News

The Australian Government has updated its United Nations sanctions framework in relation to Iran.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has imposed sanctions in relation to Haiti. The sanctions were initially imposed in 2022 in the context of high levels of gang violence and other criminal activities undermining the peace, stability and security of Haiti and its region.

Australia shares the UK’s concern with the increasing scale and severity of malicious cyber activity, including by information security companies linked to the Chinese government.

The Australian Government has grave concerns about the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Australia condemns widespread human rights abuses and violations by the Myanmar military regime, and remains deeply concerned by its ongoing attacks against civilians including airstrikes.

The Australian Government is deeply concerned by the escalation of tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border and reports of civilian and military casualties.

Australia introduced an autonomous sanctions framework in relation to Afghanistan in December 2025.

The Afghanistan framework enables the Foreign Minister to designate a person or entity for targeted financial sanctions, and declare persons for travel bans, if the Minister is satisfied they meet the Afghanistan criteria in item 1A of regulation 6 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has by legislative instrument designated 45 vessels as sanctioned vessels for Russia (‘listed’) in accordance with regulation 8 of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 (the Regulations).

In accordance with regulation 6A(2) of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations (the Regulations), the Minister for Foreign Affairs (the Minister) has designated two persons and two entities for targeted financial sanctions and declared these two persons for travel bans (together, 'listed') on the basis of their involvement in significant cyber incidents.

The Australian Government has today announced funding of $143million to support non-government organisations to improve the lives of communities in more than 50 countries.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is seeking views from stakeholders to inform the General Review of ChAFTA. We are interested in hearing from stakeholders regarding the operation, implementation and impact of ChAFTA since its entry into force, and areas for further improvement or expansion, including, but not limited to, consideration of deepening liberalisation and further expansion of market access.