discount Replaced by Inflation Indexation (2027)
• ASIC CP 392 — Digital Asset Law Reform Implementation: Proposed Standards and Guidance (2026)
• Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 (2026)
• AML/CTF Amendment Act 2024 (2024)
• ASIC Updated Digital Asset Guidance (INFO 230) (2025)
• AUSTRAC DCE Registration Regime (2018)