New AML/CTF compliance requirements are in effect from 1 Jul

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Starting from 1 July 2026, you may be required to provide some additional identity, ownership or source of funds documentation when you work with us (or any conveyancer/lawyer) particularly when buying or selling a property.

From 1 July 2026, new federal laws will require Australian law & conveyancing firms to comply with Australia’s Anti‑Money Laundering and Counter‑Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime.

Under these laws, we are required to complete AML/CTF checks before we can provide certain services.

In practice, this means we must:

• verify the identity of our clients
• understand who owns or controls the entities we act for
• understand the purpose of each matter or transaction
• assess and document ML/TF risks
• keep clear and accurate records of our decisions

We are legally required to complete these checks before we can provide certain services. The checks we complete are risk‑based. The level of information we request will be proportionate to the associated ML/TF risk.

Money laundering is a significant issue in Australia. Criminals use legitimate businesses to more or disguise billions of dollars in illegal funds each year. These funds fuel:

• drug trafficking
• human exploitation
• terrorism
• large-scale financial fraud

Stronger controls helps stop criminal networks from using legitimate professional services to move or hide illicit money. Every identity check and risk assessment contributes to protecting our clients, our industry and our community.

 Not every matter involves the same level of checking. Clients are more likely to notice additional requirements where an engagement relates to:

• basic sale/purchase conveyancing matters 
• corporate and commercial matters
• matters involving client funds, trusts or SMSFs, or layered entity structures

 Depending on the matter type and situation, we may request:

• identification documents
• details of who owns or controls an entity (for example, beneficial owners or controlling parties)
• information about the transaction, including where funds are coming from and the purpose of the transaction

In some cases, we may need updated information if circumstances change during a matter. We will only ask for information that is relevant to the work we are doing.

 You can help minimise delays by:

• allowing a little extra time at the start of new matters, particularly for time‑critical transactions
• having identification documents ready
• responding promptly if we request information

In some cases, we may contact clients ahead of 1 July 2026 to complete checks early and reduce delays once the regime commences.

We take privacy and data security seriously. Any information you provide is handled in accordance with:

• Australian privacy laws
• our professional confidentiality obligations
• strict AML/CTF regulatory requirements

Your data is used only for identity verification, compliance checks and onboarding purposes. We do not share information for marketing, and we do not sell or trade client data. All documents and personal details are stored securely, accessed only by authorised staff, and protected through encrypted systems and controlled processes.