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Previous determinations

Information is available on the following previous ACC Board-approved determinations:

Amphetamines and Other Synthetic Drugs 1 and 2 Special Intelligence Operation

The Amphetamines and Other Synthetic Drugs (AOSD) determination was established in May 2003 to:

  • improve intelligence on the nature and extent of the threat from AOSD in Australia
  • scope the threat from AOSD in an international context, identifying trends, issues and law enforcement opportunities
  • reduce the impact of AOSD on the Australian community
  • deliver informed and timely advice to drive an effective national response to AOSD by the ACC and partner agencies.

The AOSD determination was replaced by an AOSD No. 2 determination in November 2005 to incorporate additional Commonwealth offences within the scope of the Board’s approval. The AOSD No.2 determination remained in force until December 2007 when it was replaced by the current Amphetamine Type Stimulants and New Synthetic Drugs determination.

Under this determination the ACC worked closely with industry to reduce the opportunity for the importation, production and trafficking in AOSD and the chemicals which can be used to support its production. The determination was successful in identifying a number of administrative and regulatory reforms necessary to harden the Australian environment to criminal exploitation.

Financial Crimes Special Investigation

The Financial Crimes determination was established in June 2008 to:

  • map and analyse the criminal economy to deliver crucial intelligence used to fight serious and organised crime, and
  • enhance the delivery of relevant intelligence to partner agencies to improve advanced financial data analysis and data integrity.

The determination:

  • used investigative and intelligence methodologies to identify the economic wealth and asset base of high risk organised crime groups
  • delivered financial intelligence to law enforcement and regulatory bodies to assist in the early intervention of serious and organised crime
  • contributed to whole of government policy, law reform and harm reduction strategies.

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Crime in Category One and Board-approved Category Two Airports/Crime in the Transport Sector Special Intelligence Operations

The ACC Board approved the conduct of two Special Intelligence Operations into crime in the transport sector. The Crime in Category One and Board-approved Category Two Airports special intelligence operation was approved in July 2005, after the Inter-governmental Committee on the ACC referred this issue to the Board for consideration. The focus of the determination was on developing intelligence on crime in nationally significant airports in order to enhance Australia’s border protection regimes and law enforcement responses to organised criminal penetration.

In December 2005 the Board agreed to expand the focus of the special intelligence operation to capture the broader transport sector. The expanded Crime in the Transport Sector special intelligence operation was in force between November 2005 and June 2008.

The Crime in the Transport Sector determination has performed a comprehensive analysis of the criminal environment in the air and maritime sectors, reported to the Board in June 2008 and to the Inter-governmental Committee on the ACC in November 2008.

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Card Skimming Special Intelligence Operation

In May 2003 the ACC Board approved the establishment of a Card Skimming Special Intelligence Operation.

The objectives included gathering intelligence on card skimming and developing an understanding of the international context and trends in card skimming.

The determination’s activities indicated that identity crime is a growing issue for Australian law enforcement. This determination was merged into the Serious and Organised Fraud Special Intelligence Operation in July 2005.

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Established Criminal Networks Special Investigation

The Board established the Established Criminal Networks (ECN) Special Investigation in May 2003 to:

  • complete National Crime Authority Freshnet investigations
  • improve intelligence on the nature and extent of the ECN threat to Australia
  • scope the threat from ECN in an international context, identifying trends, issues and law enforcement opportunities
  • reduce the impact of ECN activity on the Australian community
  • deliver informed and timely advice to drive an effective national response to ECN activity by the ACC and partner agencies.

The ACC established a strong practice of working closely with partner agencies in the conduct of ECN investigations, collecting intelligence which supports the development of key ACC intelligence products and refining a target development program.

Under the determination, the ACC developed a more detailed insight and enhanced understanding of the attributes, activities and span of a number of criminal networks within Australia that operated variously at regional, national and international levels.

The ECN was replaced by the High Risk Crime Groups determination in July 2005, with any incomplete work transferring to this determination for finalisation.

