--- title: "AML/CTF Compliance Law Australia | Astris Law" url: https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/anti-money-laundering description: "Brisbane AML/CTF compliance law. AUSTRAC obligations, AML programs, independent reviews, suspicious matter reporting. Call (07) 3519 5616." lang: en-AU --- Skip to main content # Anti Money-Laundering Law Australia Image: Anti Money-Laundering - Astris Law Brisbane commercial law firm (https://www.astrislaw.com/assets/regulatory-compliance-BCKS0uZZ.jpg) ← Back to Regulatory & Compliance: https://www.astrislaw.com/practice-areas/regulatory-compliance ## Summary Astris Law advises Australian reporting entities on AML/CTF compliance under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth). Services include AUSTRAC registration, AML/CTF program development, suspicious matter reporting, enforcement defence and Tranche 2 readiness for lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and other designated services from 2026. ## Overview Australia's AML/CTF regime has applied to financial services, gambling and bullion dealers since 2006. Reporting entities in these sectors have operated under AUSTRAC oversight for nearly two decades, managing program obligations, transaction reporting and customer due diligence as part of day-to-day operations. Astris Law assists these entities with compliance, remediation and regulatory defence. From 2026, Tranche 2 extends the regime to lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, TCSPs, virtual asset service providers, precious metals and stones dealers, property developers, business brokers and other designated service providers. These entities became reporting entities for the first time on 1 July 2026 and now require AML/CTF programs, AUSTRAC registration and ongoing compliance frameworks. Whether an established reporting entity or a Tranche 2 entrant, Astris Law treats AML/CTF as a core operational risk, not an isolated compliance exercise. We build pragmatic, defensible programs that satisfy regulatory expectations without paralysing commercial operations. ## How We Help Astris Law is one of a small number of Australian law firms with a dedicated AML/CTF compliance practice. We advise Brisbane businesses and reporting entities on every aspect of their obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, from initial AUSTRAC registration and AML/CTF program development through to enforcement defence and remediation. For existing reporting entities in financial services, gambling and bullion dealing, we review and strengthen AML/CTF programs, advise on suspicious matter reporting and threshold transaction obligations, conduct independent evaluations and respond to AUSTRAC investigations and enforcement action. Our programs are designed to be operationally practical, not just legally compliant on paper, so that your frontline staff can implement them consistently. For Brisbane businesses facing AUSTRAC audits or compliance concerns, we provide rapid assessment and remediation support. From 2026, the AML/CTF regime extends to lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, trust and company service providers, precious metals and stones dealers, property developers and other designated services under Tranche 2. These entities became reporting entities for the first time on 1 July 2026 and now require AML/CTF programs, AUSTRAC registration and ongoing compliance frameworks. ## Common Situations - Your business is a reporting entity and AUSTRAC has commenced an investigation or issued an infringement notice - You need an AML/CTF program developed, reviewed or remediated to meet current AUSTRAC expectations - Your compliance team has identified a suspicious matter and you need advice on reporting obligations and timeframes - Your business provides designated services and needs to prepare for Tranche 2 AML/CTF obligations from 2026 - You are undergoing an independent evaluation of your AML/CTF program and need legal support - Your board or senior management need training on AML/CTF governance obligations and escalation protocols ## Why Astris Law Astris Law is one of a small number of Brisbane firms with a dedicated AML/CTF practice. You get direct principal access on every matter, which is critical when AUSTRAC deadlines are running and compliance failures carry serious penalties. Call (07) 3519 5616: +61735195616 Send an Enquiry: https://www.astrislaw.com/contact ## What We Can Do AML/CTF program development, review and remediation AUSTRAC registration, reporting entity obligations and ongoing compliance Suspicious matter reports, threshold transaction reports and IFTI obligations AUSTRAC investigations, infringement notices and enforcement responses Independent evaluations under the AML/CTF Act Board and senior management AML/CTF training and governance frameworks Transaction monitoring systems, customer due diligence and KYC frameworks Correspondent banking relationships and enhanced due diligence programs Tranche 2 readiness and onboarding ## Our Special Interests Responding to AUSTRAC investigations and enforcement action Designing risk-based AML/CTF programs for complex business models Managing remediation programs following compliance failures Navigating cross-border AML obligations and correspondent banking requirements Preparing Tranche 2 entities - including lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, TCSPs, precious metals dealers, property developers and business brokers - for AML/CTF obligations from 2026 ## Key Legislation & Frameworks Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) AML/CTF Rules Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024 (Cth) Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011 Charter of the United Nations Act 1945 ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is an AML/CTF program and do I need one in Australia? An AML/CTF program is a compliance framework required under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) for all reporting entities. It must include customer identification procedures, ongoing customer due diligence, transaction monitoring and suspicious matter reporting processes. If your business provides designated services including financial services, gambling, bullion dealing or (from 2026) professional services under