From 1 July 2026, Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws will expand in a way that many businesses and individuals will begin to notice.
These changes, referred to as the AML Tranche 2 reforms, are not aimed at everyday transactions. However, if you engage professional services such as accounting, legal, property or business structuring advice, you may notice some changes in how we work with you.
This article outlines what you can expect, why these changes are being introduced, and how to prepare.
Why these changes are being introduced
The Australian Government is strengthening AML/CTF laws to reduce the risk of:
- money laundering
- terrorism financing
- misuse of companies, trusts and property transactions
Professional services are often involved in structuring, transactions and investment activity. While this is a normal and important part of doing business, these areas can also be misused. The reforms are designed to address these risks and align Australia with international standards.
Will this affect you?
You are not being directly regulated under these changes. However, you may be impacted if you:
- operate a business
- invest in property
- use companies or trusts
- undertake structural changes or transactions
- engage professional advisors on more complex matters
In practical terms, if your affairs go beyond basic compliance, you may notice some additional steps being introduced.
What you may notice as an Advivo client
From 1 July 2026, you may experience a more structured process when we commence or continue certain work with you.
We may need to confirm your identity, understand ownership structures and, in some cases, ask where funds involved in transactions originate. This may involve providing identification documents or details about related entities and stakeholders.
You may also notice that we ask more questions upfront, particularly when setting up or restructuring entities, managing significant transactions or dealing with more complex matters. This is not about mistrust — it is a requirement to ensure we understand the purpose and context of the work before proceeding.
For more complex situations, there may occasionally be additional time required. This can arise where structures involve multiple entities, overseas parties or higher-risk considerations. In these cases, we may need to complete further checks before moving forward.
For ongoing advisory relationships, there may also be periodic requests to confirm or update your details. This is part of maintaining accurate records over time.
What will not change
It is equally important to understand what remains the same.
Your tax obligations do not change, and you are not required to report anything directly to AUSTRAC. Our role as your advisor remains focused on acting in your best interests, and professional confidentiality continues to apply.
These reforms relate to how we manage risk and compliance behind the scenes, not to your day-to-day financial activities.
Why this is a positive step
While these changes may introduce additional steps, they also bring broader benefits.
They help strengthen the integrity of business and property transactions, reduce the risk of misuse of structures, and support greater confidence when dealing with lenders, investors and counterparties.
They also bring Australia into closer alignment with global standards, which is increasingly important for businesses operating across borders.
How you can prepare
There are a few simple steps you can take to make this transition smoother:
- keep identification and business records up to date
- maintain a clear understanding of your ownership and control structures
- be prepared to provide information when requested
- allow additional time for more complex transactions from July 2026
If you are planning any significant changes, such as a restructure or property transaction, it may be worthwhile to discuss this with us in advance.
How we will support you
Our role is to guide you through these changes in a way that is clear and practical.
We will explain what is required and why, work to minimise disruption, and ensure compliance while keeping your objectives front of mind.
If you would like to understand how these reforms may apply to your specific situation, please contact our team.