This transfer allowed for a greater emphasis to be placed on targeted activities to disrupt specified high risk crime groups.

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Firearms Trafficking Special Investigation

In May 2003 the ACC Board agreed to the establishment of a special investigation into firearms trafficking. The focus of activity was on assisting partner agencies and concluding carry-over National Crime Authority investigations. This determination remained in force until December 2005, at which time it was replaced by an Illicit Firearm Markets special investigation, with a greater focus on identifying nationally significant, high threat facilitators for the diversion of firearms from the licit to the illicit market.

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Fraud and Financial Crimes Special Investigation

The Board established a Fraud and Financial Crimes (FFC) Special Investigation in September 2007. The determination remained in force until June 2008.

FFC continued the work of the Serious and Organised Fraud determination, with the inclusion of intellectual property (IP) and identity crime (ID).

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Identity Crime Special Intelligence Operation

In May 2003 the ACC Board approved the establishment of an identity crime Special Intelligence Operation.

The objectives included better understanding the extent of identity crime in Australia and providing advice on a national response to identity crimes.

This determination was merged into the Serious and Organised Fraud special intelligence operation in July 2005.

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Illegal Maritime Importation and Movement Methodologies (IMIMM) Special Intelligence Operation

Shipping portThe Illegal Maritime Importation and Movement Methodologies determination provides intelligence on the nature and extent of illegal importation and movement methodologies. This information is intended to inform policy formation and legislative and regulatory reform.

The determination was approved by the ACC Board in November 2006 to:

  • obtain an enhanced understanding of how illicit commodities may be distributed through the maritime sector
  • identify current or emerging gaps and opportunities in Australia's legislative, regulatory, policy or law enforcement response to illegal maritime importations and movements
  • support Australian law enforcement investigative and target development activity through the use of coercive powers.

Illegal maritime importation and movement methodologies exploit the domestic fishing sector and the wider Australian maritime sector.

The determination has resulted in an enhanced understanding of the vulnerabilities of the fishing industry to criminal infiltration. This comes in an environment where the international illicit commodity market is rapidly evolving, and where there are changing source dynamics and emerging international trafficking routes and methodologies.

The determination findings will assist in informing and contributing to policy consideration and whole-of-government planning in this area in medium to long term.

This determination concluded on 31 December 2008.

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Illicit Firearm Markets Special Intelligence Operation

The Board established an Illicit Firearm Markets Special Intelligence Operation in December 2006, with objectives relating to better understanding the role of intermediaries who could divert firearms to the black market, assist in facilitating illicit sales of firearms or be involved in the theft, manufacture and assembly of illicit firearms.

The determination focussed on key sources of weaponry and identified a number of areas for administrative or law reform which would assist in establishing a nationally consistent set of rules for the monitoring of the ownership of firearms.

The determination was concluded by the Board in December 2008.

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Money Laundering and Tax Fraud (Midas) Special Investigation

The Money Laundering and Tax Fraud Special Investigation (Midas) was commenced by the Board in May 2003. The determination remained in force until June 2008, at which time it was replaced by the current Financial Crimes Special Investigation. 

The objectives under the Midas determination included working with partner agencies to:

  • improve intelligence on the nature and extent of the threat from money laundering and tax fraud on the Commonwealth in Australia
  • scope this threat in an international context, identifying trends, issues and law enforcement opportunities
  • reduce the impact of this threat on the Australian community
  • deliver informed and timely advice to drive an effective national response to the threat by the ACC and partner agencies.

The Midas Determination made a valuable contribution to the capabilities of the ACC and its partner agencies in relation to criminal intelligence collection and analysis associated with major money laundering and tax fraud. During its operation Midas developed a considerable knowledge base relating to:

  • the structures and networks utilised by organised crime to finance ongoing criminal enterprises
  • off-shore and domestic tax evasion and money laundering activities derived from criminal activities.

