AUSTRAC has moved from warnings to enforcement, and Australian real estate businesses that provide designated services but have failed to enrol under the expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws risk facing significant financial penalties.
In its 30 September 2026 media release, AUSTRAC confirmed it had begun issuing infringement notices to businesses in sectors including real estate that it believes failed to enrol within 28 days of providing a designated service. The reported penalties are $21,840 for corporate entities and $4,368 for individuals and can accrue daily.
Since 1 July 2026, eligible real estate businesses have been subject to expanded AML/CTF obligations, with 29 July 2026 marking the deadline to enrol with AUSTRAC for those covered by the new requirements. For agency principals and real estate professionals, the message is clear: if your business is required to enrol but hasn’t, act now. Continued non-compliance could increase your financial exposure.
The infringement notices apply to businesses AUSTRAC believes failed to enrol within 28 days of providing a designated service. The financial impact can extend beyond the initial notice if non-compliance continues.
These amounts relate to failing to enrol. Other AML/CTF breaches may carry separate consequences, depending on the circumstances.
For more information, read AUSTRAC’s announcement on infringement notices for non-enrolled businesses.
AML/CTF stands for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing. Australia’s Tranche 2 reforms extend these obligations to additional professional service industries, including eligible real estate businesses, to help prevent criminals from using legitimate transactions to conceal or move illicit funds.
Property transactions can be used to disguise the origins of illicit funds. Bringing eligible real estate businesses into the AML/CTF framework helps strengthen safeguards against money laundering and terrorism financing.
Since 1 July 2026, businesses providing designated real estate services have been subject to the expanded requirements. This includes enrolling with AUSTRAC and meeting applicable obligations for customer due diligence, risk assessment, record-keeping and reporting.
Enrolment is a legal requirement for businesses covered by the laws, but it is only the starting point. Businesses must also establish and maintain the processes needed to meet their ongoing AML/CTF obligations.
Read AUSTRAC’s guidance on real estate designated services to understand which activities may be covered.
Yes, if their business provides a designated service covered by the AML/CTF regime and the required geographical link to Australia exists.
AUSTRAC identifies buyer’s and seller’s agents as likely to provide designated services. Certain property developers and other businesses selling property without an independent real estate agent may also be covered.
Businesses subject to the laws must understand their obligations, assess money laundering and terrorism financing risks, implement an appropriate AML/CTF program, conduct customer due diligence (CDD), keep relevant records and report suspicious matters where required.
If you’re unsure whether your business is covered, refer to AUSTRAC’s designated services guidance or seek independent professional advice.
If your agency has missed the 29 July 2026 enrolment deadline and is required to enrol, take steps to address the situation as soon as possible.
For advice on how the requirements apply to your business, consult AUSTRAC’s guidance and seek independent professional advice where appropriate.
If your business is covered by the AML/CTF laws, the following steps can help you work towards meeting your obligations:
These are general steps, not a complete compliance checklist. The requirements that apply will depend on your business and the designated services it provides. Refer to AUSTRAC’s AML/CTF guidance for detailed information about your obligations.
Meeting your AML/CTF obligations does not have to mean adding unnecessary administrative pressure to an already busy agency.
Securexchange’s Compliance Centre helps real estate professionals manage key AML/CTF processes in one digital workspace, including AUSTRAC enrolment, customer due diligence checks, risk assessments and record keeping. By bringing these activities together, it can help streamline administration, support consistent processes and keep compliance tasks connected to the property transaction.
It is important to remember your agency remains responsible for meeting its legal obligations, but the right tools can make those responsibilities easier to manage.
Do not wait for an infringement notice to review your processes. Confirm your enrolment status, address any compliance gaps and explore how Securexchange’s Compliance Centre can help your agency manage its ongoing AML/CTF obligations with greater confidence.
If you are unsure if you are a designated services provided, use our free tool here.
