AML Compliance Guide
Log in Create Free Account

AUSTRAC enrolment guide

A plain-English walkthrough of how to enrol with AUSTRAC as a Tranche 2 reporting entity — what you need, how the portal works, and what comes next.

Often searched as "AUSTRAC registration" — for Tranche 2 businesses (lawyers, accountants, real estate agents and others) the correct process is called enrolment, not registration. See why below.

Enrolment deadline: 29 July 2026

Existing businesses must be enrolled by this date. New businesses must enrol before they start providing designated services.

1

Confirm you are a reporting entity

Check whether your business provides one or more designated services under the AML/CTF Act. If you provide legal, accounting, real estate, trust/company, or precious metals/stones services, you are very likely in scope. If you are unsure, ask AUSTRAC-GPT or read the designated services list on the AUSTRAC website.

Ask AUSTRAC-GPT Designated services list on AUSTRAC
2

Gather your information before you start

The AUSTRAC Regulatory Portal enrolment form will ask for specific details about your business. Having these ready before you open the form saves time and reduces the chance of errors.

  • Your Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Full legal name of the business entity
  • Trading name (if different from the legal name)
  • Business address and postal address
  • Primary contact name, phone, and email
  • List of every designated service your business provides
  • States and territories where you provide those services
  • Estimated annual number of customers you provide designated services to
  • Details of any related entities that also provide designated services (each must be enrolled separately)
3

Create an AUSTRAC Regulatory Portal account

Enrolment is done through the AUSTRAC Regulatory Portal — an online system used for enrolment, reporting, and communication with AUSTRAC. You need to create an account before you can enrol. Use a business email address, not a personal one, as this account will be used for ongoing compliance communication.

AUSTRAC Regulatory Portal
4

Complete the enrolment form

Log in to the portal and complete the enrolment form. You will be asked to declare that the information you provide is accurate. Take care when selecting your designated services — you must list every service you provide, not just your primary one. Omitting a designated service is itself a breach of the Act.

Note: If your business has multiple locations or operates through different legal entities, each entity that provides designated services must enrol separately. Enrolment covers the legal entity, not individual practitioners within it.
5

Submit and receive your enrolment confirmation

Once submitted, AUSTRAC will send a confirmation to your registered email address. Keep this confirmation — it includes your AUSTRAC Reporting Entity Number (REN), which you will need for future correspondence with AUSTRAC and for certain compliance records.

Note: AUSTRAC does not charge a fee for enrolment. If any third party charges you to enrol with AUSTRAC on your behalf, this is not required and you should be cautious.
6

Begin developing your AML/CTF program

Enrolment is only the first step. Once enrolled, you must develop a written AML/CTF program, conduct a money laundering and terrorism financing risk assessment, and implement customer due diligence procedures. Your program must be in place by 31 December 2026.

AUSTRAC guidance summaries AML/CTF regulation changelog

Frequently asked questions

Is AUSTRAC registration the same as enrolment?
Most people searching for "AUSTRAC registration" as a Tranche 2 business — a lawyer, accountant, real estate agent, or other newly regulated entity — actually need to enrol, not register. Enrolment means notifying AUSTRAC that you are a reporting entity providing designated services; it is not a licence or approval, and this guide covers that process end to end. Registration is a separate, more intensive process that applies to a different group: businesses in the original Tranche 1 regime, such as remittance providers and currency (digital currency) exchange providers. If you are a Tranche 2 business, enrolment is the correct — and only — process for you.
What if I'm not sure whether my services are "designated services"?
AUSTRAC provides a self-assessment tool on its website. You can also check the designated services list in Schedule 1 to the AML/CTF Act. If you are still unsure after reviewing these resources, seek legal advice — do not simply assume you are not in scope, as failure to enrol when required carries serious penalties.
Do I need to enrol for each branch or location?
Enrolment covers the legal entity, not individual offices or practitioners. If all branches operate under the same ABN, one enrolment covers all of them. However, if different locations operate under different ABNs or legal entities, each must enrol separately.
What happens if I miss the 29 July 2026 deadline?
Failure to enrol by the deadline is a breach of the AML/CTF Act. AUSTRAC can issue infringement notices, civil penalties, or refer the matter for prosecution. AUSTRAC has indicated it will take a proportionate approach in the first year — but "I didn't know" is not a defence for businesses that provide clearly in-scope services.
How long does the enrolment process take?
The enrolment form typically takes 15–30 minutes to complete if you have your information ready. AUSTRAC processes enrolments and sends confirmation within a few business days. There is no manual review or approval — your enrolment is effective once you submit.
Can I update my enrolment after submitting?
Yes. You can update your enrolment through the AUSTRAC Regulatory Portal at any time. You must update it if your designated services change, if your contact details change, or if you cease providing designated services. Keeping your enrolment current is itself an ongoing compliance obligation.
Do employees or individual practitioners within my firm need to enrol separately?
No. Individual practitioners (e.g. lawyers or accountants) who work within an enrolled entity do not enrol separately. The legal entity they work for is the reporting entity. However, sole traders who provide designated services in their own name must enrol as an individual reporting entity.
Is there a cost to enrol?
No. AUSTRAC enrolment is free. There are no application fees, annual fees, or ongoing charges payable to AUSTRAC for Tranche 2 enrolment. Any third party offering to manage your AUSTRAC enrolment for a fee is providing a service AUSTRAC itself does not charge for.

A lightweight AML platform, built exclusively for Tranche 2

Get AUSTRAC's mandates done as fast and effortless as possible.

  • Built around AUSTRAC's actual requirements
  • Single maintained compliance file
  • No compliance expertise required
  • 25 minute initial compliance setup
  • Obligations calendar & reminders
  • Instant data export
Setup: ~25 minutes Ongoing: minutes per client Price: $8 per KYC
See the product →

What comes after enrolment?

Read AUSTRAC's guidance summaries to understand your program obligations.

AUSTRAC guidance →

This guide is a practical summary based on publicly available AUSTRAC guidance. It is not legal advice. Enrolment requirements and portal processes may change — always verify current requirements on the AUSTRAC website before submitting.