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Real Estate Professionals – Are you Ready for 2026 AUSTRAC Reforms?

AUSTRAC Real Estate Reforms – The Next Wave of Financial Regulation

From 1 July 2026, Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime is expanding, and real estate professionals are in the spotlight. Under the AUSTRAC real estate reforms, property professionals will join around 80,000 additional businesses required to enrol and report to AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence unit and anti-financial crime regulator.

If you’re involved in property sales, development, or conveyancing, these reforms will fundamentally change your compliance landscape. This article outlines what’s changing, how to check if you’ll be affected, and what you can do now to prepare.

Why the AUSTRAC Reforms Are Expanding

For over 30 years, AUSTRAC has regulated financial services and gambling industries such as banks, casinos, and remittance providers. However, as criminal networks become more sophisticated, they’re increasingly using high-value sectors like real estate to move illicit funds.

Real estate is considered a high-risk industry due to the large sums of money involved, the frequent use of intermediaries, and the complex ownership structures that can be associated with property transactions. To close these gaps, AUSTRAC is extending its regulation to include:

• Real estate professionals and property developers
• Dealers in precious metals and stones
• Lawyers and conveyancers
• Accountants
• Trust and company service providers

Money laundering isn’t a victimless crime. It fuels illegal activity including drug trafficking, fraud, terrorism, and human exploitation. By participating in AUSTRAC’s strengthened regime, your business plays a key role in protecting Australia’s financial system and reputation.

Step 1: Check if Your Business Is Affected

If your business provides a “designated service” connected to Australia, the new obligations will apply from 1 July 2026. For most real estate businesses, this includes services involving the buying, selling, leasing, or management of property on behalf of clients.

To confirm whether your business will be regulated:

• Speak with your industry association for tailored guidance.
• Visit AUSTRAC’s website and use the “Check if you may be regulated” tool (click here).
• Review the AML/CTF Reform Hub, which provides updates, sector-specific guidance, and timelines.

It’s also important to identify all entities under your business structure that may be captured. For example, a real estate group offering development, conveyancing, and trust services may have multiple enrolment requirements.

Step 2: Understand the Key Dates

As the reforms roll out, there are important milestones affected businesses should be aware of:

• 31 March 2026: Enrolment opens for newly regulated entities.
• 1 July 2026: AML/CTF obligations commence for tranche 2 entities (including real estate professionals).
• 29 July 2026: Final date for enrolment compliance.

Sector-specific guidance, including template compliance programs and training materials, will be available from early 2026 to help you get started.

Step 3: Build Your AML/CTF Program

Every newly regulated business must have an AML/CTF Program in place by 1 July 2026. This program outlines how your business identifies, mitigates, and manages money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks.

An AML/CTF Program should include:

• Risk assessment: Identify the risks associated with your clients, services, and business operations.
• Customer due diligence: Verify client identities and beneficial owners before establishing a business relationship.
• Reporting obligations: Understand when and how to submit reports to AUSTRAC, such as suspicious matter reports (SMRs).
• Record keeping: Maintain accurate records of transactions and client identification for at least seven years.
• Staff training: Educate employees on your program, risks, and how to detect suspicious activity.
• Compliance officer: Nominate a senior staff member responsible for AML/CTF compliance.

AUSTRAC has indicated that “starter program kits” will be released in late 2025, allowing businesses to adopt a pre-structured compliance framework or adapt their own.

Step 4: Prepare Your Business Systems and Staff

Transitioning to compliance will likely require new systems, documentation, and training. Early planning is essential, particularly if you operate across multiple offices or have high transaction volumes.

Consider:

• Technology and record keeping: Update CRM or property management systems to capture the necessary client and transaction data.
• Internal training: Conduct workshops and role-based learning to ensure staff can recognise red flags and follow procedures.
• Legal review: Engage your legal or accounting adviser to review client onboarding forms, contracts, and internal policies.
• Implementation planning: Create a timeline to roll out compliance activities between now and July 2026.

Real estate businesses that demonstrate proactive preparation will be better positioned to meet their obligations and avoid regulatory risk once enforcement begins.

Step 5: Stay Informed and Engaged

AUSTRAC’s reform process is dynamic, and guidance may evolve throughout 2025–26. To stay up to date:

• Subscribe to AUSTRAC’s Reforms Mailing List.
• Register for AUSTRAC’s free webinars.
• Review national risk assessments to understand emerging trends in financial crime.
• Seek professional guidance early to interpret new obligations and integrate them efficiently into your operations.

The reforms are not about creating barriers, but about building resilience and integrity across Australia’s economy. Taking early, informed action will help you safeguard your reputation and client relationships.

Get Ready for the Reforms Now

Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about protecting your business, your clients, and your industry’s reputation. The upcoming AUSTRAC real estate reforms will demand preparation, structure, and clear accountability. Real estate professionals who start early will avoid last-minute pressure, position themselves as trusted operators, and ensure their business remains compliant from day one.

Start preparing your systems, training, and risk frameworks ahead of these changes, and stay informed in case things change ahead of the 1 July deadline.

written by:

Dominic Rollerson

Dominic has over 25 years of experience in working alongside business owners in both Australia and the United Kingdom including a number of years working in commerce. With a high level of expertise in business structuring, business acquisitions/disposals and business planning, coupled with a broad range of experience in dealing with businesses from start-ups through to listed companies, on both an Australian and international basis, Dominic has amassed a wealth of experience in understanding what makes a great business and focusses on partnering with businesses in an action focussed, yet light hearted manner.
Dominic is a member of the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Australia, a Chartered Tax Advisor, a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.