Australia has enacted legislation to ensure it meets its international obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1267 (and successor resolutions) and 1373 to freeze the assets of terrorists. The Government has passed laws to prohibit a person who is holding assets that are owned or controlled by a designated terrorist individual or entity from using or dealing with those assets (in other words, the person holding those assets must freeze them) and to prohibit any person from making any assets available to designated terrorist individuals or entities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a Consolidated List of all individuals and entities to which this terrorist asset freezing regime applies.

For additional information on Australia's international obligations, please see: Australia's terrorist asset freezing regime

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains close contacts with Australia's financial sector to ensure asset freezing arrangements take account of the sector's legitimate interests. Australian businesses, in particular exporters, should also be aware of their responsibility to ensure that they do not do business with an individual or entity listed on the Consolidated List.

In addition to the Consolidated List, the Australian Government also maintains information about groups that are proscribed as terrorist organisations under the Australian Criminal Code. If a group is listed as a 'terrorist organisation' it is an offence to:

• direct the activities of the organisation
• recruit persons to the organisation
• receive training from or provide training to the organisation
• receive funds from or make available funds to the organisation
• provide support or resources to the organisation