The AUSTRAC AML/CTF Starter Programs provide a structured pathway to achieving AML/CTF compliance that will significantly reduce the effort and cost of AML/CTF compliance for entities required to meet AML/CTF obligations under Tranche 2.
As Australia prepares for the landmark Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) reforms – set to take effect in the coming months – businesses across sectors face a pivotal moment not just to comply with how to manage financial crime risk, but to transform themselves for the better. The real challenge lies in building a culture that embeds AML obligations into the DNA of an organisation.
How leadership teams can implement effective ML/TF risk management, ongoing AML/CTF compliance, and the successful definition and embedding of an organisation's AML/CTF compliance culture.
Grant Thornton is a leading specialist in AML/CTF risk management and can assist businesses by providing tailored AML/CTF risk management and compliance services
The AML Reforms introduce the concept of a 'reporting group'—a flexible model that allows both related and unrelated entities to manage and mitigate ML/TF risks under a single, comprehensive AML/CTF Program.
The introduction of Value Transfer Service obligations under Australia’s AML/CTF reforms significantly broadens the scope of compliance requirements, affecting a wide range of businesses and requiring new processes, technology, and training.
Australia’s AML/CTF reforms represent a fundamental shift from a prescriptive, compliance-based regime to a flexible, outcomes-focused framework – prioritising the effective prevention of money laundering, terrorism financing and proliferation financing, rather than merely following prescriptive rules.
Australia has commenced reforming its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) regime including the ‘Tranche 2’ reforms, which expand AML/CTF compliance to apply to additional professions including lawyers.
Australia has commenced reforming its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) regime including the ‘Tranche 2’ reforms, which expand AML/CTF compliance to apply to additional professions including real estate agents and conveyancers.
The final amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Rules, published on 30 August 2025, introduce a series of structural and operational changes following extensive consultation by AUSTRAC and industry feedback.
The AML/CTF Reforms require reporting entities to develop and maintain AML/CTF policies that achieve both ML/TF/PF risk mitigation and management as well as AML/CTF compliance.
In today’s fast-moving business landscape, Boards must take a strategic approach to governance. This article explores key priorities including regulatory compliance, cyber and AI risk, operational resilience, and navigating market volatility.