AML/CTF Reforms for Existing Reporting Entities

30 March 2026

We’re in the home stretch as the new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws approach.

If you’re reporting to us already, from 31 March 2026 you have new AML/CTF obligations.

You’ll still need to manage your money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks, maintain an effective AML/CTF program and report suspicious matters on time. However, some of the requirements may differ from your current processes.

Financial crime happens in Australia every day and it costs up to $82 billion a year. Much of the money being laundered through our systems is linked to harmful crime like illicit tobacco, environmental destruction, corruption, child exploitation and human trafficking. The reforms to the AML/CTF laws are designed to close the gaps criminals have been exploiting and meet the growing sophistication of financial crime.

The reforms also mark a regulatory shift – from regulation that primarily checks for compliance, to one focused on substantive risks and harms.

Head to our website for a summary of the changes.

Our expectations for current reporting entities

From 31 March 2026, your updated AML/CTF obligations take effect. If you’re unable to meet all new or changed obligations by this date, you should have a documented implementation plan in place. This plan should explain how you’ll manage risks during the transition, address any gaps and deliver the required changes.

We’ll take a pragmatic and proportionate approach to new regulation. However, if risks aren’t properly managed or obligations aren’t met, we may step in and take regulatory action. Read more about our expectations and implementation plans on our website.

New enrolment and registration forms

From 31 March 2026, you’ll see new enrolment and registration forms on AUSTRAC Online.

This will include new digital forms for most enrolment and registration activities, replacing the current forms you use to enrol, register, update details or deregister a business.

The updated forms reflect changes to the information we must collect, including expanded or amended designated services and beneficial ownership details.

We’ll also host information sessions on using these new forms in early April. Head to our education page to learn more or use the links below to register:

• Session 1: Wednesday 1 April – 2pm - 3pm AEDT
• Session 2: Thursday 2 April – 2pm - 3pm AEDT
• Session 3: Tuesday 7 April – 2pm - 3pm AEDT
• Session 4: Wednesday 8 April – 2pm - 3pm AEDT
• Session 5: Thursday 9 April – 2pm - 3pm AEDT

What you need to do

Update your enrolment details

Between 31 March and 30 May 2026, you must update your enrolment details, including your AML/CTF compliance officer. Take a look at our quick guide on what information you’ll need to have ready to complete the new forms.

This deadline does not apply to virtual asset service providers (previously known as digital currency exchange providers) (see VASPS factsheet). They have until 29 July 2026 to update their details.

From 31 March 2026, the form for new registrations will be available in a PDF format. It will replace the current form that you use to register a new business.

Visit our website for more information about Reform enrolment and registration (and Enrol or Register page for current entities).

AUSTRAC Online outage

AUSTRAC Online is unavailable from 8pm Friday 27 March to 11:59pm Monday 30 March 2026 AEDT while we introduce the new enrolment and registration forms.

During the outage, you will not be able to log in to AO or submit reports to AUSTRAC.

If you need to submit a suspicious matter report, threshold transaction report or international funds transfer instruction report during the outage, we expect you to submit them within the submission deadlines, starting from when AO is back online. If you do this, you will have complied with your reporting obligations.

See our helpful resources

We have a range of guidance and new educational resources to help you comply with your new and changed obligations. They’re designed to be clear, practical and easy to apply in your business.

These include:

• ML/TF risk assessment quick guides and webinars for remittance businesses and VASPS. These take you through the risk assessment process and highlight common risks in your sectors.
• Governance and oversight factsheet and quick guides on the responsibilities of compliance officers, senior managers and governing bodies. These explain how governance works in practice where one person may perform all 3 governance roles.
• Customer due diligence essentials videos and webinars series covering the fundamentals of initial, simplified, ongoing and enhanced due diligence to help you identify customers, assess risk and meet reporting requirements.
• Sector-specific proliferation financing indicators to help higher-risk businesses better identify and manage risk.
• Reporting groups quick guide which outlines the core responsibilities of a lead entity or member, helping your business understand what’s needed to meet AML/CTF obligations as a reporting group.
• Travel rule quick guides for ordering, intermediary and beneficiary institutions. Businesses can use these guides to help them collect, verify and share information during value transfers. For more information on the AML/CTF reforms and a summary of how the changes affect current reporting entities, visit our reforms guidance hub.

Need support

If you need further support, you can email contact@austrac.gov.au or call the Contact Centre on 1300 021 037.

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