Australia: Money Laundering

Australia's AML/CTF reforms take effect on 1 July 2026, requiring real estate agents, property developers, accounting firms, law firms and other newly captured entities to demonstrate full compliance. Are you prepared with the necessary risk assessments, documented programs, trained staff, operational systems and AUSTRAC enrolment to meet the critical 29 July 2026 deadline?

Australia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime is expanding to include lawyers, accountants and other professional service providers from July 2026. Piper Alderman is implementing comprehensive compliance systems to meet these new obligations, which will affect client onboarding, transaction monitoring and matter management processes across the firm.

From 1 July 2026, Australia's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing reforms will bring parts of the real estate sector into sharper regulatory focus. For property developers, one question is already emerging – could the 'travel rule' apply to how project funds, deposits or digital value move through a transaction? This article examines when the travel rule applies to property developers and what practical steps may be required.

The AML/CTF regime will be extended to a variety of Tranche 2 services from July 2026 onwards.

Over the past year, AUSTRAC has been busy on several fronts (making good use of its largest budget and staffing numbers to date). Key areas of focus have included...

Modern slavery remains a critical issue for boards and executives.

High-level summary of practical steps that reporting entities can take to transition to the new AML/CTF regime in an orderly manner.

Australian government introduced guidance as to what constitutes 'adequate procedures to prevent foreign bribery.

Australia's financial sector has experienced significant transformation over the past decade through comprehensive regulatory reform, but regulatory clarity doesn't always create operational simplicity.