New AML + CTF property laws
have arrived.
If you are buying or selling property in South Australia from 1 July 2026, you will notice a new layer of identity and source-of-funds checks at the start of every transaction. Here is what is changing, why it matters, and how we keep your sale or purchase moving without drama.
Tranche 2 obligations commence 1 July 2026 — verification required before listing or contract.
The context
What the Tranche 2 AUSTRAC reforms actually do.
From 1 July 2026, Australia extends the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 to cover real estate agents, conveyancers, solicitors and accountants. These are the so-called "gatekeeper" professions that sit at the front door of every property transaction.
Until now, the heavy lifting on identity and funds checks has sat almost entirely with the banks. Under the new framework, supervised by AUSTRAC (the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre), real estate professionals are formally responsible for verifying who they are acting for, confirming where the money is coming from, and reporting genuinely suspicious activity.
For everyday South Australian sellers and buyers, that means a slightly more structured start to a transaction — and a much more transparent system once it is underway.
For sellers
What homeowners will be asked to provide.
Before we can list, market or sign you to an agency agreement, we are required to confirm who you are and that you have the right to sell the property. In most cases this takes minutes from your phone.
- Identity verification — Standard 100-point ID, typically a driver's licence or passport plus a Medicare card, to confirm your full name, date of birth and current address.
- Proof you can sell — A Certificate of Title, recent council rates notice or land registry search to confirm you are the registered proprietor.
- Companies, trusts & SMSFs — If the property is held through an entity, we need the company or trust details and ID for anyone holding 25% or more beneficial ownership.
- Power of attorney or estate — If you are selling under a POA or as executor, we verify the underlying legal documents before the property goes to market.
Worth knowing: without these basic checks completed, we are not permitted to list, advertise or sell the property. Sorting it on day one avoids any delay later.
For buyers
What purchasers will need to disclose.
Buyers can expect a short, structured review of who is buying and where the funds are coming from. For a typical owner-occupier with finance approval, it is genuinely simple.
- Source of funds & wealth — A clear picture of where deposit and settlement funds come from: pre-approved finance, savings, the sale of another asset, an inheritance or business proceeds.
- Nominee & entity buyers — If purchasing in a company, trust or nominee structure, the ultimate beneficial owners need to be identified so the contract is not anonymous on paper.
- PEP screening — A routine check against politically-exposed-persons registers. For the vast majority of buyers it returns nothing and adds no friction.
Key dates
The compliance calendar at a glance.
Agencies, conveyancers and legal firms finalise systems, staff training and digital ID tooling. Early adopters already verifying.
Tranche 2 obligations under the AML/CTF Act commence. Verification required before listing, marketing or signing a contract.
AUSTRAC supervises gatekeepers, with civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance. Cash and bank-draft transactions of $10,000+ continue to trigger reporting thresholds.
Common questions
Frequently asked.
Why is my agent suddenly asking for ID?
Because from 1 July 2026, real estate professionals are federally required to verify who they are acting for. It is the same standard your bank already applies.
Will this slow my settlement down?
Not if it is done up front. Most checks now run digitally from your phone in a few minutes and are completed well before settlement.
Is my information secure?
We use accredited digital ID platforms with bank-grade encryption and only hold the records required by law. Your details are never shared casually.
What if a buyer or seller refuses?
We are legally unable to list, market or transact without the required verification. In practice, refusing simply means the deal cannot proceed.
Does this apply to trusts, companies and SMSFs?
Yes. Entity-held property has always been allowed, but the people behind the entity now need to be clearly identified.
How we help
A calm, digital, low-friction process.
At tonylawson exp & HOSO we treat compliance the way we treat the rest of the transaction — clearly, quietly and without pressure. Identity is verified in minutes from your phone, source-of-funds questions are explained in plain English, and your listing or purchase keeps moving on the timeline we agreed.
If you are thinking about selling or buying in 2026, the simplest thing you can do today is make sure your ID and ownership paperwork are easy to find. We will take it from there.
Talk to tonylawson exp & HOSO
TONYLAWSON PROPERTY & PRESTIGE · ABN 42 674 393 027 · RLA 352636
This article is general information only and not legal, financial or taxation advice. For advice specific to your situation, please speak to your solicitor, conveyancer or accountant.