Foreign bribery
Public consultation is now open for the statutory review of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Foreign Bribery) Act 2024.
The review will examine the operation and effectiveness of the amendments made by the Act. It will also consider whether further reforms are necessary or desirable to improve the operation or enforcement of Australia’s foreign bribery and related offences.
The consultation closes on 10 September 2026.
The Australian Government has a zero tolerance approach to foreign bribery and other forms of corruption.
Foreign bribery is bribery of a foreign public official. It is a serious criminal offence that carries heavy penalties.
Australia works actively with foreign governments to stamp out bribery.
Foreign bribery has many harmful effects. It harms Australia’s trade and investment interests and can inhibit the growth of Australian businesses.
It also corrodes good governance and contributes to social and economic inequality in local communities where it occurs.
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.
In this section...
Understand Australia’s foreign bribery offences and the penalties that apply.
The Australian Government recommends that individuals and companies make every effort to resist making facilitation payments. Find out about the corrosive effects of small facilitation payments.
Read more about the steps a corporation can take to prevent an associate from bribing foreign public officials.
Australia takes enforcement of the foreign bribery offence seriously. Find out about concluded foreign bribery cases in Australia.
Report suspected foreign bribery.
Access resources relating to foreign bribery, including resources to assist corporations to implement an effective anti-bribery compliance program.
Find out which Australian Government agencies are responsible for responding to foreign bribery.
Find out about Australia’s international foreign bribery obligations and commitments and our work with the OECD.
Contact details
To find out more about the offence of foreign bribery email us at foreign.bribery@ag.gov.au
Please note: we do not provide legal advice on the application of offence provisions or the legality of payments in a particular situation but can assist with general information about the offence.