The first internationally conducted course on financial analysis developed by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has been held in Brunei.
The major subjects of the Financial Intelligence Analyst Course (FIAC) were terrorism financing and the illegal movement of money through the Indo-Pacific.
According to the Chief Executive of AUSTRAC, Nicole Rose (pictured) the Centre developed the FIAC in early 2017 to better equip financial intelligence analysts from across the region so they can work collectively to prevent, detect and disrupt financial crime.
Ms Rose said the FIAC was the first formal financial intelligence analysis course available in the region.
“The expansion of the FIAC to our regional partners will have a significant impact and will play an important role in protecting Australia’s financial system from criminal exploitation,” Ms Rose said.
“Financial crime is a global issue and terrorists and organised criminal syndicates are using increasingly sophisticated methods to move money around the world.”
She said building the capability of Australia’s regional partners to combat this threat could only have benefits for this country.
“The FIAC is taught by law enforcement specialists, and participants expand their skills by exploring world leading financial intelligence methodologies, techniques and strategies in detail,” Ms Rose said.
“AUSTRAC is upskilling already competent financial intelligence analysts and improving our collective ability to fight financial crime domestically and internationally.”
She said 20 participants attended the first course in Brunei from all 10 ASEAN country Financial Intelligence Units.
