Selling Your Home From 1 July 2026: What AML/CTF Means for You
From 1 July 2026, real estate professionals in Australia will be regulated under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws. Agencies must complete identity and customer checks when brokering the sale, purchase, or transfer of real estate.
When you appoint an agent to sell your property, the agency will need to collect and verify information about you before the property can be marketed. This is part of our legal obligation to know our customer and manage financial crime risks.
Information You Will Be Asked to Provide
1
Photo ID
A driver licence or passport to confirm your identity.
2
Personal Details
Confirmation of your name, date of birth, and residential address.
3
Authorised Representatives
Information about anyone acting on your behalf, including proof of authorisation.
4
Entity Ownership
Extra information if the property is owned by a company, trust, or other entity rather than an individual.
5
Higher Risk Matters
Further information if the matter is considered higher risk under AML/CTF requirements.
Why Is This Required?
The Australian Government have designed these laws to help prevent criminals from using real estate transactions to launder money or hide illicit funds. Real estate professionals must identify customers, verify information, assess risk, and monitor for unusual activity.
Identify Customers
Confirm who is involved in every transaction.
Verify Information
Ensure all details are accurate and legitimate.
Assess Risk
Evaluate each transaction for potential financial crime risks.
Monitor Activity
Watch for and report any unusual or suspicious activity.
Will This Delay My Sale?
The Short Answer
No — but it may slow the process if requested information is not provided promptly.
From 1 July 2026, agencies must complete initial customer due diligence before providing a designated service, subject to limited exceptions in some cases.
How to Keep Things Moving
Provide requested ID documents promptly
Ensure ownership details are correct
Tell your agent if someone is acting for you
Advise early if the property is held in a trust, company, or partnership structure
Important to Know: Checks Apply to Both Parties
If your agent is brokering the sale, AML/CTF checks must apply to both the seller and buyer. AUSTRAC's guidance for real estate states that, in these transactions, the customer is both the seller and the buyer.
A Simple Change for a Safer System
These checks are becoming a mandatory part of property transactions in Australia. They are aimed at protecting clients, agencies, and the broader financial system from misuse.
Protects Clients
Safeguards sellers and buyers from being unwittingly involved in financial crime.
Protects Agencies
Ensures real estate professionals meet their legal obligations with confidence.
Protects the System
Strengthens Australia's financial system against money laundering and illicit funds.
How It Works at OBrien Real Estate
As the vendor and seller of the property, your agent will provide you with either direct access to the First AML third-party app on a phone or tablet, or a secure link via email to the First AML portal, so you can complete your self-identification.
As part of this process, you will be required to submit personal identification documents to verify your identity and satisfy Customer Due Diligence (CDD) requirements.
Declaration Regarding Privacy & Document Access
First AML is an independent third-party provider engaged by OBrien Real Estate to facilitate identity verification. Any identification documents submitted through the First AML platform are uploaded directly to that provider.
OBrien Real Estate, its offices, employees and agents do not have access to, and do not retain, your personal identification documents submitted through this platform.
This process is designed to support compliance obligations while protecting your privacy and handling sensitive personal information in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Your Documents
Uploaded directly to First AML — not stored by OBrien.
Your Privacy
Handled in accordance with applicable Australian privacy laws.
Your Security
A secure, compliant process managed by an independent provider.
Ready to Sell with Confidence?
AML/CTF compliance is a straightforward part of selling your home from 1 July 2026. OBrien Real Estate is here to guide you through every step — including the identity verification process — so your campaign runs smoothly from day one.
Appoint Your Agent
Begin your property sale journey with OBrien Real Estate.
Complete Verification
Use the First AML app or secure email link to verify your identity quickly.
Sell with Peace of Mind
Your campaign moves forward, protected and compliant.