Is your business ready for the upcoming AML changes?
- @realty Marketing
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
New AML Laws Are Coming to Real Estate. Here's What You Need to Know.
The Australian real estate industry is preparing for one of the most significant regulatory changes in decades, with Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) obligations set to apply to real estate professionals from July 2026.
For many agency owners, principals, and sales agents, the upcoming reforms represent a major shift in how property transactions are conducted, documented, and monitored.
While the legislation aims to strengthen Australia's financial system and combat criminal activity, many real estate professionals are asking the same question:
How do we become compliant without creating more administration, complexity, and cost?
Why Are AML Laws Being Extended to Real Estate?
Property has long been recognised globally as a potential avenue for money laundering activities. To address this risk, the Australian Government is expanding AML/CTF regulations to include professions such as real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, and trust service providers under the Tranche 2 reforms. Businesses providing designated services will need to implement measures to prevent financial crime and comply with new AML/CTF obligations.
From July 2026, real estate agencies will be required to implement processes that allow them to identify and verify clients, assess risk, maintain records, and ensure compliance with AML obligations. Real estate professionals will also be required to enrol with AUSTRAC and maintain ongoing compliance programs.
The Challenges Agencies Are Facing
Many agencies are only beginning to understand the scope of the upcoming requirements.
Common concerns include:
How to verify the identity of buyers and sellers
Managing customer due diligence requirements
Maintaining compliance registers and records
Meeting AUSTRAC reporting obligations
Training staff on new regulatory requirements
Preparing for audits and ongoing compliance reviews
Creating compliant workflows without slowing down transactions
For independent agencies and boutique operators, these challenges can feel particularly daunting when resources and administration support are already stretched.
Compliance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated
The good news is that agencies don't have to navigate these changes alone.
One of the biggest trends emerging across regulated industries is the use of reporting groups and centralised compliance models, where AML responsibilities are managed by a dedicated compliance team rather than individual agents or agencies. This approach can streamline compliance processes, provide expert oversight, and reduce the administrative burden on business owners.
Introducing the @realty Reporting Group
To help real estate professionals prepare for the upcoming AML reforms, @realty has developed the @realty Reporting Group.
Rather than requiring agents and agency owners to become AML experts overnight, the @realty Reporting Group is designed to handle the complex compliance requirements on behalf of its members.
This includes:
✅ Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
✅ AUSTRAC Reporting
✅ Compliance Registers
✅ AML Audits
✅ Staff Training
✅ Ongoing Compliance Support
AUSTRAC guidance makes it clear that businesses must provide AML training, maintain records, monitor compliance, and ensure staff understand their obligations. These requirements can quickly become overwhelming for busy real estate professionals.
The @realty Reporting Group allows agents to focus on what they do best—listing, marketing, negotiating, and selling property—while experienced compliance professionals manage the regulatory requirements behind the scenes.
Why Early Preparation Matters
Although July 2026 may seem some time away, industry experts continue to encourage agencies to begin preparing now.
Early preparation provides businesses with time to:
Understand their obligations
Train staff effectively
Establish compliant workflows
Conduct customer due diligence processes
Prepare reporting procedures
Reduce the risk of non-compliance
Businesses that leave compliance until the final months before implementation may find themselves rushing to build systems and processes under significant pressure.
The Future of Real Estate Compliance
AML compliance is set to become a permanent part of the Australian real estate landscape.
While the changes may initially appear complex, agencies that embrace the right systems, support, and expertise will be well positioned to meet their obligations while continuing to grow their business.
For many agents, the smartest solution may not be managing AML compliance themselves—but partnering with a reporting group that can do it for them.
Find Out More
If you'd like to learn how the @realty Reporting Group can manage your customer due diligence, AUSTRAC reporting, audits, training, and compliance registers, visit:
Stay focused on selling property while we handle the compliance.
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