Australia Drafts Law to Share Crypto Tax Data Under OECD Rules
Australia moves closer to crypto tax transparency rules
Australia has released draft legislation that would allow the country to automatically share crypto tax information with other nations. The move is part of a global effort to reduce tax evasion involving digital assets.
The bill, formally titled the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2026: Tax information reporting, was published by the Australian Treasury. It is open for public comment until October 28.
If passed, the law would implement the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) into Australian legislation. CARF is an international standard that requires crypto service providers to report user transaction data to tax authorities, which then share that information across borders.
What the bill would do
- Establish a framework for the automatic exchange of crypto tax information between countries.
- Implement the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) in Australian law.
- Create a domestic crypto reporting regime, meaning Australian tax authorities would also collect and track crypto data domestically.
Australia's timeline for CARF adoption
Australia first signaled its intention to adopt CARF in November 2023. It then consulted on its proposed approach in late 2024. In its 2025–26 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the government formally announced plans to implement both CARF and a domestic crypto reporting regime.
International exchanges of crypto tax information under the new system are expected to begin in 2028.
Australia is one of 77 jurisdictions that have committed to adopting CARF.
Where CARF came from
The OECD approved the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework in August 2022. The framework was designed to address growing concerns that the rise of crypto assets was being used to evade taxes across borders. By standardizing how crypto transaction data is reported and shared, member countries aim to close loopholes that previously made it difficult for tax authorities to track digital asset activity.
What is still unclear
The bill is currently in draft form and open for public comment. It has not yet been passed into law, and details about how the reporting rules will affect individual crypto users or specific types of transactions have not been disclosed in the available sources.
Why this matters
For Australians who trade or hold crypto, the new rules mean that information about their digital asset activity could be shared with tax authorities in other countries. For the broader crypto industry, Australia's move signals continued alignment with global tax transparency standards, which could influence how crypto platforms operate in the country and shape expectations for future regulation.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.