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InFocus May 2026 - Volume 35 Issue 4

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New anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws are taking effect  

Australia’s anti money laundering and counter terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws are being strengthened to better protect businesses and prevent criminal misuse of professional services.

From 31 March, enrolment opened for new professions under the Australian Government’s landmark AML/CTF reforms. Businesses such as lawyers, accountants, conveyancers and real estate professionals - can now enrol with the AML/CTF regulator, AUSTRAC.

Why we need these laws
Serious and organised crimes costs Australian’s up to $82 billion each year, including money laundering linked to tax crimes, government fraud, illicit tobacco sales and scams.

These reforms close known gaps and help protect legitimate businesses and advisers from criminal exploitation.

If you already report to AUSTRAC

  • Update your enrolment details by 30 May 2026.
  • If you provide virtual asset services, you have until 29 July 2026.
  • Your core obligations are the same – but some requirements have changed.
  • If you can’t meet new obligation on time, you must have a documented implementation plan.

If you’re newly regulated
Enrolment is open for newly-regulated entities and must be ready by 1 July 2026 including:

Find more information at Getting ready for change: How to prepare for new AML/CTF laws.

Not sure if this applies to you?
AUSTRAC’s online checker can help you confirm if your services are covered and what actions you need to take.

For updates, subscribe to AUSTRAC’s InBrief newsletter or contact AUSTRAC with queries.

Seek independent legal advice if you need guidance to your circumstances.

ASIC to publish AFS licensee website addresses to bolster scam prevention 

ASIC will soon be collecting website addresses from Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensees, which will be published on the Professional Registers Search (PRS) starting from mid-June 2026.   

This initiative aims to address concerns related to the deliberate misuse and impersonation of AFS licensee names, licence numbers and websites online. 

Publishing website addresses will enable consumers and businesses to check that they are interacting with genuine AFS licensee websites and prevent scams where criminals use licence details to create fake websites and fraudulent investment advertisements. 

AFS licensees are encouraged to add their website addresses via the Regulatory Portal by submitting a Notify change of details of an Australian financial services licence transaction. 

For more information, please refer to AFS licensees: Providing and updating website addresses through the Regulatory Portal.

Your obligations as a local agent of a registered foreign company

Your role as a local agent for a foreign company is critical to ensuring ongoing compliance with ASIC requirements.

What you are responsible for
As a local agent, you must ensure:

  • The company meets its statutory obligations. This includes understanding that you’re responsible for compliance on the company’s behalf, and
  • You may be liable for any breaches or penalties when obligations are not met.

You’re required to regularly check the registered foreign companies you act for and ensure the relevant financial statements or annual return are:

  • Prepared and lodged with ASIC at least once every calendar year, and
  • Lodged no more than 15 months apart, or
  • Lodge within one month of the company’s annual general meeting.

Late lodgement fees may apply if these timeframes aren’t met.

Learn more on local agent obligations on our website.

New e‑learning modules to support sustainability reporting

ASIC has released self‑paced e‑learning modules (Modules 1–8) to help build understanding of the new sustainability reporting requirements in the Corporations Act 2001, developed in partnership with the AASB.

The modules are primarily aimed at Group 2 and 3 entities expected to commence sustainability reporting from 1 July 2026 and are also suitable for anyone new to sustainability or climate‑related financial reporting.

More modules and in‑person workshops will follow.

Find out more about ASIC e-learning modules on our website.

Acting as a company’s agent: annual company statement obligations

This is a reminder of your responsibilities when acting as a registered agents on behalf of companies for their annual company statements.

Your obligations as a registered agent when you act for a company are to:

  • Retrieve each company’s annual statement linked to your agent number within 14 days of the company’s annual review date.
  • Provide the annual statement to the company’s officeholders, support them to review the company details, and
  • Ensure the annual review fee is paid on time.

ASIC regularly monitors registered agent activity and undertakes compliance action where these obligations are not met.

Staying on top of your review dates
To help you meet your obligations, we encourage you to regularly request a Review Date Report (Form RA61) through the registered agent online services portal.

The RA61 report shows the annual review dates for all companies you represent and helps you to:

  • Track upcoming review dates across your client base
  • Meet the 14‑day annual statement retrieval requirement
  • Support timely compliance for companies you act for

For further guidance on registered agent obligations and annual company statements, visit asic.gov.au.

Spotlight article from other Government departments or industries

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