The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) has published anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) program starter kits to help small businesses in newly regulated sectors build AML/CTF programs, meet upcoming obligations under the AML/CTF Act and manage money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risk with lower time and cost of compliance. From 1 July 2026, businesses providing certain designated services commonly offered by lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, conveyancers and jewellers will come within the AML/CTF Act. The kits provide step-by-step actions and practical tools for developing an AML/CTF program that can scale to a business’s size and customer risk profile, and were developed with industry peak bodies and small businesses; AUSTRAC characterised them as an unprecedented level of practical support by an AML regulator. The guidance also flags higher-risk situations such as real estate purchases with large amounts of physical currency, unexplained unusual behaviour and the use of complex legal structures, while noting that for many low to medium risk individual customers compliance may generally be limited to three forms. AUSTRAC indicated the kits will be updated as obligations, risks and industry practices change, and encouraged firms that will be regulated to access the kits and start building their programs.
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) 2026-01-30
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre releases AML/CTF program starter kits for newly regulated sectors ahead of 1 July obligations
AUSTRAC has released AML/CTF program starter kits to help small businesses in newly regulated sectors, like legal and real estate services, meet obligations under the AML/CTF Act from 1 July 2026. Developed with industry bodies, these kits offer practical tools for scalable AML/CTF programs and highlight higher-risk scenarios, with updates planned as regulatory requirements evolve.