Dear Members,
As we return from the festive season, I hope you had the opportunity to rest, reset and spend meaningful time with those important to you.
The start of a new year always brings a renewed sense of energy and purpose, and 2026 is already shaping up to be a busy and impactful year for the ACI community. February marks our first full month back together, and it’s one we’re approaching with clarity and confidence.
The ACI will be delivering a strong program of activity designed to support our members as they navigate ever-changing compliance environments. From CPD-accredited events to practical discussions and expert insights, our focus remains on delivering content that is timely, relevant, and grounded in real-world application.
Education and professional development continue to sit at the heart of ACI. Our training and education offerings span nationally recognised qualifications, and professional skill sets that support compliance professionals at every stage of their career. Whether you are formalising your expertise, building specialist capability or responding to regulatory change, our programs are designed to deliver practical skills, professional confidence and long-term value, not just theory.
Further, our Compliance and Risk Management 101 online sessions are designed to give professionals, who are new to compliance roles, clear and practical training of compliance and risk responsibilities. As accountability expectations grow, this course helps build confidence and capability. Our next online session runs 24–25 February. You can learn more about this session here.
Looking ahead, I am pleased to share our Financial Crimes Week will take place 16–20 March 2026. This hybrid event marks the evolution of our Financial Crimes Congress and will bring together regulators and senior leaders across financial crime, AML/CTF, compliance, risk and regulation.
The week will commence with an in-person conference in Sydney, followed by a series of four expert-led virtual sessions delivered across the week, offering greater flexibility and broader access for our community. Further details and registrations will be available shortly. The Australian Compliance Institute would like to thank Corrs Chambers Westgarth and the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals (SOCAP) for their support of this event.
If you’re considering a role change or planning your next career move in 2026, explore the ACI’s Careers Portal, a one-stop resource to support your professional journey. Members receive discounted rates when listing job opportunities.
Lastly, A reminder that the ACI’s Career Pathways for Compliance Professionals is open for public consultation. We invite members, educators, employers and regulators to help shape the next stage of the framework.
I look forward to connecting with many of you throughout February and the year ahead.
Warm regards,
Joanne Phillips
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Compliance Institute