Brendan Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of AUSTRAC

Brendan is the Chief Executive Officer of AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence unit and anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regulator. Appointed in January 2024, Brendan leads AUSTRAC’s work to protect Australia’s financial system from criminal abuse and to generate actionable intelligence for law enforcement and national security agencies.

A Wiradjuri man, Brendan brings deep leadership experience across criminal and civil justice systems, including as former CEO of Legal Aid NSW and Deputy Secretary in the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. His strong understanding of legal practice, particularly in the small-firm sector, informs AUSTRAC’s approach to supporting the legal profession through AML reforms.

He represents AUSTRAC on several national bodies including the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce CEO Board and the Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Forum.

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