User guide: Manage designated business groups

Learn how to create and manage a designated business group (DBG).

On this page

Create a designated business group

When doing the steps listed below, to save information at any time select Save.

To create a DBG online, complete the following steps:

  1. Go to AUSTRAC Online and then log in using your username and password. Select the business account for the entity that wants to start the DBG. This could be any of the businesses that intend to be a member of the DBG.
  2. Select Manage DBG in the Business menu. The DBG page will open a new tab.
  3. Select Create a new DBG.
Designated business group page in AUSTRAC Online with a link to Create a new DBG
  1. Complete the Designated Business Group name and Establishment date fields.
The form for formation of a designated business group
  1. Choose a nominated contact officer (NCO) for the DBG by selecting Select a Nominated Contact Officer and do a name search to find the required person.
The pop up box with a text field for a nominated contact officer and a Search button

 

You can only select an NCO if they’re listed as a contact or user on the AUSTRAC Online business account you’re logged in to. 

Search for either first name, last name or just select Search to view all contacts and users. 

If the NCO isn’t a current user or contact, you’ll need to create them or link them in ‘Manage Contacts’. 

Learn more about managing contacts.

  1. Select the nominated NCO from the search results list by selecting their hyperlinked name. Their details will then be displayed.
The pop up box displays a search result in table format, with columns for name, user ID, and email address
  1. You then need to elect DBG members. If you want to add a business you’re already a user for, select it from the drop-down menu. Or type the legal name of the business in the ‘Business Name’ field and select Add (you need to type the business name in full). Note you may need to supply the ABN or ACN for the business.
In the first image of Elected members section, select existing business field drop down menu showing 3 options to choose from.

 

A second image of Elected members section, a text field to enter new business name and an Add button

Once complete, the elected member will appear under ‘Elected Members’. If you added the business in error, select Remove.

  1. Repeat the above step for each business that forms part of the DBG.

You can save your work at any time by selecting Save.

  1. Once you’ve elected all members of the DBG, select Submit.
  2. A confirmation page will be displayed.
  3. Select Return to go back to Designated Business Group (DBG) Administration.
  4. 'Form 2: Formation of a Designated Business Group' will appear as Incomplete.
  5. Submit a Form 1 for each business to finish creating the DBG.
In the table titled Form 2: formation of a designated business group, showing one entry with a formation status of incomplete, form 1st must be submitted, and a print button in the Action column
  1. Select Print to save a copy of the PDF or to keep a hard copy for your records.

You don’t need to submit a hard copy of Form 2 to us.

Each proposed member of the DBG must complete the following steps to confirm their election. They must each log in to AUSTRAC Online and go to Designated Business Group.

  1. Select Update. This appears under the ‘Form 1: Election to be a Member of a Designated Business Group’ section. 
In the able titled Form 1: election to be a member of a designated business group, one entry with an update button in the Action column
  1.  Select the person who elects the entity to be a member of the DBG using Select Electing Person to search for their name.
Select electing person button under the section Form 1: election to be a member of a designated business group

You can only select someone as the electing person if they’re listed as a user on the AUSTRAC Online business account you’re logged in to. 

Search either via first name, last name or just select Search to view all users.

  1. Select the electing person from the ‘search results list by’. You can do this by selecting their hyperlinked email address. The electing person’s details will then be displayed.
  2. Select the appropriate option to confirm the business’s relationship to other DBG members and select Submit.
  3. On the confirmation page select the hyperlink to go back to the ‘Designated Business Group (DBG) Administration’ page.
  4. The status under 'Form 1: Election to be a Member of a Designated Business Group' will be ‘Complete’.
  5. Select Print to save a copy of the PDF or to print a hard copy for your records.

You don’t need to submit a hard copy of Form 1 to us.

Next steps

Once you’ve completed Form 2 and a Form 1 for each entity, we’ll be notified. There’s no further action you need to take.

We’ll then review and process your DBG formation. We’ll notify you once this is complete. Allow up to 2 weeks for processing.

When your DBG is active, the 'Designated Business Group (DBG) Administration' page will show a status of ‘Active’ against the DBG name.

Variations to a designated business group

AUSTRAC Online allows you to make a variation to a DBG to:

  • withdraw a member
  • elect a new member
  • terminate the entire DBG
  • change the name of the DBG
  • change the NCO.

Variations to a DBG will only take effect after we process the changes.

To make a variation to a DBG:

  1. Go to AUSTRAC Online and then log in using your username and password.
  2. Select Designated Business Group from the ‘My Business’ menu to view the ‘Designated Business Group (DBG) Administration’ page.
  3. Select New Form 3: Variation.
New form 3 variation button under the designated business group administration section
  1. On the following page select the relevant DBG from the drop-down menu (if applicable).
  2. Select the variation type:
  • Withdrawal: remove a member from the DBG
  • Election: elect a new member to join the DBG
  • Terminate: disband the DBG
  • Other – Contact Name: change the NCO
  • Other – DBG Name: change the name of the DBG. 

Before withdrawing a member, make sure the NCO’s details are from another continuing member of the DBG. You can’t withdraw an entity from your DBG if the NCO is one of their users. You may need to change the NCO by changing the Contact Name before you process the Withdrawal.

A drop down list to select the relevant designated business group, followed by Form 3 designated business group variation section
  1. Once you submit your variation a confirmation page will be displayed.
  2. Select the hyperlink to go back to the ‘Designated Business Group (DBG) Administration’ page.
  3. The status under 'Form 3: Variations' will be ‘Pending processing’.
  4. Select Print to save a copy of the PDF or to print a hard copy for your records.

You don’t need to submit a hard copy of Form 3 to us.

Form 3 variations table containing one entry with pending processing status and empty Processed field

Next steps

Once you submit your variation request, we’ll be notified. You don’t need to do anything else.

We’ll then review and process your variation request. We’ll notify you once this is complete. Allow up to 2 weeks for processing.

Form 3 variations table containing one entry with active status and a date in the Processed field

This guidance sets out how we interpret the Act, along with associated Rules and regulations. Australian courts are ultimately responsible for interpreting these laws and determining if any provisions of these laws are contravened. 

The examples and scenarios in this guidance are meant to help explain our interpretation of these laws. They’re not exhaustive or meant to cover every possible scenario.

This guidance provides general information and isn't a substitute for legal advice. This guidance avoids legal language wherever possible and it might include generalisations about the application of the law. Some provisions of the law referred to have exceptions or important qualifications. In most cases your particular circumstances must be taken into account when determining how the law applies to you.

Last updated: 14 Nov 2025
Page ID: 1403

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