Real Estate
AML Compliance for Real Estate Professionals
Industry solutions
From 1 July 2026, real estate agents, property managers, and developers will be subject to Australia's AML/CTF regime.
As gatekeepers to high-value property transactions, the real estate industry plays a critical role in preventing money laundering.
AML Shield provides tailored solutions to help real estate professionals meet their new compliance obligations without disrupting their core business activities.
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Why Real Estate is High Risk
Understanding the risks
Real estate is globally recognised as high-risk for money laundering. Australia's property market is particularly attractive for illicit funds due to:
Property can integrate large sums quickly
Values can be manipulated to layer funds
Trusts and companies can obscure ownership
Cross-border transactions layer funds
Renovations and developments often involve cash
Did You Know?
According to AUSTRAC, real estate is one of the highest-risk sectors for money laundering in Australia.
The industry will face significant new obligations from July 2026.
Your New Obligations
What you need to do
AML/CTF Program
Develop and maintain an AML/CTF program tailored to your real estate business.
Customer Due Diligence
Verify the identity of buyers, sellers, and beneficial owners before transactions.
Beneficial Ownership
Identify who really owns or controls entities involved in property transactions.
Ongoing Monitoring
Monitor transactions and customer relationships for suspicious activity.
Reporting
Report suspicious matters to AUSTRAC when identified.
Record Keeping
Maintain records for 7 years as required by legislation.
Red Flags to Watch For
Warning signs
Training your team to recognise potential money laundering indicators is essential. Look out for:
- Cash buyers or buyers with unusual funding sources
- Buyers who seem unconcerned about price
- Complex ownership structures without clear business purpose
- Reluctance to provide identification or source of funds
- Third parties controlling the transaction
- Unusual urgency to complete transactions
- Properties bought and sold quickly (flipping)
- Purchasers from high-risk jurisdictions
- Use of multiple nominees or shell companies
How We Help
Our solutions
Consultancy
We develop AML/CTF programs specifically designed for real estate businesses.
Learn moreReady to prepare your real estate business?
Contact us for a free consultation on your Tranche 2 compliance needs.
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