This year, AUSTRAC has strengthened its efforts to protect the Australian community from financially enabled crime while expanding our mandate through regulatory reform and transformation. Partnership and cooperation remain at the heart of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime. Only by working together can we reduce the harm of financial crime.

Reform and realignment

Australia is undergoing the most significant overhaul of its AML/CTF laws in a generation. In 2026, critical reforms will modernise our regulatory framework to meet international standards, shifting from tick-box compliance to an outcomes-based approach and expanding the regime to new sectors.

Key changes include:

• Reforms to the tipping-off offence, which are already in place.
• New information gathering powers, also already in place.
• New obligations for currently regulated businesses from 31 March 2026.
• The inclusion of tranche 2 entities (lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, conveyancers and dealers in precious metals and stones) under the AML/CTF regime on 1 July 2026.

In July, AUSTRAC released its Regulatory Expectations and Priorities for 2025–26, providing clarity on obligations and risk management. We have also published AML/CTF Rules and Reforms Guidance, developed in consultation with industry.

We’ve also worked with many of you on these products and appreciate the time and energy you have given to provide insights and feedback to co-design these regulatory tools with us. 

Our next milestone will be the delivery of sector-specific guidance and starter kits in late January 2026, to reduce costs and help smaller businesses establish ready-to-go AML/CTF programs.

Looking ahead to 2026

The enrolment of tranche 2 entities begins 31 March, with obligations commencing 1 July. As we move into this next stage, we’ll continue working with you to develop resources, share insights, and build confidence across all affected sectors. We are here to support you and are rolling out a public awareness campaign to help the community understand the important role you play in protecting Australia from financially enabled crime. For new regulated businesses, our focus will be on helping you build strong foundational capabilities – staff training, risk awareness, and robust AML/CTF programs – rather than perfection on day one.

I appreciate there’s been a lot of change and 2026 will bring more as new obligations come into place. I assure you that we are here to help. 

Thank you

I would like to acknowledge and thank you all for your ongoing commitment and support this year as we prepare for the upcoming regulatory reforms. Your efforts in helping to keep our community safe, and your tireless contributions to consultations, guidance development, and forums, have been invaluable. Your support has been essential, and we thank you for your partnership, dedication and trust.

It’s been a productive year, and we look forward to working closely with you all again in 2026 as we transition to the new AML/CTF Act.