AML/CTF Reforms for Real Estate Compliance Resource Hub & Toolkit

Support and guidance for understanding and implementing changes to Australia’s AML/CTF regime. All in one place.
Access the AML/CTF Compliance Toolkit, Book training, Access the updated Privacy Pack and more.

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REINSW's AML/CTF For Real Estate Compliance Toolkit

AML/CTF COMPLIANCE TOOLKITThe REINSW AML/CTF Compliance Toolkit helps your agency implement Australia’s new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) requirements with confidence.

Designed specifically for real estate agencies by REINSW’s compliance experts, it includes more than 40 practical templates, checklists, forms, factsheets and workflows based on AUSTRAC guidance, AUSTRAC’s Starter Kit and the AML/CTF Act and Rules, supported by REINSW education, Helpline support and ongoing industry guidance.

How to access the toolkit

  1. The toolkit will be FREE for multiple session purchasers of the AML/CTF Interactive Guided Workshop or AML/CTF Training for Sales Agents*. Only the account that registered for an event will be able to access it.
  2. It is available to purchase for both non training registrants, members and non-members. Special pricing is also available for REINSW Supervision Guidelines Portal subscribers. 
  3. Click 'access Toolkit' below to initiate the process to view it.

ACCESS TOOLKIT

*Free access is available immediately after checkout for AML/CTF Toolkit poduct purchasers, two or more AML/CTF Workshop session registrants, 2 more AML/CTF Training for Sales Agents session registrants. If you can't get access please Contact us. Individual session  only, do not qualify for this benefit; the product will need to be purchased to access it. 

Toolkit Content

Resource First Published 22 May 2026 (Last updated)
 General  
List of REINSW’s AML/CTF Toolkit Resources 2 June 2026
Definitions Table 22 May 2026
Acronyms Table 22 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 22 May 2026
Deadlines and Time Limits 22 May 2026
Factsheets
AML/CTF Program Factsheet 22 May 2026
Enrolment with AUSTRAC Factsheet 22 May 2026
Customer Due Diligence Factsheet 22 May 2026
Personnel Factsheet 22 May 2026
Reporting Requirements Factsheet 22 May 2026
Tipping off and Information Notices Factsheet 22 May 2026
Record Keeping Factsheet 22 May 2026
Governance Factsheet 22 May 2026
Training & Implementation Checklist
Training & Implementation Checklist 22 May 2026
AUSTRAC Enrolment
AUSTRAC Enrolment Process Infographic 22 May 2026
What Agents Should Have Ready Before They Start Enrolment with AUSTRAC 22 May 2026
Agents to Complete Before Enrolment Checklist 22 May 2026
Quick Enrolment Tips and Links for Agents 22 May 2026
AML/CTF Enrolment Walkthrough Webinar (Link in List of REINSW’s AML/CTF Toolkit Resources) 22 May 2026
 Who Needs to Enrol?  2 June 2026
AUSTRAC Starter Kit Tools
Steps to Customise Your Starter Kit 22 May 2026
List of Documents in AUSTRAC's Starter Kit 22 May 2026
Compliance Officer
Compliance Officer Infographic - Key Responsibilities and Obligations 22 May 2026
Due Diligence Conducted on Compliance Officer 22 May 2026
Personnel
Role Responsibilities Table 22 May 2026
NSW Statutory Declaration - AML/CTF Role Suitability 22 May 2026
Training Attendance Register 22 May 2026
Personnel Training Checklist 22 May 2026
Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
AUSTRAC's Example Referee Statement Form 22 May 2026
Customer Risk Ratings and Reviews 22 May 2026
Customer Risk Assessment Guide for Onboarding and Ongoing CDD 22 May 2026
Onboarding Pack
Email Template for Potential New Clients after 1 July 2026 22 May 2026
Customer Information Statement 22 May 2026
Ongoing CDD
Email for Existing Client regarding new AML/CTF requirements and ongoing CDD 22 May 2026
Ongoing CDD/KYC Update Request Form 22 May 2026
Customer Information Statement 22 May 2026
Sales File Checklist
Sales File Checklist 22 May 2026
Reporting and Offboarding
Tipping Off Acknowledgement Form 22 May 2026
Tipping Off Acknowledgement Register 22 May 2026
Snapshot of Reporting Requirements 22 May 2026
Scripts for Enhanced CDD and Offboarding 22 May 2026
Incident/Suspicion Register 22 May 2026
Privacy
OAIC's Privacy Essentials Checklist 22 May 2026
OAIC's Privacy Guidance for Reporting Entities under the AML/CTF Act 22 May 2026
Approvals
Approvals Table 22 May 2026
Essential Records
Essential Records List 22 May 2026
Penalties
Penalties Table 22 May 2026
Coming Soon
Transaction Lifecycle 22 May 2026

Other REINSW Training, Tools and Resources

AML/CTF Training

 

AML/CTF Training for Sales Agents

This interactive online Zoom training session has been designed specifically for sales agents to help them understand their role within their agency's AML/CTF framework. 

