Dirty money crackdown hits Australia's property market
Australian real estate is about to face its biggest compliance shake-up in years, with new anti-money laundering laws bringing tougher identity checks, deeper scrutiny of funds and extra paperwork for buyers, sellers and investors.
AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence agency, classifies the real estate sector as posing a “high money laundering risk”. (Image source: Douglas Cliff/Shutterstock.com)
Thanks to nefarious scammers and underworld fraudsters, buying and selling property in Australia is about to undergo significant process changes.
From 1 July 2026 property transactions will involve a few more questions, a little more paperwork and greater identity verification as new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws come into effect.
For most Australians, the changes will not stop them from buying or selling …
