Australia is expanding its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime in 2026. The changes will capture additional professional services (often called “Tranche 2”), including parts of the accounting and advisory ecosystem. For Brisbane and Queensland SMEs, this will change how certain transactions are planned and executed.
Key Dates (confirmed)
- 31 March 2026 – amendments commence for existing reporting entities under the AML/CTF Act.
- 1 July 2026 – obligations commence for new “Tranche 2” entities, which include accountants (when providing designated services), lawyers, real estate professionals, conveyancers, dealers in precious metals/stones, and trust & company service providers.
AUSTRAC states: “From 1 July 2026 new services and entities, known as tranche 2, will come under our regulation.”
What this means for business owners
If you engage professionals to help with higher-risk transactions, expect stronger evidence and identity checks before work proceeds. Typical scenarios include: acquisitions or disposals, restructures of companies or trusts, JV or property development structures, and significant related-party capital movements. Professionals providing designated services will need to verify beneficial ownership, the source of funds, and the economic purpose of the activity, and maintain ongoing monitoring and records.
Why this is happening
The reforms align Australia with global AML/CTF standards that already apply in many G20 nations and respond to known risks in professional-facilitated transactions. The Department of Home Affairs and AUSTRAC have confirmed the legislative changes and the staged commencement dates.
How Brisbane & Queensland SMEs will feel the change
Queensland’s high rate of interstate migration and common use of trust/corporate structures in private business mean these reforms will most often surface when you are:
- preparing a business for succession or sale
- undertaking group restructures or setting up new entities/JVs
- developing property via unit trusts or SPVs
- moving capital between related entities or onboarding private investors
These activities won’t stop—but they will require more documentation up-front. Building this into timelines will reduce friction and cost.
Practical steps to take in 2025
- Clean ownership records
Ensure shareholder/unit holder registers and trust deeds clearly identify beneficial owners. - Document the “why”
Record the economic rationale for significant fund movements and structural changes. - Prepare for modern ID & CDD
Expect secure digital verification rather than emailed IDs; be ready to provide supporting documents promptly. - Allow time in deals
Add lead-time for client due diligence (CDD), risk assessment, and any follow-up queries. - Talk to your advisors early
If you’re planning a transaction after March/July 2026, start assembling documents now so work can proceed without delay.
Our commitment
We’re aligning our client-onboarding and transaction processes with AUSTRAC’s guidance so that your transactions can proceed efficiently and compliantly when the reforms commence. If you have a deal or restructure on the horizon, we can outline exactly what documents will be needed and when.
