Which Services Are Now Regulated Under Australia’s AML/CTF Reforms?

Australia’s expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime came into effect on 1 July 2026, bringing thousands of additional businesses within AUSTRAC’s regulatory framework.

The reforms extend AML/CTF regulation to certain designated services commonly provided across real estate, legal, accounting, conveyancing and precious metals and stones sectors.

AUSTRAC states that a business becomes a reporting entity when it provides one or more designated services with the required geographical link to Australia. Find out which services are now regulated under the AML/CTF regime.

Real Estate designated services

Your real estate business may be subject to AML/CTF obligations if you provide one or more designated services with a geographical link to Australia.

This includes if you:
- act as a buyer’s or seller’s agent
- are a property developer or other business selling house and land packages, off-the-plan apartments or land in new subdivisions without engaging an independent real estate agent to broker the sale.

Legal, accounting, conveyancing and other professional services

Lawyers, accountants, conveyancers, insolvency practitioners, financial advisers, trust and company service providers and other professional service businesses.

The designated services include certain activities involving:

• planning or executing transactions to buy, sell or transfer real estate

• buying, selling or transferring companies or other legal arrangements

• creating or restructuring companies and legal arrangements

• establishing trusts

• providing registered or principal address services

• receiving, holding, controlling or managing a person’s money or other property as part of directly advancing a transaction

• facilitating business equity or debt financing

• facilitating or performing certain roles within corporate or legal arrangements

• providing nominee shareholder, intermediary and shelf company services.

The important distinction is that not every service provided by a lawyer, accountant or other professional is regulated. The specific activity must fall within the definition of a designated service. For example, general advice that does not directly advance a relevant transaction will not generally, by itself, be captured.

Precious metals, stones and products designated services

The expanded regime also covers designated services involving the buying and selling of precious metals, precious stones and certain related products.

This applies where the purchase or sale is valued at A$10,000 or more and involves physical cash, virtual assets, or a combination of both. The threshold can be reached through one transaction or several linked or apparently linked transactions. A purchase paid entirely by bank transfer, debit card or credit card does not trigger this particular designated service.

AUSTRAC provides an online tool businesses can use to check whether the services they provide may be regulated. See here: https://www.austrac.gov.au/new-austrac/check-if-you-may-be-regulated

Do you provide a designated service and need help with your AML? Contact AMLHUB today to book a demo or discuss how we can help your organisation transition seamlessly into the new regime.