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People Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation Special Intelligence Operation

In December 2003 the Board approved the establishment of a Special Intelligence Operation into people trafficking for sexual exploitation. The determination remained in force until September 2006, at which time the ACC Board considered a final report and agreed that the determination's objectives had been met.

The Board's decision to establish a determination in this area allowed the ACC to use its coercive powers to:

  • add value to people trafficking for sexual exploitation investigations and prosecutions undertaken by partner agencies
  • scope the nature and extent of people trafficking for sexual exploitation nationally.

In consultation with partner agencies, the ACC identified intelligence gaps in law enforcement’s understanding of people trafficking for sexual exploitation activities in Australia and their geographical incidence.

The ACC advised the Board in relation to:

  • significant source countries for women trafficked into Australia and the profile of women trafficked into Australia to provide sexual services
  • the nature of the arrangements in place covering the women’s sex work
  • common entry points for trafficked women
  • the common complaints of trafficked women regarding working conditions.

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Private Security Industry - Special Intelligence Operation

The Private Security Industry Special Intelligence Operation was approved by the ACC Board in September 2007, and is providing a picture of the nature and extent of organised criminal infiltration in the security industry as well as the level of threat it poses.

The determination was established to:

  • increase the understanding of the nature and extent of organised criminal infiltration of the private security industry
  • identify options for early detection of illegal activities in the industry
  • identify emerging threats or current vulnerabilities to criminal infiltration and exploitation of the industry, and inform legal and regulatory reform and policy development
  • support national law enforcement investigative efforts into the security industry and serious and organised crime groups that are active in that industry, through the use of the ACC's coercive powers and operational capabilities.

Serious and Organised Fraud Special Intelligence Operation

The Board approved the establishment of a Serious and Organised Fraud (SOF) Special Intelligence Operation in July 2005 in response to an acknowledgement that the ACC’s focus on fraud, in particular identity fraud, would be better served under a single concentrated determination.

The SOF determination incorporated elements of work from the:

  • Midas determination on Money Laundering and Tax Fraud
  • Gordian Task Force on Money Laundering and Tax Fraud
  • Identity Crime Special Intelligence Operation
  • Vehicle Re-birthing Special Intelligence Operation
  • Separate targeted intelligence activities.

The SOF determination had the following objectives:

  • improve intelligence data bases on groups engaging in serious and organised fraud including manufacturing and using proof of identity documents, stealing identity related equipment and using corruption to infiltrate proof of identity agencies
  • focus on fraud related aspects of vehicle re-birthing intelligence
  • continue to identify law or administrative reforms to reduce opportunity for fraud.

SOF remained in force until September 2007, at which time its work was combined into a more focussed Financial Crimes Special Investigation.

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South East Asian Organised Crime Special Investigation

In May 2003 the ACC Board approved the establishment of a South East Asian Organised Crime (SEAOC) Special Investigation to scope the threat from South East Asian Organised Crime, reduce the potential threat of South East Asian Organised Crime, particularly in relation to importation and trafficking in illegal drugs, and informing partner agencies of possible response options.

In May 2004 this was merged with the Established Criminal Networks Special Investigation.

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Vehicle Rebirthing Special Intelligence Operation

The ACC Board approved the establishment of a Vehicle Rebirthing Special Intelligence Operation in May 2003. The determination remained in force until September 2005, at which time it was merged with the Identity Crime and Card Skimming Special Intelligence Operation and the Serious and Organised Fraud Intelligence Operation to form a broader Serious and Organised Fraud special intelligence operation.

The objectives under the vehicle rebirthing determination included working with partner agencies to:

  • improve intelligence on the nature and extent of motor vehicle rebirthing in Australia
  • scope the threat from motor vehicle rebirthing in an international context
  • reduce the impact of motor vehicle rebirthing on the Australian community
  • deliver informed and timely advice to drive an effective national response to motor vehicle rebirthing.

Under this determination the ACC assisted law enforcement agencies to address the issue through the collection and provision of intelligence from a range of sources, including that obtained through the use of coercive powers.

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