Who needs to register?
If your business provides any “designated service” under the amended AML/CTF Act, you must register with AUSTRAC. This includes:
- Accountants, tax agents, and BAS agents who provide designated services (company formation, trust management, financial arrangements)
- Lawyers and conveyancers involved in property transactions, company formation, or managing client assets
- Real estate agents involved in buying or selling property
- Dealers in precious metals and stones (transactions of $10,000+)
Not sure if you need to register? Use our free compliance check to find out in 30 seconds.
Registration deadline
29 July 2026
All new Tranche 2 reporting entities must be registered by this date. Registration is free.
The compliance date for AML/CTF obligations is 1 July 2026 (you must have your AML/CTF program in place by then). AUSTRAC allows a 28-day grace period for enrolment, so you must enrol by 29 July 2026. We strongly recommend enrolling as soon as possible so everything is in place.
Step-by-step registration process
Step 1: Gather your information
Before starting, you will need:
- Your Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Business contact details (address, phone, email)
- Details of your designated services — which services you provide that fall under the AML/CTF Act
- Name and contact details of your AML/CTF compliance officer (this can be the business owner for small businesses)
- Your business structure (sole trader, partnership, company, trust)
Step 2: Create an AUSTRAC Online account
Go to AUSTRAC Online and create an account if you don't already have one. You will need a myGovID (not the same as a myGov account) linked to your ABN through the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM).
Important: Setting up myGovID and RAM can take several days if you don't already have them. Start this process early.
Step 3: Complete the registration form
In AUSTRAC Online, navigate to the registration section:
- Business details — confirm your ABN, business name, and contact information
- Designated services — select which services your business provides from the list. Be accurate — selecting services you don't provide creates unnecessary obligations, and missing services you do provide is non-compliance
- Compliance officer — nominate the person responsible for your AML/CTF program. For sole traders, this is typically yourself
- Business structure — provide details of your legal structure, including directors and beneficial owners for companies
- Declaration — confirm that the information is accurate and that you understand your obligations
Step 4: Submit and receive confirmation
After submitting, AUSTRAC will process your registration and send a confirmation. Keep your AUSTRAC registration number — you will need it for filing reports (SMRs, TTRs) and for your AML/CTF program records.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the last minute — myGovID and RAM setup can take days. Start at least 4 weeks before the deadline
- Wrong designated services — carefully review which services apply to your business. Accountants often miss trust administration; lawyers often miss conveyancing
- Not appointing a compliance officer — even sole traders need to formally nominate someone (themselves)
- Registering but not building an AML/CTF program — registration alone does not make you compliant. You need a written AML/CTF program in place
- Forgetting to update — if your business details change (new services, new office, change of compliance officer), you must update your registration
After registration: what next?
Registration is just the first step. To operate compliantly, you must also have:
- A written AML/CTF program (Part A: systems and controls, Part B: employee training)
- Customer due diligence procedures ready to implement
- Staff trained on their AML/CTF obligations
- Processes for filing SMRs and TTRs with AUSTRAC
AML Mate helps you complete all of these steps. Our guided wizard generates your AML/CTF program, and the platform manages client KYC, screening, reporting, and training — all in one place.