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Unit of study_
LAWS6368: Money Laundering: Law, Policy and Prac
2026 unit information
This unit offers a critical and applied exploration of anti-money laundering (AML) and asset confiscation (proceeds of crime) powers. We will examine the legal, financial, and strategic frameworks that shape global efforts to combat financially motivated crime—and evaluate their effectiveness in real-world contexts. We will critically engage with key topics, including: the development of international AML regimes; methods and typologies of money laundering across sectors; suspicious activity reporting and compliance strategies; risk-based approaches and the emerging politics of de-risking; and asset recovery and legal frameworks for confiscation. Cutting-edge themes are integrated throughout, such as: AI-powered transaction monitoring and its impact on detection; RegTech innovations; cryptocurrency risks and regulation in the digital asset space; beneficial ownership transparency and global data sharing; balancing privacy rights with AML obligations under data protection laws; and ESG-related laundering risks, including trafficking and environmental crime. Case studies will bring these themes to life, encouraging applied learning and strategic thinking. Whether you're shaping policy, managing compliance, advising institutions – or even just thinking about a future career in (anti-)financial crime - this unit provides the insights and tools needed to respond to today’s—and tomorrow’s—money laundering challenges. No prior AML knowledge is required. Refer to the Sydney Law School timetable - https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/4533/pages/postgraduate-lecture-timetable
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney Law School
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Law |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. describe the historical developments, modern criminal justice policy, and the contexts in which money laundering takes place.
- LO2. categorise different aspects of money laundering by the theoretical and practical challenges in anti-money laundering regulation.
- LO3. summarise contemporary money laundering case-studies, identify relevant issues and report on the ethical challenges (including ethical decision-making processes) faced by law enforcement and compliance officials.
- LO4. research and critically evaluate national law(s) and practice in the context of the development of global anti-money laundering regulation.
- LO5. apply research and academic writing skills to identify and analyse the potential for anti-money laundering law reform.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 1b 2026
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Block mode | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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There are no availabilities for previous years.
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.