What the guidance covers
- Which services are designated, sector by sector, with worked examples and when the service starts.
- Enrolment, the compliance officer and governance for sole traders and micro businesses.
- What an AML/CTF program must contain: risk assessment, policies, review and independent evaluation.
- Customer due diligence, including beneficial ownership, politically exposed persons, delayed due diligence and existing customers.
- Reporting obligations and the deadlines, including legal professional privilege.
- Record keeping and training.
How to use them
- Read the sector page for your profession end to end once.
- Use the designated services section to decide whether you are covered.
- Build your program from your own answers, using the program guidance to check nothing is missing.
- Keep a link to the guidance in your program and re-check it when AUSTRAC updates it.
Where this site fits
This guide summarises and cross-references; the sector sites in our group go deeper for accountants, real estate and legal practices. None of it replaces the primary source. When AUSTRAC updates its guidance, we note it here.
Questions people ask
- Is AUSTRAC guidance legally binding?
- Guidance explains the law and how AUSTRAC applies it; the Act and the Rules are what bind you. Following guidance is the safest way to comply.
Sources
Official AUSTRAC guidance this page was checked against. The date is when we captured the page; AUSTRAC may have updated it since.
- Preparing for the changes if you’re newly regulated · AUSTRAC, captured 27 Dec 2025
- Reforms guidance · AUSTRAC, captured 11 Dec 2025
- Professional services (Reform) · AUSTRAC, captured 29 Dec 2025
- Real estate services (Reform) · AUSTRAC, captured 27 Dec 2025
- Precious metals, stones and products services (Reform) · AUSTRAC, captured 05 Dec 2025