Tranche 2, you are required to have an AML/CTF program and to enrol with AUSTRAC. ### What is Tranche 2 AML and when does it start in Australia? Tranche 2 extends Australia's AML/CTF regime to lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, trust and company service providers (TCSPs), precious metals and stones dealers, property developers, business brokers and other designated service providers. These entities became reporting entities for the first time on 1 July 2026 and now require AML/CTF programs, AUSTRAC registration and ongoing compliance frameworks. ### What happens if my business fails to comply with AUSTRAC obligations? Non-compliance with AUSTRAC obligations can result in significant civil penalties, infringement notices, enforceable undertakings and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution. AUSTRAC has the power to conduct investigations, impose remedial directions and pursue Federal Court proceedings for systemic compliance failures. ### What is a suspicious matter report (SMR) and when must I lodge one? A suspicious matter report must be lodged with AUSTRAC when a reporting entity forms a suspicion on reasonable grounds that a transaction or activity may be related to money laundering, terrorism financing, tax evasion or proceeds of crime. SMRs must be submitted within 24 hours for terrorism-related matters and within 3 business days for all other suspicious matters. Failure to report is a breach of a civil penalty provision. ### How can a lawyer help with an AUSTRAC investigation? A lawyer experienced in AML/CTF matters can help you respond to AUSTRAC investigation notices, prepare submissions, manage document production, negotiate enforceable undertakings and represent you in Federal Court proceedings. Early legal advice can help contain the scope of an investigation and protect your business from escalating penalties. ## Insights & Publications View all (https://www.astrislaw.com/articles) Insights ### AML Tranche 2 Starts in Three Weeks. Here Is What We Have Been Building. 10 June 2026 For the past year we have been building for Tranche 2. More than 2,500 pages of policy documents, risk assessments and procedures across twelve sector editions, published through HeadStart Docs™. A compliance portal of roughly 410,000 lines of code behind them. A dedicated Tranche 2 advice practice, HeadStart Counsel, the trading name under which Astris Law does this work. This article announces that work, lists the sectors we built for and shares what the work taught us, because the questions reaching us in the final weeks before commencement have answers that nobody else is publishing. Read more https://www.astrislaw.com/article/tranche-2-three-weeks-what-we-built News ### Astris Law Launches HeadStart Counsel for Tranche 2 28 May 2026 Astris Law has launched HeadStart Counsel, its Tranche 2 legal practice and the legal advisory arm to the HeadStart Docs™ compliance platform. From 1 July 2026 the AML/CTF regime extends to an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 new Australian businesses, and HeadStart Counsel exists to answer the are-we-in-or-are-we-out question, the edge cases and the questions with no published authority. Read more https://www.astrislaw.com/article/headstart-counsel-launch-tranche-2 Insights ### Suspicious Matter Reporting to AUSTRAC: When Australian Businesses Must File 21 May 2026 Suspicious matter reporting is the obligation businesses most often get wrong, usually by reporting too late or saying too much to the customer. This article sets out when you must file a suspicious matter report with AUSTRAC, the deadlines that apply and the confidentiality rules that let you report without alerting the customer. Read more https://www.astrislaw.com/article/suspicious-matter-reporting-austrac-when-to-file ## Industries We Serve in Anti Money-Laundering ### Banking, Private Equity & Venture Capital Strategic legal counsel for banks, private equity firms and venture capital funds. https://www.astrislaw.com/industry/banking ### Fintech Innovative legal solutions for payment platforms, neobanks and financial technology disruptors. https://www.astrislaw.com/industry/fintech ### Gambling Dedicated legal counsel for casinos, online wagering operators and gaming technology providers. https://www.astrislaw.com/industry/gambling ### Discuss Your Situation Get a brief, no-obligation call to understand your options. (07) 3519 5616 (+61735195616) ## Need a anti money-laundering lawyer? Talk to Astris Law. We work directly with our clients on anti money-laundering matters across Australia. No layers, no committees. (07) 3519 5616: +61735195616 Send Enquiry: https://www.astrislaw.com/contact ## Other Practice Areas Regulatory & Compliance: https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/regulatory-compliance-consumer-law Disciplinary Investigations & Professional Misconduct: https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/disciplinary-law Administrative Law & WHS Investigations: https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/administrative-law-whs View all Regulatory & Compliance services →: https://www.astrislaw.com/practice-areas/regulatory-compliance Book a call back (+61735195616) ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.astrislaw.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Practice Areas", "item": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice-areas" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anti Money-Laundering", "item": "https://www.astrislaw.com/practice/anti-money-laundering" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "LegalService", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://www.astrislaw.com/#organization", "name": "Astris Law", "legalName": "Astris Law Pty Ltd", "alternateName": [ "Astrons General Counsel", "Phronesis Litigation", "HeadStart Counsel" ], "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.astrislaw.com/android-chrome-512x512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 }, "image": "https://www.astrislaw.com/android-chrome-512x512.png", "description": "The Astris Law group gives directors and business owners the right legal capability for whatever their business needs, across corporate, disputes and regulatory. 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