Reforms to Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime were passed into legislation on 10 December 2024, bringing Australia in line with international requirements.

Practices offering at least one of these new designated services must enrol as a reporting entity with AUSTRAC, the regulator. Enrolment opens from 31 March 2026, and new reporting entities must be compliant by 1 July 2026.

Key obligations include having an AML/CTF program, nominating an AML/CTF compliance officer, and training staff to implement the program, including identifying AML/CTF risks.

This page provides links to the information and resources you need to help you prepare for participating in the AML/CTF regime. It will be updated as new information and resources become available.

What are the nine professional services?

The services summarized below, commonly provided by members in public practice, will be designated under AML/CTF regime. For full details, check out the Q&A.

1. assisting a person in the planning or execution of a transaction to sell, buy or otherwise transfer real estate
2. assisting a person in the planning or execution of a transaction to sell, buy or otherwise transfer a body corporate or legal arrangement
3. receiving, holding and controlling (including disbursing) or managing a person’s: (a) money; or (b) accounts; or (c) securities and securities accounts; or (d) virtual assets; or (e) other property
4. assisting a person in organising, planning or executing a transaction for equity or debt financing relating to: (a) a body corporate or (b) a legal arrangement
5. selling or transferring a shelf company
6. assisting a person to plan or execute the creation or restructuring of: (a) a body corporate or (b) a legal arrangement
7. acting as, or arranging for another person to act as, any of the following on behalf of a person: (a) a director or secretary of a company; (b) a power of attorney of a body corporate or legal arrangement; (c) a partner in a partnership; (d) a trustee of an express trust; (e) a position in any other legal arrangement that is functionally equivalent to a position mentioned in any of the above paragraphs
8. acting as, or arranging for another person to act as, a nominee shareholder of a body corporate or legal arrangement, on behalf of a person
9. providing a registered office address or principal place of business address of a body corporate or legal arrangement

What is the timeline for the new AML/CTF requirements in Australia?

Current consultations and submissions

We are continuously advocating on behalf of members on AML/CTF and other matters and you can read our submissions here. If you're interested in supporting us in making a submission, contact [email protected].

In addition to the formal submissions, CA ANZ is engaged through:

• AUSTRAC industry forums are held bi-monthly, bringing together representatives from each of the new sectors covered under the reforms. During these forums, we discuss the impacts across sectors and identify the tools and resources our members will need.
• AUSTRAC Rules and Guidance Working Groups include the Accounting and Professional Services Sector working group which meets bi-monthly with the accounting, real estate and legal sectors to discuss compliance obligations, identify areas where additional information would be useful and determine where it should be included in core guidance or sector specific guidance.
• A working group of members to support input into consultations. 
• We are also assessing the implications and evaluating tools and apps which may assist our members.

Previous submissions

2024 November Changes to AUSTRAC guidance on using alternate forms of ID
2024 October Senate inquiry into the AML/CTF amendment Bill
2024 July Survey of members on the expected impact of AML/CTF reforms
2024 June Consultation on reforms, Round 2
2023 June Consultation on reforms, Round 1
2021 September Inquiry into the effectiveness of Australia’s AML/CTF regime