CURRENTLY NONE SCHEDULED

AML/CTF Interactive Guided Workshops
Join the REINSW comprehensive series of interactive workshops to assist members and help real estate professionals understand their legal obligations, take the key steps to prepare business operations, and get ready for new obligations. They are not just theory - you will be provided the tools, simulations, and frameworks to build your agency's compliance program from the ground up. Comprehensive training on AML/CTF obligations is essential for all staff involved in providing designated services.

Enrol now

REI Vault



Your complete AML/CTF Compliance solution. 

Learn more

REI Privacy Pack



 

With all agencies governed by the AML/CTF framework required to comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), it’s time to make sure you’re compliant with that legislation. REINSW’s Privacy Pack gives you the essential templates to help your compliance with the Privacy Act — without the guesswork. From policies to compliance and data breach response plans, you’ll have practical tools ready to use, so you can focus on running your business with confidence. 

Free for members & available to purchase for non-members.

Access now

REINSW Supervision Guidelines Portal


Ensure Compliance. This online portal hosts REINSW's Supervision Guidelines Template and associated relevant documents to assist your compliance with NSW Fair Trading's Supervision Guidelines. 

Learn more

REINSW Webinars and Videos

AML/CTF Training for Sales Agents. 19 June 2026. Training designed specifically for sales agents.

REI Vault Demo. 17 June 2026. An online demonstration of REI Vault. Your all-in-one compliance environment.

AML/CTF Reforms with AUSTRAC CEO. 16 June 2026. 

AML/CTF AUSTRAC Enrolment Walkthrough. 13 April 2026. A step-by-step webinar designed to help you confidently enrol correctly and on time with AUSTRAC. 

Introduction to the AML/CTF Starter Kit. 9 February 2026. Learn what you need to know in less then 25 mins. 

The role of an AML Compliance Officer. 8 December 2025. Join REINSW CEO Tim McKibbin and Milan Cooper from First AML for an engaging discussion on the role of an AML Compliance Officer.

Introduction to AML Obligations. 6 June 2025. Learn about your AML obligations, which will be massively impacting the real estate industry. First AML has seen it play out in New Zealand already, goes through the fundamentals of the changes.

Setting the foundations for the AML Obligations. 17 November 2025. Tim McKibbin, REINSW CEO, and Milan Cooper from First AML, dives into the key dates, core obligations, operating models for AML and more.

Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Financing Proposed Reforms. 29 August 2025.

View all Webinars

REINSW Helpline

 

Confidential, practical advice in all areas of real estate. REINSW Helpline can assist members with understanding AML/CTF compliance requirements and related compliance activities, when they need it most.

02 9264 2343
[email protected]
Weekdays | 8.30am – 5.00pm

REI Forms Live

 

Ensure Compliance.
Use the most up-to-date compliant forms with REI Forms Live. REI Forms Live is a member exclusive product.

 Sign up for two-week free trial

AML/CTF For Real Estate Key Details & Dates

All NSW real estate agencies across the real estate sector as new reporting entities, are classified as Tranche 2 reporting entities and must be compliant with the AML/CTF legislation from 1 July 2026, with AUSTRAC's reforms expanding the regime to about 90,000 new entities and aligning Australia more closely with the Financial Action Task Force and international standards.

Mid-March 2026

  • Enrol in the REINSW AML/CTF Workshops for complete guidance and training, including AUSTRAC enrolment and assistance with completion of your AML/CTF program. 

From 31 March 2026

  • Enrol with AUSTRAC
  • Develop a comprehensive AML/CTF Program, including policies, procedures and a risk assessment, to assess risks and conduct customer due diligence.

From 1 July 2026

  • Implement your AML/CTF program (including policies, procedures and a risk assessment) 
  • Verify client identities (VOI) and conduct customer due diligence (including Know Your Customer (KYC)) checks and enhanced customer due diligence checks (if required)
  • Assess client risk and conduct ongoing monitoring of transactions, with further checks where a client's risk profile changes to help detect suspicious activity
  • Appoint a Compliance Officer
  • Keep records and report suspicious matters to AUSTRAC
You need the knowledge to ensure compliance. That’s exactly what REINSW can provide. 

REINSW's Key AML/CTF For Real Estate Updates

Act now on anti-money laundering laws

Posted on 10/03/2026
MEDIA RELEASE: With new anti-money laundering laws looming and AUSTRAC enrolments set to open this month, REINSW has urged all real estate businesses to ensure their knowledge and systems are ready for the July 1 go-live date.

