Organisations need to be confident they’ve taken correct action when it comes to safeguarding their business from the risk of money-laundering and terrorism-financing.

Money laundering (ML) is the processing of criminal profits to disguise their illegal origin. Terrorism Financing (TF) includes the financing of terrorist acts or any kind of terrorist organisation. This can occur all different types of businesses.

High-profile breaches and significant regulatory action exposing businesses to substantial financial penalties and reputational damage has been in the spotlight. 
Australia has commenced the largest AML reform since 2006 to align Australia’s AML regime with standards recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The reforms will have significant implications for existing reporting entities as well as the additional real estate, legal and accounting professions under the ‘Tranche 2’ updates.  

 

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 

Australia has a strong regime in place to combat financial crime. AUSTRAC regulates Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. 

AUSTRAC has widened its focus on who is affected by Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing laws, and they have changed how frequently you must review your policies and programs (every two years) and by who (independent reviewer).

Reporting Entities must have an Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Program specifying how they comply with the legislation. These programs are vital in identifying, disrupting and preventing money laundering and terrorism financing, protecting your organisation, community and Australia from criminal activity.

Our AML and CTF services

Anti-Money Laundering reforms

Australia has commenced reforming its Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CTF) regime to further align it with the international standards recommended by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

AML webinars

12 Feb On-demand
11 Feb On-demand

Grant Thornton is the leading specialist in AML/CTF risk management providing tailored services including expert advisory, compliance and support services; program development, risk assessment and policies; and support on regulatory engagement and remediation.

Unlike providers that rely on generic, one-size-fits-all compliance models and lack dedicated AML/CTF teams, we are a team of specialists who design and leverage specific tools, accelerators and leading frameworks, to collaborate with you to achieve the right risk management outcomes, pragmatically, efficiently and effectively.

Proven by our unique track record of high profile, complex engagements on AML/CTF risk management and compliance across all industry sectors, which spans both existing and new entrants to the regime. We have a detailed understanding of the reforms and how new entrants can minimise costs and become compliant. We have worked closely with AUSTRAC on a number of Tranche 2 industry engagement initiatives.

We are also the only AML/CTF consultants from Australia that have worked directly with over 200 New Zealand entities since 2018.

We partner with you to build an outcomes-focused, fit-for-purpose AML/CTF risk management program that protects and future-proofs your organisation from criminals seeking to launder money and fund terrorism.

We provide the following services:

  • Current Program Gap Analysis & Independent Review
  • Structured review of a current AML/CTF Program to new AML/CTF requirements.
  • Supports business already covered by the regime to take a proactive approach to the reforms and identify where a Program needs to change 
  • Adjust a existing Program or provide new Program based on the impact the AML Reforms have on a business

  • Support implementation of a revised Program

  • Adjust the existing Risk Assessment or provide new Risk Assessment based on the impact the AML Reforms have on a business
  • New Program Compliance Analysis & Independent Review
  • Structured review of new AML/CTF Program to new requirements. 
  • Supports a proactive approach to validate whether a Program is compliant with new requirements
  • Independent Review and testing of an AML/CTF Program 
  • ML/TF Risk Assessment review and control testing 
  • Compliance testing against the Act & Rules 
  • Advise of systems and controls to manage ML/TF risk 
  • Scenario and rules set review and testing
  • Transaction monitoring alert investigations
  • Transaction rules validation and configuration
  • Customer risk rating methodology design
  • Customer onboarding and KYC remediation
  • Customer screening processes in line with the Act & Rules
  • Design and implement an AML/CTF Program 
  • Design and implement an ML/TF Risk Assessment 
  • Provide 2nd and 3rd line of defence guidance as a co-source 
  • AML/CTF training program assessment – including evaluation of training content, and effectiveness of training coverage across your organisation
  • Delivery of tailored risk awareness training to ensure your employees understand how to identify, prevent, mitigate and report money laundering and terrorism financing