In all its activities ASIC works closely with a range of international organisations, foreign regulators and law enforcement agencies. ASIC makes and receives international requests in relation to investigations, compliance and surveillance, policy research, delegations and licensing/due diligence and general referrals. The International Cooperation Requests team manages these operational requests on behalf of ASIC.

Many international organisations and foreign regulators make requests for assistance under international cooperation agreements including the IOSCO Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding and other bilateral Memoranda of Understanding. Where authorised ASIC uses the Mutual Assistance In Business Regulation Act 1992 to exercise compulsory powers to obtain documents, information or testimony on behalf of foreign regulators.

In the 2011–2012 financial year ASIC dealt with 429 requests from foreign regulators.

ASIC publications, describing ASIC policies and actions, including ASIC Annual Reports and regulatory documents are available on the ASIC website.

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) concerning international cooperation

ASIC is a signatory to the IOSCO Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding, IOSCO Enhanced Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Consultation and Cooperation and the Exchange of Information and IOSCO Administrative Arrangement as well as numerous MOUs and other international agreements. These documents outline the relationship between the signing parties with regard to mutual assistance and the exchange of information for the purpose of enforcing and regulating with the respective laws and regulations of the signing authorities.

MOUs and other international agreements to which ASIC is a signatory

More about international activities