AUSTRAC
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre
Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulator and financial intelligence unit. Administers the AML/CTF Act, including Tranche 2 expansion from 1 July 2026.
9
Obligations enforced
25
Enforcement actions tracked
8
Scope topics
Obligations enforced by AUSTRAC (9)
- criticalCWLTHCustomer due diligence (KYC) on every customer
Identify and verify every customer (and beneficial owner) before providing a designated service.
- criticalCWLTHDesignate an AML/CTF Compliance Officer
Reporting entities must designate a senior employee as AML/CTF Compliance Officer.
- criticalCWLTHDetect + enhance due diligence on Domestic + Foreign PEPs
AML/CTF Rules require detection + EDD on Politically Exposed Persons (foreign + domestic + international organisation).
- criticalCWLTHEnrol with AUSTRAC as a reporting entity
Tranche 2 entities must enrol with AUSTRAC by 29 July 2026.
- criticalCWLTHMaintain a written AML/CTF program
Every reporting entity needs a documented AML/CTF program — Part A risk + Part B systems.
- criticalCWLTHSuspicious matter, threshold, and IFTI reporting to AUSTRAC
Lodge SMRs, TTRs ($10K+ cash), and IFTI reports via AUSTRAC Online.
- highCWLTHBusiness records — 7-year retention (Corporations Act + tax)
Companies must retain financial + business records for 7 years.
- highCWLTHCrypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) — implementation 2026-2027
AU adopts the OECD CARF for crypto reporting from 2026; ATO reporting starts 2027.
- highCWLTHIndependent review of AML/CTF program
Reporting entities must arrange independent review of their Part A AML/CTF program at appropriate intervals.
Recent AUSTRAC enforcement
- media release2026AUSTRAC steps in on suspected AML weaknesses at NSW club
AUSTRAC media release 2026-05-21: AUSTRAC steps in on suspected AML weaknesses at NSW club. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026AUSTRAC releases updated risk snapshot of Australia’s financial crime landscape
AUSTRAC media release 2026-05-12: AUSTRAC releases updated risk snapshot of Australia’s financial crime landscape. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026AUSTRAC steps up supervision of virtual assets sector as reforms take effect
AUSTRAC media release 2026-05-08: AUSTRAC steps up supervision of virtual assets sector as reforms take effect. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026Banks step up to disrupt illicit tobacco profits
AUSTRAC media release 2026-04-14: Banks step up to disrupt illicit tobacco profits. See source URL for full statement.
- external audit notice2026AUSTRAC directs audit of payment platform over AML/CTF concerns
AUSTRAC media release 2026-04-02: AUSTRAC directs audit of payment platform over AML/CTF concerns. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026Public register makes it harder for criminals to launder money through crypto
AUSTRAC media release 2026-04-02: Public register makes it harder for criminals to launder money through crypto. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026AUSTRAC opens enrolment for new professions in next step for AML reforms
AUSTRAC media release 2026-03-31: AUSTRAC opens enrolment for new professions in next step for AML reforms. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026AUSTRAC publishes guidance on use of new compulsory examination powers
AUSTRAC media release 2026-03-05: AUSTRAC publishes guidance on use of new compulsory examination powers. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026AUSTRAC backs newly regulated sectors with release of AML/CTF program starter kits
AUSTRAC media release 2026-01-30: AUSTRAC backs newly regulated sectors with release of AML/CTF program starter kits. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026Fintel Alliance identifies buyers of Australian-produced child exploitation material
AUSTRAC media release 2026-01-28: Fintel Alliance identifies buyers of Australian-produced child exploitation material. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2026AUSTRAC orders audit of Airwallex for suspected AML/CTF compliance failures
AUSTRAC media release 2026-01-22: AUSTRAC orders audit of Airwallex for suspected AML/CTF compliance failures. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2025APRA and AUSTRAC take action in response to risk management deficiencies at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
AUSTRAC media release 2025-12-18: APRA and AUSTRAC take action in response to risk management deficiencies at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2025AUSTRAC refuses registration renewal for remitter, Raiyyan Exchange
AUSTRAC media release 2025-12-15: AUSTRAC refuses registration renewal for remitter, Raiyyan Exchange. See source URL for full statement.
- civil penalty2025AUSTRAC launches civil penalty proceedings for missed compliance reports
AUSTRAC media release 2025-12-11: AUSTRAC launches civil penalty proceedings for missed compliance reports. See source URL for full statement.
- external audit notice2025AUSTRAC — Concise statement - Castra Licensee Pty Ltd
AUSTRAC published document (Concise statement - Castra Licensee Pty Ltd) on its enforcement-actions-taken register in 2025-12.
- external audit notice2025AUSTRAC — Concise statement - Princeton Securities (NSW) Pty Ltd
AUSTRAC published document (Concise statement - Princeton Securities (NSW) Pty Ltd) on its enforcement-actions-taken register in 2025-12.
- media release2025Payment platforms warned about child sexual exploitation risks
AUSTRAC media release 2025-11-19: Payment platforms warned about child sexual exploitation risks. See source URL for full statement.
- external audit notice2025AUSTRAC — Concise Statement in Response - Entain group pty ltd
AUSTRAC published document (Concise Statement in Response - Entain group pty ltd) on its enforcement-actions-taken register in 2025-11.
- external audit notice2025AUSTRAC — Defence (public version) - Entain group pty ltd
AUSTRAC published document (Defence (public version) - Entain group pty ltd) on its enforcement-actions-taken register in 2025-11.
- media release2025AUSTRAC cracks down on Cryptolink for late reporting
AUSTRAC media release 2025-10-30: AUSTRAC cracks down on Cryptolink for late reporting. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2025AUSTRAC releases guidance for current and new reporting entities
AUSTRAC media release 2025-10-17: AUSTRAC releases guidance for current and new reporting entities. See source URL for full statement.
- media release2025Powers proposed to tackle high-risk products services and channels
AUSTRAC media release 2025-10-16: Powers proposed to tackle high-risk products services and channels. See source URL for full statement.
- enforceable undertaking2025AUSTRAC — Cryptolink - Redacted and Signed Enforceable Undertaking
AUSTRAC published document (Cryptolink - Redacted and Signed Enforceable Undertaking) on its enforcement-actions-taken register in 2025-10.
- infringement2025AUSTRAC — Cryptolink Pty Ltd Signed Infringement Notice
AUSTRAC published document (Cryptolink Pty Ltd Signed Infringement Notice) on its enforcement-actions-taken register in 2025-10.
- media release2025AUSTRAC urges financial services look out for child exploitation transactions
AUSTRAC media release 2025-09-15: AUSTRAC urges financial services look out for child exploitation transactions. See source URL for full statement.
Scope topics
Parent legislation
Source: regulator's own website. Rules Mate links and summarises — we don't republish full statutory text.