Anti-corruption and bribery

The Australian Government supports ethical business practices, and the prosecution of those who engage in illegal practices. This helps to improve Australia's investment opportunities overseas and is an important aspect of Australia's global reputation.

The bribery of foreign public officials, whether committed in Australia or by Australians overseas, undermines the reputation of all Australian businesses and impacts negatively on business and government relations.

There are consequences for Australians and Australian companies that engage in corrupt activities while overseas. Australian companies and individuals that bribe officials in foreign countries can be prosecuted both under Australian law and under the laws of foreign countries.

Foreign bribery offences

Bribing, or attempting to bribe, a foreign public official is a serious crime, subject to severe penalties. Australian companies or individuals that bribe an official in a foreign country can be prosecuted under Australian law and the laws of foreign countries.

Under Australian law, it is an offence to bribe a foreign public official even if a bribe may be seen to be customary, necessary or required in the situation, and even if there is official tolerance of the bribe.

The maximum penalty for an individual is 10 years imprisonment and/or a fine of 10,000 penalty units (that is, $1.1 million). For a body corporate, the maximum penalty is the greater of the following three amounts: 100,000 penalty units ($11 million); 3 times the value of the benefits obtained (if calculable); or 10% of the previous 12 month's turnover of the company concerned.

Companies should be aware that they may be liable for the actions of their employees and agents under anti-foreign bribery laws. This may include circumstances in which the bribery of foreign public officials was encouraged or tolerated or where there was a failure to create and maintain a corporate culture that required compliance with anti-foreign bribery laws.

These penalties reflect the serious nature of bribery and the detrimental effect it has on Australia's trade and reputation, as well as international governance.

More information

The Attorney-General's Department provides further information on the offence of foreign bribery, including a Foreign Bribery Information and Awareness Pack.

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