AUSTRAC enrolment and registration — what, when, how
How to get your agency on the AUSTRAC register and the deadlines that apply.
There are two separate concepts in AUSTRAC's system: enrolment and registration. Enrolment is required for all reporting entities. Registration is an additional layer that applies to specific services (mainly remittance and digital currency exchange) and does not apply to real estate.
Real estate agencies need to enrol — not register.
Under the AML/CTF Act 2006 (Cth), a reporting entity must enrol with AUSTRAC within 28 days of first providing a designated service. For real estate agencies starting from the 1 July 2026 commencement, that means enrolling on or before 28 July 2026 if you provide a designated service on day one. Most agencies will sign listings on or before 1 July, so enrolment should be completed in advance.
Enrolment is done through AUSTRAC Online (online.austrac.gov.au). You will need:
- Your ABN and ACN
- Legal entity name and trading names
- Business address and contact details
- Names, dates of birth, and addresses of directors and beneficial owners
- Details of the AML/CTF Compliance Officer (the natural person responsible for compliance)
- A description of the designated services your agency provides
- Estimated transaction volumes
Enrolment itself is free. AUSTRAC may issue a unique reference number once enrolment is processed, which you will use on every report you file thereafter.
Once enrolled, your agency must keep its details current — material changes (new directors, change of address, change of Compliance Officer) must be notified to AUSTRAC, generally within 14 days. Failure to enrol on time, or operating without enrolment, is itself a contravention attracting civil penalties.
Every reporting entity will need to maintain enrolment data, programme documentation, and reporting credentials for the lifetime of the agency, with seven-year archival of every record generated under the programme.
What to do next: Create an AUSTRAC Online account now, gather the entity and director information you will need, and diarise enrolment for the week before 1 July 2026.