Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CTF) Requirements

New requirements for Australian real estate transactions

From 1 July 2026, Australian real estate agencies providing designated services must comply with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Act 2006.

As part of these obligations, ManageMe & SellMe may need to verify the identity of our clients before we can provide certain real estate services. This process, known as Customer Due Diligence (CDD), helps ensure we understand who we are acting for and supports Australia's efforts to prevent financial crime.

These requirements apply to all real estate agencies providing designated services and form part of a nationwide regulatory framework.

Why is identification required?

The AML/CTF legislation requires us to take reasonable steps to identify our clients and, where relevant, understand the ownership and control of businesses and other legal entities involved in a transaction.

This process assists us to:

• Confirm the identity of our clients.
• Meet our legal obligations under the AML/CTF Act.
• Identify the individuals who own or control companies, trusts and other entities.
• Help reduce the risk of money laundering, terrorism financing and other financial crime.

Who do the requirements apply to?

Identity verification requirements may apply to:

• Property sellers.
• Property buyers.
• Companies, trusts, partnerships and self-managed super funds.
• Individuals acting on behalf of another person or entity.

The information required will depend on the type of transaction and the parties involved.

What information may be requested?

For individuals, we may ask you to provide:

• Your full legal name.
• Date of birth.
• Residential address.

To verify this information, we may request documents such as:

• An Australian or foreign passport.
• An Australian driver's licence.
• Other government-issued identification.
• Proof of residential address where required.

Additional documentation may be requested depending on your circumstances.

Companies, trusts and other entities

Where a property transaction involves a legal entity, additional verification may be required.

This may include information about:

• Directors.
• Shareholders.
• Trustees.
• Beneficiaries.
• Individuals who ultimately own or control the entity (beneficial owners).

Supporting documentation may also be required to confirm the entity's structure and ownership.

For sellers

Before we can provide certain services relating to the sale of your property, we may need to complete identity verification and, where applicable, verify any company or trust associated with the transaction.

For buyers

If we are providing designated services in relation to your property purchase, we may also be required to verify your identity before those services can commence.

When will verification take place?

Where possible, we will complete the verification process early in the transaction to minimise delays.

In some circumstances, we cannot commence designated services until the required identification checks have been successfully completed.

Protecting your information

We recognise the importance of protecting your personal information.

Any information collected as part of our AML/CTF obligations is managed in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles and is used only for purposes permitted by law.