What are the Australian Sanctions Legislation Amendment (ASLA) Reforms?
The Australian Government is progressing reforms to Australia's sanctions laws. This is the largest overhaul to the sanctions legislative framework since the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 commenced.
Through a comprehensive suite of legislative amendments, the ASLA reforms will:
- streamline and modernise Australia's sanctions laws
- create fit-for-purpose and consistent legislation that improves usability and helps Australians to clearly understand their obligations
- ensure the Australian Government can act swiftly and effectively in a rapidly changing geostrategic environment.
The reforms will be implemented through three Bills (the ASLA Bills) and two pieces of subordinate legislation.
- The Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2026 is the cornerstone of the reforms and proposes repealing and replacing the Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 with a new Autonomous Sanctions Act.
- The Autonomous Sanctions (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2026 will make technical amendments to other legislation and ensure existing sanctions and permits continue.
- The Sanctions and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 will amend the Customs Act 1901 and the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 for consistency with the new Autonomous Sanctions Act.
- The Autonomous Sanctions Rules will replace aspects of the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations 2011 and consolidate all legislative instruments listing sanctions in one place.
- The Sanctions Amendment Regulations will contain technical amendments to other subordinate legislation and minor amendments to regulations made under the Charter of the United Nations Act 1945.
Most of the proposed reforms are structural in nature and aimed at creating more user-friendly legislation that is consistent with current Commonwealth legislative practices. However, given the comprehensive nature of the reforms, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking feedback from the public on a point-in-time exposure draft of the cornerstone Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2026.
Public consultation on the exposure draft legislation
Commencing Monday 7 September 2026, the public consultation period will run for four weeks until Friday 2 October 2026.
The Australian Government is seeking feedback on an exposure draft of the Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2026 as this contains the most significant reforms. Work to draft other elements of the reforms is continuing in parallel. We will consider further changes based on public submissions.
To support public understanding, and inform any possible submissions, the department has prepared a companion Guide to the ASLA reforms. The Guide outlines the policy intent of key elements of the Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2026, and explains the proposed policy intent for the other two Bills and subordinate legislation.
The Guide should be read in conjunction with the exposure draft legislation. The exposure draft legislation and the Guide can be accessed below.
- Exposure Draft - Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2026 [PDF 622 KB]
- Guide to the ASLA Reforms [DOCX 375 KB]
- Guide to the ASLA Reforms [PDF 706 KB]
Open town halls on the reforms
To help interested stakeholders understand the reforms, and to present an opportunity to ask questions, the department will be holding two open town hall information sessions on the ASLA reforms.
If you would like to attend, register for your preferred town hall:
