From 1 July 2026, real estate agencies across Australia became part of the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. These are the same laws that have applied to banks and other financial institutions for years, and they now extend to the buying and selling of property.
If you are thinking about selling your home or buying your next one, you might be wondering what this means for you. The short answer is that the process will feel familiar, with a few extra steps along the way. We understand that new paperwork can feel daunting, so here is a plain-English guide to what is changing and why.
Why these laws exist
Property is one of the ways criminals try to move or hide money, because a home can absorb large sums and disguise where the funds came from. The new laws are designed to make that harder. They ask agencies like ours to take reasonable steps to confirm who our clients are and that transactions are what they appear to be.
It’s about all of us playing our part in keeping the property market clean and protecting the community we live in.
What is actually changing for you
The heart of the change is something called customer due diligence. In practice, this means we will need to verify the identity of the people we act for, and in some cases understand where the funds for a purchase are coming from.
You’ll feel confident knowing this runs alongside the normal process rather than replacing it. Your appraisal, your marketing campaign, your open homes, your negotiation – all of that continues exactly as it always has.
Here is what to expect that is new:
- Identity checks. We will confirm your full legal name, date of birth and residential address using government-issued photo identification.
- Checks on both sides of the deal. As a seller, we confirm your identity when you list with us. The buyer’s identity is confirmed once a contract is signed, and the reverse applies if we are acting for a buyer.
- A closer look where a company or trust is involved. If a property is being bought or sold through a company, trust or partnership, we need to identify the real people behind that structure.
- Source of funds, in some cases. For higher-risk situations, we may ask about where the money for a purchase has come from – savings, the sale of another property, an inheritance, and so on.
For most people, these checks are quick and straightforward. Where a transaction is more complex, we may need to ask a little more, and we will always explain why.
The documents to have ready
A little preparation makes everything smoother. Generally speaking, it helps to have the following on hand:
- Current photo identification – an Australian driver’s licence or passport is ideal.
- Proof of your residential address, if it is not shown on your ID.
- If you are buying or selling through a company or trust, the relevant company or trust documents, so we can identify the people who own or control it.
- If you are acting on someone else’s behalf – for example under a power of attorney, or as the executor of an estate – the document that confirms your authority, such as the power of attorney or grant of probate.
If you are not sure what applies to your situation, talk to us. We would far rather answer a question early than have you worry about it.
A few practical things worth knowing
Timing. We confirm the identity of our own client – the person we act for – before we begin providing our service. For the other party in the transaction, these checks can happen a little later, usually once a contract is on foot. This tends to line up naturally with how a sale already unfolds.
Contracts already underway. If you signed a contract before 1 July 2026, you do not need to go back and complete these checks retrospectively. They apply to transactions from that date forward.
Confidentiality. Any information you provide is held securely and only used for the purposes the law requires. As a reporting entity, we handle your personal information in line with the Australian Privacy Principles, and records are kept safe and access-controlled.
Possible administrative charges. Because these checks involve some additional work and, in some cases, third-party technology, there may be extra administrative charges associated with meeting these obligations. Where any such charge applies, it will always be set out clearly and up front – no surprises.
What this does not change
It is worth saying plainly: the experience of working with us stays the same. You still have one dedicated person who knows you by name. You still get honest advice and local knowledge built over four generations on Brisbane’s southside. The care and attention you would expect from us has not gone anywhere – there is simply a little more we do behind the scenes to keep everyone protected.
We have adapted through many changes in our time, and we will guide you through this one the same way we guide you through everything – calmly, clearly, and with your best interests at heart.
Matthews Real Estate – trusted by Brisbane property owners since 1933.