Outline

Overview

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

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Colin King, colin.king1@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 May 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Presentation	Group Presentation (20%) In-class group presentation	0%	Ongoing	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	(Alternative) Capstone Presentation (20%) Capstone presentation	0%	Ongoing	15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Feedback task (0%) Online quiz	0%	Week 02 Due date: 24 Apr 2026 at 23:59	Short Answer	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Annotated Bibliography (20%) Written submission	0%	Week 02 Due date: 24 Apr 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 01 May 2026	1000 word / 4 days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	(Alternative) Capstone Essay plan (10%) Essay title	0%	Week 04 Due date: 04 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 11 May 2026	20 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Memorandum (60%) Written report	0%	Week 05 Due date: 15 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 May 2026	5000 words / 11 days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	(Alternative) Capstone Essay (70%) The Capstone is an alternative assessment required to complete the LLM	0%	Week 05 Due date: 15 May 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 29 May 2026	7000 words / 11 days	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Early feedback task (0%): This unit includes an Early Feedback Task that is designed to provide students with timely insights into their understanding and engagement with the unit content. The Early Feedback Task in this unit is a Canvas Quiz (Short Answer format). The task will be available on Canvas from 20 April 9:00am and due on 24 April at 11:59pm (Sydney, Australia time). It will be tailored to reflect key concepts from the first and second day of classes. Students will be provided with immediate automated feedback upon completion of the task.

Group Presentation (20%):

Students must deliver an in-class group presentation on a given topic. This task is integral to the unit and is designed to test students’ research skills and understanding of the subject matter. When not presenting, students are expected to contribute to the Q&A.
Alongside the presentation, students are responsible for maintaining records of the work they have undertaken for the presentation. A template will be provided for tracking the time spent on preparing for the presentation.
Information on topics will be available on the Canvas page in advance (examples include: a case study of a money laundering scheme / investigation in my country; AML in a particular (named) sector). The use of slides is optional.

Annotated Bibliography (20%): Students will create an annotated bibliography (1,000 words maximum – no footnotes) listing and critiquing academic literature relating to a given topic. Students are expected to evaluate the literature to help other researchers studying money laundering law (e.g. by considering any ‘pros’ and ‘cons’ of the literature). For the avoidance of doubt, material in this assessment can be re-used in the research essay. Annotated bibliography topics will be assigned on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 9:00am (Sydney, Australia time) and the deadline for submission will be Friday, April 24, 2026, at 11:59pm (Sydney, Australia time). For the avoidance of doubt, material in this annotated bibliography can be re-used in the memorandum.

Memorandum (60%): Students will be asked to write a memo of 5000 words on an identified issue. Students will be asked to write a memo of 5000 words on an identified issue. The memo will be addressed to a senior official (eg Minister; DPP) on a contemporary aspect of money laundering / anti-money laundering law and policy. The assignment will be released on Monday, 4 May 2026 at 9:00am and due on Friday, 15 May 2026 at 11:59 pm (Sydney, Australia time).

(Alternative) Capstone (100%): This research-based task is an alternative assessment for students who wish to undertake a capstone to fulfil the requirements of the Master of Laws. Students must complete the three capstone components:

**NOTE, if you would like this unit to be assessed as a ‘capstone’ you MUST contact the unit coordinator in advance of the deadline (i.e. by the first day of class on 17 April 2026). No exceptions can be made to this deadline, for unit planning purposes.**

Capstone Presentation (20%): Students must deliver a presentation and facilitate discussion over 15 minutes of class time. This task is integral to the unit and is designed to test students’ understanding of the subject matter and their ability to think and respond using appropriate discourse on the spot - a crucial skill in law and policy. When not presenting, students are expected to contribute to the Q&A. Information on topics will be available on the Canvas page in advance (examples include: a case study of a money laundering scheme/investigation in my country; AML in a particular (named) sector). For the avoidance of doubt, material in this presentation can be re-used in the capstone essay.

Capstone Essay Plan (10%): It will be possible to choose your own essay focus – subject to the approval of the unit coordinator. Students must submit their essay title (max. 20 words) on May 4, 2026 by 11:59 pm (Sydney, Australia time). The essay focus will address your own topic, which must be approved by Prof. Colin King. Feedback from the in-class Capstone Presentation can feed into the finalisation of the Capstone Essay Plan.

Capstone Essay (70%): Students will need to independently identify and critically analyse a complex legal issue related to money laundering and proceeds of crime, demonstrate extensive research using primary and secondary sources, and construct a persuasive, well-structured argument within a 7,000-7,500 word limit, meeting the academic and professional standards expected at the postgraduate level. The capstone essay will be due on Friday, 15 May 2026 at 11:59pm (Sydney, Australia time).

Word limit penalty: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. Additionally, the Capstone essay will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for every 100 words, or part thereof, which is below 7000 words. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will include all footnotes and any bibliography (if required), and exclude acknowledgements of assistance from editors, automated writing tools or generative AI (where use is permitted).

Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer. A link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4.

Special consideration: Successful grants of Special Consideration may involve alternative tasks, as appropriate.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study. As the EFT is an early diagnostic tool, this task is not included in the final grade for the unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	• Completely answers the question. • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis. • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required). • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed. • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.
Distinction	75 - 84	• Completely answers the question. • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues. • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument. • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument. • Generally well expressed and free from errors. • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.
Credit	65 - 74	• Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question. • Contains no significant errors • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues. • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues. • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.
Pass	50 - 64	• Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument. • Contains some significant errors. • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues. • Offers descriptive summary of material relevant to the question. • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase. • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis. • Adequate expression. • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.
Fail	0 - 49	• Does not answer the question. • Contains significant or numerous errors. • Few or no identifiable arguments. • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant. • Lack of research or analysis. • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure. • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see Guide to Grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, without an approved extension, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment per 24 hours or part thereof, after the due time on the due date. Penalties for late submission will be applied strictly, subject to a 5 minute grace period.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Day 1 : How (not to) launder $10 million; ML typologies; Money laundering and corruption and Development of the international AML regime.	Seminar (6.5 hr)
Week 01	Day 2: National developments; AML and banks; Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions; Risk and de-risking and Student presentations.	Seminar (6.5 hr)
Week 03	Day 3: Confiscation of assets - Criminal and Civil; What should happen confiscated assets? and International cooperation.	Seminar (6.5 hr)
Week 03	Day 4: Effectiveness; student presentations and essay Q discussion. Completion of the student feedback survey for the unit of study.	Seminar (6.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

A. Moiseienko, Doing Business with Criminals: Between Exclusion and Surveillance (Cambridge University Press, 2025).

English et al, Federal Proceeds of Crime Law (Thoomson Reuters 2024).

Stessens, Money Laundering: A New International Law Enforcement Model (Cambridge UP, 2000).

King et al (eds), The Palgrave Handbook of Criminal and Terrorism Financing Law (Palgrave 2018).

van Duyne et al (eds), The Critical Handbook of Money Laundering (Palgrave 2018).

Unger et al (eds), Research Handbook on Money Laundering (Edward Elgar, 2013).

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The assessment has been changed since the unit unit was last taught.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS6368: Money Laundering: Law, Policy and Prac

Semester 1b, 2026 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links