This report is the fifth iteration in a series of attempts to calculate the costs of serious and organised crime to Australia. Serious and organised crime was estimated to cost Australia between $35.5b and $82.3b in 2023–24. This estimate captures the direct and consequential costs of serious and organised crime in Australia (up to $58.9b), as well as the indirect costs of preventing and responding to serious and organised crime incurred by government entities, businesses and individuals (up to $23.4b). The figures represent the substantial and pervasive economic impact of serious and organised crime on Australia.

Key findings

• The upper estimate for 2023–24 ($82.3b)is up from $68.7b in 2022–23.
• Of the total direct costs attributable to serious and organised crime ($47.9b), illicit drugs were the most costly crime type, accounting for 39.5% of these direct costs ($19.0b), followed by organised financial crime ($13.2b) and other illicit commodities ($8.6b), which accounted for 27.6 percent and 18% of direct costs, respectively.
• The most costly illicit commodity after drugs was illicit tobacco, which cost Australia $4.0b in 2023–24, a significant increase on previous years.