Who must lodge the AUSTRAC annual compliance report (AML/CTF Act s 47)?

Every reporting entity must lodge an annual compliance report with AUSTRAC; the first financial-year period runs 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, due by 30 September 2027.

Section 47 of the AML/CTF Act requires a reporting entity to give the AUSTRAC CEO, within the lodgment period, a report on its compliance with the Act, the regulations and the AML/CTF Rules during the reporting period (Rules s 9-9). AUSTRAC has moved the reporting period to financial years: the next period is 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and reports are lodged between 1 July and 30 September each year. For Tranche 2 businesses (real estate, accountants, lawyers, conveyancers, trust and company service providers, precious metals dealers) that began providing designated services from 1 July 2026, the first report therefore covers their first year and is due by 30 September 2027. Reports are submitted in AUSTRAC Online by a user listed as an administrator. Businesses whose only designated services are item 54 arrangements by an AFSL holder are exempt (s 47(5)).

Applies when the business has an AML/CTF designated service. Where the business has aml adjacent, check whether you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).

How the regulator frames it: Every enrolled AML/CTF reporting entity, including Tranche 2 businesses from 1 July 2026, unless exempt (item 54-only AFSL holders, or a specific AUSTRAC exemption).

What triggers it: Being a reporting entity at any time during the reporting period.

Jurisdiction: Commonwealth law, so the test is the same in every state and territory.

Outcome across the 35 industries Rules Mate maps (8 of 35: yes; 27 of 35: no).

Structure does not change the answer in the 8 industries it can reach: for every structure the answer is "yes".

Size does not change the answer in the 8 industries it can reach: at every size band the answer is "yes".

Each line is one run of the Rules Mate applicability engine for a single business profile, with the reason the engine gives:

• Pty Ltd company in real estate agents with 6–19 employees, turnover $1M–$3M: applies. Tranche 2 industry (Real estate agents) — AML/CTF reporting entity from 1 July 2026.
• Pty Ltd company in fintech (non-bank) with 6–19 employees, turnover $1M–$3M: does not apply. Requires an AML/CTF designated service.

Starting from a small or large professional services company that does not otherwise meet the test, each of these single facts changes the engine's answer:

• The business holds an Australian financial services licence (AFSL): it becomes worth checking, because it applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).
• The business issues financial products or gives financial product advice: it becomes worth checking, because it applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).
• The business holds an Australian credit licence (ACL): it becomes worth checking, because it applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).
• The business provides credit to customers: it becomes worth checking, because it applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).
• The business deals in crypto-assets or runs a digital currency exchange: it then applies (digital currency exchange / virtual asset services — AML/CTF reporting entity).
• The business receives large physical cash payments: it becomes worth checking, because it applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).
• The business makes or receives international funds transfers: it becomes worth checking, because it applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3).

The engine shows this obligation as "check whether this applies" when a business has aml adjacent. It then applies only if you provide an AML/CTF designated service (AML/CTF Act s 6 tables 1–3). That fact is not something Rules Mate can infer from industry, structure or size.

When due

Annually between 1 July and 30 September for the financial year just ended. First Tranche 2 report: period 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027, due 30 September 2027.

Frequency

Annual

Evidence to keep

Lodged compliance report and AUSTRAC Online receipt; the evidence behind each answer (AML/CTF program and approvals, risk assessment reviews, CDD records, SMR/TTR lodgment records, training records, independent evaluation report or schedule); AUSTRAC Online administrator nominated.

In force from

30 September 2027

Status

Current

Priority

High

Maximum penalty: Section 47(2) is a civil penalty provision: up to $36.4M (body corporate) or $7.28M (other persons) per contravention. AUSTRAC can also issue an infringement notice of $21,840 (company) or $4,368 (individual), or a remedial direction. In May 2026 the Federal Court ordered two securities firms that did not pay AUSTRAC infringement notices for missed 2023 compliance reports to pay $50,000 and $45,000 plus costs.

Rules Mate has not yet classified the audit or assurance level for this obligation. Any audit, review or certification requirement is set by the regulator source listed below.

If this obligation applies to you, so do these 7: the engine uses the same rule for each.

• Enrol with AUSTRAC as a reporting entity
• Maintain a written AML/CTF program
• Customer due diligence (KYC) on every customer
• Suspicious matter, threshold, and IFTI reporting to AUSTRAC
• Independent review of AML/CTF program
• Designate an AML/CTF Compliance Officer
• Detect + enhance due diligence on Domestic + Foreign PEPs

Across the 1,890 business profiles Rules Mate evaluates, these obligations apply to most of the businesses this one applies to, and are far more common among them than among businesses generally:

• Comply with Australian sanctions law + screening (DFAT): applies to 100% of the same businesses (4.4× the overall rate)

Rules Mate tracks 8 published obligations tagged "aml ctf", 6 of them rated critical. For a professional services Pty Ltd company with 6–19 employees operating in every state, 0 of those apply outright. This obligation is rated high priority, and is a annual obligation.

Regulated by Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre.

AUSTRAC: 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.

• Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre

AML/CTF Act: Federal AML/CTF regulation.

• Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006

Free tools that help with this obligation:

• AML Tranche 2 scope checker
• Beneficial owner identifier
• Compliance calendar builder