AML Simple is live: built to make real estate AML compliance straightforward

If you run a real estate agency in Australia and you've been hearing about "AML" and "AUSTRAC" lately — you're not imagining things.

From 1 July 2026, new laws require every agency that brokers property sales to have an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) program in place, keep records, and verify the identity of clients before transactions. That deadline is firm. AUSTRAC has been clear it won't be extended.

For most small agencies, this landed without much warning. The legislation passed in late 2024, after being delayed for 17 years. The government estimates upfront compliance setup costs of up to $28,650 per business (Government Regulatory Impact Statement). And the clock is ticking.

The problem we kept seeing

The guidance available to small agencies is written by lawyers for lawyers. The options on the table are:

Hire a compliance consultant (expensive — often $10,000 or more just to get started)
Work through the government templates yourself (detailed, but overwhelming if compliance isn't your background)
Wait and see what everyone else does (risky, given the penalties involved)

There wasn't a straightforward, affordable path for a 5-person agency that just wants to do the right thing and get on with running their business.

We talked to agency principals who'd never heard of AML until six months ago. We talked to people who'd downloaded the AUSTRAC Starter Kit and didn't know where to begin. The gap wasn't knowledge — it was a practical tool to turn the requirements into something manageable.

Why we built AML Simple

We built AML Simple because small real estate agencies deserve a practical, affordable way to meet their obligations — without needing a compliance background or a large budget.

We're not lawyers, and we're not offering legal advice. We built a compliance workflow tool that walks you through the process, step by step, in plain English: your AML/CTF program, your client verification process, your record-keeping obligations. The kind of tool we wish had existed when the legislation was first announced.

What AML Simple does

AML Simple is a compliance workflow tool that helps you prepare for your AML/CTF obligations. Specifically, it helps you:

Build your AML/CTF program — answer questions about your agency and the tool produces a program document tailored to your circumstances. Our program generator is consistent with AUSTRAC's Program Starter Kit structure — the same framework AUSTRAC provides for small agencies with up to 15 personnel.
Structure your client due diligence (CDD) process — collect the information you're required to gather before a transaction, with guided steps and clear records.
Screen clients against the DFAT consolidated sanctions list — checked automatically, with results stored against each client record.
Keep the records you're required to maintain — stored securely, accessible when you need them, for the 7-year retention period required by law.

We're not going to promise this makes compliance effortless. There are decisions only you can make — about your agency's risk profile, about individual clients, about what to do when something looks unusual. A workflow tool helps you prepare, organise, and document. The judgement calls stay with you.

Get started — it's free

There's a free tier, and no account is required to begin. You can start building your AML program today, see how the tool works, and make an informed decision before committing to anything.

If your situation is more complex — multiple designated services, overseas clients, or you've identified something that needs expert eyes — we also offer an Expert Advice service that connects you with qualified AML/CTF compliance advisers.

Start your AML program free — no account needed

The July 2026 deadline will come around quickly. Getting started now means you're not doing this under pressure in June.

AML Simple is a compliance workflow tool, not a provider of legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Using this tool does not guarantee compliance with the AML/CTF Act. For professional compliance advice, see our Expert Advice service or consult a qualified AML/CTF professional.