The long-anticipated day has arrived: AUSTRAC registration for real estate professionals (and other tranche 2 sectors) is open. With anti-money laundering (AML) regulations now directly impacting the property sector, understanding how to register and comply has never been more important.
For many agents and brokers, AML compliance may feel daunting. But getting it right early is crucial — not just to avoid penalties, but to ensure your business operates smoothly in a secure and transparent environment.
This guide breaks down what you need to know, step by step.
Why AUSTRAC Registration Matters for Real Estate Professionals
AUSTRAC is Australia’s financial intelligence and regulatory agency responsible for detecting and preventing money laundering, terrorism financing, and other serious financial crimes.
Real estate is a high-risk sector for illicit financial activity, as large sums of money often change hands. With real estate agents specifically rated as medium risk.
Registering with AUSTRAC ensures that you:
Meet your legal obligations under the AML/CTF Act.
Protect your clients, business, and reputation.
Gain access to tools and support to make compliance easier.
Failure to register or implement required processes could result in significant fines, (calculated at a daily rate), reputational damage, and in some cases, criminal liability.
Who Needs to Register?
All real estate agents and businesses involved in property transactions that are deemed to be ‘designated services’.
Designated services include:
Brokerage of property transactors acting for vendor or as a buyer agent.
Long term leases (30+ years)
Property management services and short term leases are typically excluded from the regime.
If you’re unsure whether your activities require registration, it’s better to check early — non-compliance can be costly.
Step-by-Step Guide to Registering
AUSTRAC registration process should be relatively straight forward when approached methodically.
1. Gather Your Business Information: Before starting your registration, make sure you have:
ABN/ACN details for your company
Contact information for the responsible officer or compliance officer
Details of all trust accounts and financial arrangements
2. Create an AUSTRAC Online Account: Registration is done online through AUSTRAC’s secure portal found here: https://www.austrac.gov.au/new-austrac/enrol-or-register/enrol-us
You’ll need to:
Set up a unique username and password
Verify your identity
Provide supporting documentation
3. Complete the Registration Form: The form requires:
Business structure information
Ownership details
Compliance program details (or confirmation you have a plan in place)
4. Submit and Await Confirmation
Once submitted, AUSTRAC will review your registration. You may be asked for additional information or clarification. After approval, you’ll receive confirmation of your registration.
Tips for Smooth Registration:
Start early: Don’t leave registration until the last minute.
Keep documents ready: Having your policies, risk assessments, and trust account details on hand speeds up the process.
Seek expert support: Companies like AMLHUB can help with risk assessments, KYC verification, and ongoing training.
AUSTRAC registration is more than a regulatory obligation — it’s a necessary step to safeguard your business, formally connect to AUSTRAC to allow you to report suspicious transactions, and embed AML practices that will protect you, your clients and identify high risk transactions.
With the process now open, real estate professionals should have an action plan, don't wait till the 29th of June to register. By preparing your key compliance documents (risk assessment and compliance program), understanding your obligations, and leveraging expert support, you can navigate registration with confidence and set your business up for long-term compliance success.
AML doesn’t need to be complex or time-consuming. At AMLHUB, we support organisations across Australia and New Zealand by combining technology, operational expertise, outsourcing capability, and training to help businesses implement practical AML frameworks.
Building the right capability now will not only support initial implementation but will also ensure your compliance framework remains effective as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.
If you would like to learn more about how AMLHUB supports Australian businesses preparing for Tranche 2 AML/CTF obligations, our team would be happy to speak with you.
Contact AMLHUB today to book a demo or discuss how we can help your organisation transition seamlessly into the new regime.