AML Reform Enrolment Opens for New Professions

AUSTRAC News & Media

Published March 31st, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

AUSTRAC opened enrolment for new professions on 31 March 2026 as part of Australia's landmark AML/CTF reforms. From 1 July 2026, approximately 80,000 additional businesses—including lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, real estate professionals, and dealers in precious stones and metals—will fall under AUSTRAC's AML/CTF regime, expanding regulated entities from 19,000 to 100,000 nationwide.

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What changed

AUSTRAC has launched enrolment for new professions under Australia's AML/CTF reforms, effective 31 March 2026. The expansion covers lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, real estate professionals, and dealers in precious stones and metals—adding approximately 80,000 businesses to the regulated population (from 19,000 to 100,000). Current reporting businesses must also update their information, including beneficial ownership details, designated services, and compliance officer information. AUSTRAC has released new enrolment forms on the AUSTRAC Online platform.

All newly covered businesses must comply with AML/CTF obligations from 1 July 2026, including implementing AML/CTF programs, conducting customer due diligence, reporting suspicious matters, and keeping records. Businesses should complete AUSTRAC Online enrolment immediately and develop a compliance roadmap before the July deadline, appointing a compliance officer, mapping designated services, and establishing suspicious matter reporting procedures. Businesses providing remittance or virtual asset designated services must also apply for registration by 31 March 2026, not just enrol.

What to do next

Enrol with AUSTRAC via AUSTRAC Online immediately since enrolment is now open
Develop and implement AML/CTF compliance program by 1 July 2026 including policies, procedures, controls, and risk assessments
Businesses offering remittance or virtual asset services must also apply for registration by 31 March 2026

Source document (simplified)

31 March 2026

AUSTRAC is implementing the next phase of the Australian Government’s landmark anti‑money laundering reforms, opening enrolment for new professions.

From today, 31 March, businesses - including lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, real estate professionals, and dealers in precious stones and metals - can enrol at AUSTRAC online.

This reform milestone brings AUSTRAC another step closer to 1 July when the new sectors come under its AML/CTF regime.

On that date, the number of businesses regulated by AUSTRAC will grow from around 19,000 to close to 100,000 nationwide.

AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said the changes represent the most significant overhaul of Australia’s AML/CTF framework in more than 20 years.

“These reforms are about closing long‑standing gaps, lifting protections across the economy and making it harder for criminals to hide, move or enjoy the proceeds of crime,” Mr Thomas said.

“By expanding the regime and modernising how we regulate, we are strengthening Australia’s financial system and better protecting legitimate businesses from criminal exploitation.”

From today, businesses can create an account and enrol through AUSTRAC Online and from 1 July 2026, they will be required to comply with obligations under the AML/CTF laws, including implementing AML/CTF programs, conducting customer due diligence, reporting suspicious matters, and keeping records.

Most businesses only need to enrol with AUSTRAC.

If businesses intend to provide remittance or virtual asset designated services, they will also need to enrol and apply for registration from 31 March.

In addition to enrolment for new businesses, AUSTRAC has also introduced important updates for current reporting businesses, strengthening the information collected to scaffold a modern, risk‑based AML/CTF framework.

Current reporting businesses may now be required to provide additional information as part of enrolment, including:

updated designated services
beneficial ownership details
AML/CTF compliance officer information
refreshed organisational profile information
reporting group details. To support these changes, new enrolment forms have been released on the AUSTRAC Online reporting platform.

Mr Thomas said the changes are a critical step in delivering the Government’s AML/CTF reforms.

“This is about building a system that is fit for today’s risks and tomorrow’s threats - one that supports compliance, delivers better intelligence, and keeps Australia aligned with global best practice,” he said.

Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, said the Albanese Labor Government is delivering the most significant upgrade to Australia’s anti‑money laundering laws in more than 20 years.

“These reforms strengthen protections across the economy and bring Australia into line with international standards” Mr Burke said.

“They close long‑standing gaps that criminals have exploited, particularly in high‑risk professions that sit at key points in financial and property transactions.

“The new laws make Australia a harder place for criminals to operate, protect legitimate businesses from exploitation, and ensure Australia continues to meet global anti‑money laundering standards.”

Read more about enrolment and registration obligations on our website.

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