Getting Funds To, From, or For a Terrorist Organisation

Author: Bill Doogue

Practice area: commonwealth offences

Bill is a founding Director of Doogue + George, ranked by Doyle's Guide as a Preeminent Criminal Defence Lawyer in Victoria (2026) and an LIV Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 1998 with over 30 years of experience in complex criminal and corporate matters. His depth of experience in this area means clients receive accurate, considered advice.

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Bill authored this content and last revised it for accuracy on 6 August 2026.

What is the offence of Getting Funds to, from or for a Terrorist Organisation?

This offence under section 102.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 criminalises dealings with money or assets connected to a terrorist organisation. It focuses on the act of receiving, providing, or collecting funds where the accused has the required mental state about the organisation’s status as a terrorist organisation, rather than on how the funds are ultimately used.

Key points

Elements: Receiving, making available, or collecting funds with knowledge or recklessness that the organisation is a terrorist organisation
Type of conduct: Financial dealings with a terrorist organisation, directly or indirectly
Court: Supreme Court

The maximum penalty for Getting Funds to, from or for a Terrorist Organisation is 25 years’ imprisonment where the offence is committed intentionally, or 15 years’ imprisonment where the conduct is reckless.

Common defences may include lack of intention, absence of knowledge or recklessness about the organisation’s status, or that the alleged financial conduct did not occur.

Have you been accused of this offence? This is an extremely serious allegation and must be given priority.

Police Interview

Have police asked to speak to you about an allegation of funding a terrorist organisation or getting funds from a terrorist organisation? This is a serious allegation and it is crucial that you understand what you are walking into. Understanding your rights and obligations when being questioned by police is vital to protecting yourself and establishing a defence at this early stage in your case. Normally in cases such as this, the police will execute a search warrant on your home or place of employment and gather material, they think assists their case against you.

It is likely police have already decided to charge you, and will be hoping you will make admissions to funding or receiving funds from a terrorist organisation. Getting advice from a lawyer who has attended police interviews will help you to feel comfortable within your rights if you choose to make a no comment interview. We will also help you to understand how the interview will proceed and what questions you will be asked. Knowing what is coming will help you to focus on your responses.

You should contact our office and set up a conference before you attend a police interview. We recommend considering having one of our lawyers attend the interview with you. Our lawyers ensure Police conduct the process in a proper manner and comply with all relevant procedures.

Pleading Not Guilty

We have lawyers who are experienced in representing people charged with terrorism related offences. At Doogue + George Defence Lawyers we carefully analyse the evidence compiled by police, obtain detailed instructions from you and provide you with advice about your best strategy to defend against this charge.

Pleading Guilty

If you decide to plead guilty to funding or receiving funds from a terrorist organization, Doogue + George Defence Lawyers are best placed to ensure you receive the most favourable outcome. We will negotiate with prosecution, amend the charges and facts if possible, and assist you in preparing for your plea hearing by gathering relevant and useful materials, such as references and reports. We are confident in our ability to conduct a persuasive plea and secure the best possible outcome in the circumstances. Funding or receiving funds from a terrorist organisation is an extremely serious allegation with serious consequences.

We will advise you of all the things you need to know so you are properly informed.

Which court will the case be heard in?

The offence of getting funds to, from, or for a terrorist organisation is a very serious offence which is heard in the Supreme Court.

What is the legal definition of Getting Funds to, from or for a Terrorist Organisation?

The Prosecution must show that the accused either intentionally received funds from, or made funds available to, an organisation that is a terrorist organisation, whether directly or indirectly. It is also an offence if the accused collected funds for, or on behalf of, an organisation that is a terrorist organisation. The accused must have had the knowledge that the organisation was a terrorist organisation or have been reckless as to whether the organisation was a terrorist organisation.

Did you give money to a Terrorist Organisation?

Examples

You raise funds to support the campaign of a Terrorist Organisation.
You make a donation to a Terrorist Organisation.

Legislation

The section that covers this offence is section 102.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Defences

You did not receive funds from a Terrorist Organisation.
You did not provide or collect funds from a Terrorist Organisation.
You did not do any of the above intentionally.
You had no way of knowing the money was coming from or going to a Terrorist Organisation.
You are a lawyer and received funds from a Terrorist Organisation as payment for legal services.

There are other possible defences, depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged offending. Each matter is unique and requires an individual approach and strategy.

Questions in cases like this

Can they prove that your received or provided funds?
Can they prove you knew the organisation was a Terrorist Organisation?

Maximum penalty for section 102.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995

The maximum penalty for intending to commit the offence of Getting Funds to, from or for a Terrorist Organisation (s102.6 of the Criminal Code Act 1995) is imprisonment for 25 years. And the maximum penalty for being reckless as to committing this offence is imprisonment for 15 years.

What can you be sentenced to for this charge?

As this is considered a very serious offence, if you are found guilty you are likely to get a prison sentence.

Other Important Resources

FAQ about Getting Funds to, from or for a Terrorist Organisation

What conduct is criminalised under getting funds to, from or for a terrorist organisation?

The offence covers receiving funds from a terrorist organisation, making funds available to a terrorist organisation, or collecting funds for or on behalf of a terrorist organisation. The conduct can occur directly or indirectly and does not depend on whether the funds are ultimately used to carry out a terrorist act.

Does the prosecution have to prove the accused knew the organisation was a terrorist organisation?

The prosecution must establish that the accused either knew the organisation was a terrorist organisation or was reckless as to that fact. This mental element is central to the offence and distinguishes intentional offending from reckless conduct, which carries a different maximum penalty.

Is it an offence to raise or donate money linked to a terrorist organisation?

Raising funds for a terrorist organisation or making a donation to such an organisation can fall within this offence. The key issue is whether the conduct involved collecting or providing funds and whether the accused had the required knowledge or recklessness about the organisation’s status.

What is the difference between intentional and reckless offending under this charge?

Intentional offending involves deliberately engaging in the prohibited financial conduct knowing the organisation is a terrorist organisation. Reckless offending involves engaging in that conduct while being aware of a substantial risk that the organisation is a terrorist organisation and proceeding regardless. Each carries a different maximum penalty.

Can receiving money ever be lawful in this context?

The offence focuses on whether the funds were received from a terrorist organisation and the accused’s state of mind. One issue identified is whether funds were received as payment for legal services, which may be relevant to whether the offence is made out in a particular case.

Where are charges for this offence dealt with?

This is treated as a very serious criminal offence and is dealt with in the Supreme Court. The seriousness reflects the nature of terrorism-related offending and the significant maximum penalties that apply.

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Getting Funds to, from or for a Terrorist Organisation

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