Preparing for AML/CTF reforms: Latest AUSTRAC updates for agencies

Posted on 17/12/2025
As AML/CTF reform approaches, REINSW is keeping members informed with essential updates to support agency readiness for the upcoming AML/CTF changes. Read the summary.

AUSTRAC Starter Program Kits Released – What REINSW Members Need to Know

Posted on 26/11/2025
As part of REINSW’s commitment to keeping our members ahead of regulatory change, we are sharing key AUSTRAC updates essential for agencies preparing for the upcoming AML/CTF reforms.

AUSTRAC releases Core Guidance – understand your upcoming AML/CTF obligations

Posted on 27/10/2025
AUSTRAC has now released its Core Guidance for Tranche 2 entities, which includes real estate agents. Read what it includes and action points to take.

AML/CTF For Real Estate FAQs

What is happening on 1 July 2026 under AML/CTF and Privacy? +

(a) real estate agents must comply with Tranche 2 requirements under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act) if they are brokering the sale, purchase or transfer of real estate, helping prevent financial crime under a unified, risk-based approach to money laundering and terrorism financing; and

(b) once an agency becomes a reporting entity under the AML/CTF Act, it must comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) when handling personal information for the purposes of, or in connection with, its AML/CTF obligations, including customer due diligence (CDD), monitoring and reporting and AML/CTF record-keeping. This applies even to small businesses that would otherwise be exempt from the Privacy Act, although for those businesses the Privacy Act generally applies only to their AML/CTF-related activities, not unrelated parts of the business. In practice, agencies should treat this as requiring privacy-compliant collection, use, disclosure, security, retention and access/correction processes for AML/CTF information.

 

What is a designated service and am I providing one? +

A “designated service” is a service listed in the AML/CTF Act that triggers AML/CTF legal obligations. For real estate professionals, this will generally mean providing designated services when brokering the sale, purchase or transfer of real estate in property transactions. If you provide one of those services on and from 1 July 2026, you will need to comply with Tranche 2 requirements under the AML/CTF Act regardless of the number of properties you transact each year

What do I need to do if I provide a designated service? +

If you provide a designated service, you are generally a reporting entity under the AML/CTF regime and must enrol with AUSTRAC, develop and maintain an AML/CTF program, carry out CDD before providing the service in most cases including checks on beneficial owners and customer identification, and meet ongoing reporting and record-keeping obligations. Ongoing Customer Due Diligence required monitoring client relationships over time, and enhanced CDD may be needed for politically exposed persons. For real estate agents, the core obligations apply on 1 July 2026.

Do all real estate agencies need to enrol with AUSTRAC? +

No. An agency must only enrol if it provides a designated service with an Australian geographical link. In practical terms, that usually means the service is provided at, or through, a permanent establishment in Australia (eg. through the agency’s office, business premises or an agent carrying on the relevant service in Australia). However, please note that agencies offering exclusively property management services need not enrol. From 31 March 2026, agencies can enrol with AUSTRAC and if you are providing a designated service on 1 July 2026 then you must be enrolled with AUSTRAC by that date (otherwise within 28 days after starting to provide the designated service).

Do I need an AML/CTF program even if I rarely handle cash? +

Yes. The trigger is not whether you handle cash - it is whether you provide a designated service. On and from 1 July 2026, sales and buyers’ agents providing real estate services, and it should cover compliance activities, record keeping, risk assessment, customer due diligence, and proliferation financing risks.

Are there different types of customer due diligence? +

Yes, there is initial CDD, ongoing CDD, enhanced CDD and simplified CDD (in limited low-ML/TF risk cases). Ongoing checks involve monitoring the customer relationship over time, and a change in a client's risk profile may trigger futher due diligence.

What services are considered high-risk under AML/CTF laws? +

The law does not prescribe a fixed list of ‘high-risk services’ for agents. Instead, agencies must identify and assess ML/TF risk using a risk-based approach. Higher-risk indicators may include complex ownership structures, offshore connections, unexplained source of funds or wealth, high-risk PEP exposure, third-party payment arrangements, evasive behaviour, exposure to organised crime, unclear control by beneficial owners, or concerns linked to proliferation financing.

How long do I need to keep AML/CTF records? +

Most AML/CTF records must be kept for 7 years. The exact start point depends on the record type. For example, 7 years after the business relationship ends for CDD records and generally 7 years from creation for many transaction and program records, including customer identification records.

A complete collection of FAQs is available in the REINSW AML/CTF Toolkit.

AUSTRAC Resources

Webinars, Events & Feedback

AUSTRAC Key Updates

REINSW Representing Industry

Feedback

Do you have any feedback in relation to the AML/CTF laws?

Email us at [email protected] 

Submissions

 

You can view some of our advocacy efforts in relation to AML/CTF in the submissions listed below. Please note that while some are publicly available, others remain confidential at this stage. 

VIEW ALL SUBMISSIONS