Skip to content
Sectors · Real estate

AML/CTF requirements for Australian real estate agents

From 1 July 2026, real estate businesses can be reporting entities when they provide the designated real-estate services covered by the AML/CTF Act.

Scope

Am I in scope?

You may be in scope where you act as an agent in the buying, selling or transfer of real estate, or provide related designated services.

Whether your business is a reporting entity depends on the designated services you provide — not on having an ABN or being based in Australia. Check AUSTRAC’s sector guidance, and seek professional advice for your situation.

For authoritative sector guidance, see AUSTRAC’s real estate guidance.

Sector explainer

Real estate professionals — what the law actually asks

You are not covered because you are an agent — you are covered because of one specific service, in the Act’s own words. What the law asks of a real estate agency, from the everyday gate to the records.

Read the transcript, with the law quoted
What follows

If you provide a designated service

The next step is not a generic checklist. The reporting entity needs an AML/CTF program appropriate to its business and risks, and must apply the customer due diligence, training, reporting, review and record-keeping obligations relevant to the services it provides.

How Lex-AML helps real estate professionals

Build an AML/CTF program designed around agency workflows.
Onboard buyers and sellers with a clear, consistent due diligence process.
Keep buyer and seller CDD records, evidence and decision history together.
Train your people

AML/CTF training built for real estate

People performing functions relevant to your AML/CTF obligations need training appropriate to their role, risks and responsibilities. Lex-AML Academy teaches the core regime and includes sector-specific lessons built around the AUSTRAC material used by your profession.

See the AUSTRAC program starter kits
Free for everyone

Foundations — the first 15 lessons on why the regime exists and how it works — is free for every person in your practice, with a module certificate at the end.

The full course

All 148 lessons, every assessment, certificates and the training record — AUD $199 + GST per learner for 12 months.

FAQ

Common questions

Are real estate agencies reporting entities?
Real estate professionals may be in scope where they act as an agent in the buying, selling or transfer of real estate, or provide related designated services. Scope depends on the services you provide; check AUSTRAC’s real estate guidance and seek professional advice.
How does Lex-AML help real estate agencies?
Lex-AML is being built to help you set up an AML/CTF program around agency workflows, onboard buyers and sellers with a clear, consistent due diligence process, and keep the records, evidence and decision history together.
Does Lex-AML decide whether a buyer or seller passes?
No. The Customer Portal collects information and your workspace structures it for review. Your team makes every customer due diligence decision.

Lex-AML supports compliance workflows and record keeping. It does not provide legal advice, does not guarantee compliance, and does not replace professional judgement or advice from a qualified AML/CTF adviser or legal professional.

See Lex-AML for real estate professionals

Book a demo to see the current Lex-AML preview, discuss your sector workflow and understand how the product is being developed.

Book a demo