Flag

Cocos (Keeling) Islands Country Summary

Sanctions

Lower Concern

FATF AML Deficient List

Lower Concern

Terrorism

Lower Concern

Corruption

Lower Concern

US State ML Assessment

Medium Concern

Criminal Markets (GI Index)

Medium Concern

EU Tax Blacklist

Lower Concern

Offshore Finance Center

Lower Concern

Please note that although the below Summary will give a general outline of the AML risks associated with the jurisdiction, if you are a Regulated entity then you may need to demonstrate that your Jurisdictional AML risk assessment has included a full assessment of the risk elements that have been identified as underpinning overall Country AML risk. To satisfy these requirements, we would recommend that you use our Subscription area.

If you would like a demo of our Subscription area, please reserve a day/time that suits you best using this link, or you may Contact Us for further information.

Anti Money Laundering

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a territory of Australia. Information for Australia may be included below:

FATF Status

Australia is not on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Australia was undertaken in 2024. According to that Evaluation, Australia was deemed Compliant for 18 and Largely Compliant for 12 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 1 and Substantially Effective for 4 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Sanctions

There are no international sanctions currently in force against this country

Criminality

Rating

0 (bad) - 100 (good)
Transparency International Corruption Index 77
World Bank: Control of Corruption Percentile Rank 96

Australia has a robust legal framework to combat corruption, with transparent government procurement processes and active participation in international anti-corruption initiatives. The country enforces strict laws against bribery of foreign officials, with significant penalties for violations, and various agencies work to ensure integrity in public service. Despite challenges such as human trafficking and organized crime, Australia maintains a strong governance structure and support systems for victims.

Economy

The economy of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands is primarily based on copra production and tourism, with a growing focus on water-based activities. The islands rely heavily on imports from Australia for food and necessities, while local employment is supported by the Cocos Islands Cooperative Society Ltd. in the construction and tourism sectors.

The investment climate in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands benefits from its status as an Australian external territory, offering stability and governance. However, potential investors may face challenges due to the limited size of the local market and a heavy reliance on imports. Recent infrastructure improvements, particularly to the airstrip, along with the Australian government's commitment to enhancing local services, suggest a growing interest in the islands' strategic development.

Floating Section Image

Buy Full Cocos (Keeling) Islands Report


$125 one time payment
The full report features:
  • Risk Analysis
  • Corruption
  • Economy
  • Sanctions
  • Narcotics
  • Executive Summaries
  • Investment Climates
  • FATF Status
  • Compliance
  • Key Findings
Buy Full Report