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Real Estate Professionals

Secure Your Sales. Protect Your Agency.

The Australian property market has long been identified as a high-risk sector for money laundering. Criminal networks frequently use high-value real estate to park illicit funds and legitimize their wealth. To close this gap, the 2026 Tranche 2 reforms bring real estate agents and property developers strictly under AUSTRAC’s regulatory oversight.

When Do the Rules Apply to You?

Your agency will be classified as a "Reporting Entity" and must comply with the AML/CTF Act if you provide any of the following designated services:
 

  • Acting as an agent for a vendor or purchaser in the buying or selling of real property.
     

  • Acting as a property developer selling your own stock (where certain thresholds are met). (Note: General property management and leasing are typically excluded, meaning your compliance efforts must be highly targeted to your sales division).

The Operational Impact on Your Agency

Settlements move quickly, and vendor relationships are built on trust. Under the new laws, your sales agents cannot legally list a property or finalize a sale without completing mandatory checks. This means:
 

  • Vendor & Buyer ID Checks: You must verify the identity of both the seller and the buyer before the transaction proceeds.
     

  • Corporate Scrutiny: If a company or trust is buying a property, your team must identify the "Beneficial Owners" (the actual humans behind the corporate entity).
     

  • Reporting: You are legally required to report suspicious behaviors, such as buyers attempting to use large sums of physical cash or obscuring their source of funds.

The AML Partners 360 Solution

You shouldn't lose a listing because of clunky compliance paperwork. We provide real estate agencies with tailored, fixed-fee AML/CTF programs designed for the fast-paced property market. We equip your sales team and front-desk staff with quick, plain-English checklists to verify vendors and purchasers at the door, ensuring your agency remains fully compliant without slowing down your settlements.

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