Australia’s updated anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws took effect on 31 March 2026, introducing updated obligations for existing reporting entities.
While your core AML/CTF responsibilities remain the same, some obligations and requirements have been updated. Your core responsibilities will continue to include:
- managing ML/TF risks
- maintaining an effective AML/CTF program
- reporting suspicious matters.
What you need to do now
If you were enrolled with us on or before 30 March 2026, you must:
- Update your enrolment details in AUSTRAC Online: If you’re a virtual asset service provider, you must update your enrolment details by 29 July 2026. Find out what you’ll need to prepare for the enrolment forms.
- Develop and document an implementation plan in place if needed: If you can’t meet your updated obligations by the required date, you must have a documented implementation plan in place that explains:
- how you’re managing money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing (ML/TF) risks during the transition
- what gaps you’ve identified
- how you’ll address them.
- Show sustained effort and progress against your implementation plan and continue to manage your ML/TF risks through the changes, including any short-term improvements.
Key changes to the AML/CTF Rules
- New transitional rules: provide additional time for certain obligations depending on your circumstances. You can use this time to update your systems, processes and AML/CTF program.
- Amendments to the AML/CTF rules: include changes to reporting groups, technical requirements, exemptions and other areas.
- Travel rule changes: financial institutions, remitters and virtual asset service providers may need to collect, verify and share customer information when transferring or receiving funds or virtual assets. Travel rule quick guides are available for:
Guidance and education resources
We have released a range of practical guidance and education resources to help you understand the updated requirements.
This includes:
- e-learning modules on AML/CTF fundamentals and governance
- customer due diligence (CDD) webinars
- animated videos covering governance expectations, risk assessments and the role and responsibilities of a compliance officer.
We will take a pragmatic and proportionate approach as businesses transition to the new requirements. However, reporting entities are expected to continue actively managing their ML/TF risks and work towards full compliance.