What are AML/CTF laws?
From 1 July 2026, Australian law firms must comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws when providing certain legal services.
These laws are designed to help prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation financing and other serious financial crime.
As a result, we may need to complete additional checks before we can start work, progress a transaction or provide certain legal services.
What information may we ask for?
Depending on the matter, we may ask you to:
- verify your identity;
- confirm your contact details;
- explain the nature and purpose of the matter;
- confirm who has authority to give instructions or sign documents;
- provide information about a company, trust, SMSF, partnership, association, estate or other entity involved in the matter;
- provide documents showing who owns, controls or can act for an entity;
- provide information about the source of funds or source of wealth where required;
- keep your details up to date during our relationship.
- Where an entity is involved, we may need to identify and, where required, verify persons such as directors, company secretaries, trustees, attorneys, partners, executors, administrators, authorised representatives, beneficial owners or controllers.
We may also need to obtain information from other sources, including company searches, title searches, government registers and other verification services.
How is identity verification completed?
We use InfoTrack to assist with identity verification and AML/CTF customer due diligence.
If verification is required, you may receive an email or SMS asking you to complete an InfoTrack verification process. You may be asked to answer questions and upload identity documents, such as photo identification.
Please complete the verification process promptly. Delays in completing verification may delay the start or progress of your matter.
How is your information handled?
We collect and use information in accordance with our legal, professional and privacy obligations.
Information collected for AML/CTF purposes may be used to complete identity, authority, screening, risk assessment and due diligence checks.
In some cases, the law may require us to make a report to AUSTRAC or another authority. In those circumstances, we may be legally prohibited from telling you that a report has been made or considered.
Further information about how we handle personal information is set out in our Privacy Policy.
Why are these checks necessary?
These checks are required because Australian law firms are now part of the AML/CTF regime when providing certain services.
The checks help:
- protect clients and the community from financial crime;
- reduce the risk that legal services are misused;
- support the integrity of Australia’s financial and legal systems;
- bring Australia into line with international AML/CTF standards.
Frequently asked questions
I am a previous client. Why do I need to complete this process now?
The AML/CTF laws apply from 1 July 2026. Even if we have acted for you before, we may need to verify or update information where we provide a designated service, where your details have changed or where periodic review or ongoing monitoring is required.
Do I need to complete this every time I instruct you?
Not necessarily. If we already hold current and reliable information, we may be able to rely on it for some purposes. However, we may need to update your information if a new matter involves a designated service, if your circumstances have changed, if your identification has expired or if further checks are required by law.
Can you act if I do not provide the information?
If we cannot obtain or verify information that we are legally required to collect, we may be unable to act or continue acting.
Will there be a charge?
There may be charges for identity verification, company searches, title searches, registry searches, trust deed reviews or other due diligence steps required for your matter.
We will let you know about applicable costs as part of the onboarding process or costs disclosure.
Why are you asking about source of funds or source of wealth?
In some matters, we are required to understand where funds or wealth have come from. This may include asking about savings, sale proceeds, loans, gifts, inheritance, business income, trust distributions or other funding sources.
Why are you asking about a company, trust or other entity?
Where a company, trust, SMSF, partnership, association, estate or other entity is involved, we may need to confirm who owns, controls, instructs for or signs on behalf of that entity. We may also need documents such as an ASIC extract, trust deed, constitution, partnership agreement, association rules, power of attorney, probate, letters of administration, resolution, delegation or written authority.
Questions
If you have any questions about our onboarding process or the information we have requested, please contact the solicitor or staff member assisting you.