AUSTRAC Begins Issuing Section 167 Notices to Non-Enrolled Tranche 2 Businesses
AUSTRAC has begun issuing formal information notices to businesses that appear to be providing regulated services without having enrolled under Australia’s expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime.
The regulator said on 28 August 2026 that it is using notices under section 167 of the AML/CTF Act to seek information from businesses including real estate agents, accountants, lawyers and jewellers. The information will help AUSTRAC determine whether the recipients are providing designated services and whether they are meeting their obligations under the Act.
Enrolment moves from preparation to regulatory scrutiny
Australia’s AML/CTF regime expanded on 1 July 2026 to cover tens of thousands of newly regulated businesses. The additional sectors include real estate, legal and accounting services, conveyancing, trust and company services, and dealers in precious stones and metals.
AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas said enrolment is a legal obligation and a core first step in the AML/CTF framework. The regulator said businesses providing designated services should already be enrolled and actively managing the risk that their services could be used to move or conceal illicit funds.
The section 167 notices mark a more concrete supervisory stage following the implementation of the expanded regime. AUSTRAC has spent several years providing guidance, tools and industry outreach ahead of the reforms, but said businesses that ignore their obligations should now expect regulatory scrutiny.
The regulator also stressed that newly covered professional and commercial sectors can play an important role in identifying suspicious activity because criminals may seek to move proceeds through otherwise legitimate businesses and transactions.
AUSTRAC continues to encourage businesses that are uncertain about their obligations to seek assistance through its Contact Centre. The regulator said contacting it for help is not itself treated as a red flag where a business is making a genuine effort to comply.
For newly regulated firms, the development is a reminder that the 1 July commencement date has moved the Tranche 2 reforms from implementation planning into active supervisory follow-up, beginning with the basic question of whether businesses that provide designated services are properly enrolled.
