From 1 July 2026, significant changes came into effect for Australia’s real estate industry.

New Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) legislation now requires real estate professionals, requires buyers agents and selling agents to undertake identity verification and customer due diligence before providing certain real estate services.

While this introduces an additional step to buying and selling property, for most people the process is straightforward and similar to the identification checks already completed when opening a bank account or applying for a home loan.

Why are these new laws being introduced?

The Australian Government has expanded the AML/CTF framework to include the real estate industry as part of a broader effort to strengthen Australia’s financial system and property markets.

The legislation aims to reduce the risk of:

• Money laundering
• Organised crime
• Fraud and financial misconduct
• Terrorism financing
• The misuse of property transactions for unlawful activities

Similar requirements have existed within banking, finance, accounting and legal services for many years and are now being extended to real estate professionals.

What does this mean for property buyers?

If you’re purchasing property after 1 July 2026, you’ll likely be asked to verify your identity before certain real estate services can be provided.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include providing:

• Government-issued photo identification
• Confirmation of your residential address
• Information relating to a company, trust or Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF)
• Information regarding the source of funds where required

For most buyers purchasing in their own name, this is expected to be a simple and straightforward process.

What does this mean for property sellers?

The legislation doesn’t just apply to buyers.

Sellers will also be required to complete identity verification before an agent can provide certain services or proceed with aspects of the sale.

Depending on the ownership structure, this may include:

• Proof of identity
• Verification of property ownership
• Company or trust documentation
• Information about the individuals who ultimately own or control an entity

The exact requirements will vary depending on the transaction and how the property is owned.

Buying or selling through a trust, company or SMSF?

Where property is being purchased or sold through a company, trust or Self-Managed Super Fund, additional information may be required.

Real estate professionals may need to identify the beneficial owners or controllers of the entity as part of their legal obligations.

While this may involve providing extra documentation, these requirements are designed to improve transparency across property transactions.

Will my personal information be shared?

One of the most common questions surrounding the new legislation is who will have access to your personal information.

The answer is only those who are legally required to collect or verify it.

Different professionals involved in your transaction may each have their own compliance obligations. This may include:

• Buyers agents
• Selling agents
• Conveyancers
• Solicitors
• Financial institutions
• Mortgage brokers (where applicable)

This does not necessarily mean your information is automatically shared between them.

In many cases, each organisation is required to independently verify your identity and retain its own records to satisfy its legal obligations.

All businesses covered by the legislation must also comply with Australian privacy laws, meaning your information must be handled securely, confidentially and only used for legitimate compliance purposes.

Why might I be asked to verify my identity more than once?

Many buyers and sellers may wonder why they are being asked for identification multiple times throughout the same transaction.

The reason is that each business involved may have its own obligations to satisfy under the AML/CTF legislation.

Unless permitted by law to rely on another organisation’s verification, each business may need to complete its own customer due diligence and maintain its own compliance records.

While this can feel repetitive, it is simply part of the new regulatory framework.

Will this delay my property purchase or sale?

For most people, no.

Identity verification is generally completed early in the transaction and, when prepared in advance, should have very little impact on timeframes.

Having your identification documents ready can help ensure the process runs smoothly.

How The Property Baron is preparing

At The Property Baron, we’ve implemented the systems and processes required to comply with the new AML/CTF legislation while keeping the experience as simple and seamless as possible for our clients.

We use a secure digital identity verification platform, to assist with identity checks and customer due diligence. This allows us to complete the required verification efficiently while ensuring personal information is collected, stored and managed securely.

Protecting our clients’ privacy is extremely important to us. All information is handled confidentially and in accordance with Australian privacy legislation and the AML/CTF framework.

As always, our role is to guide our clients through every stage of the buying process. If you have any questions about the new legislation or what it means for your purchase, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to verify my identity to buy a property?

Yes. From 1 July 2026, real estate professionals will be required to verify your identity before providing certain real estate services.

Do property sellers also need to complete identity verification?

Yes. Sellers will need to complete identity verification and provide supporting documentation.

Why do I have to provide my ID to more than one person?

Different businesses involved in your transaction have their own independent legal obligations under the AML/CTF legislation. This means your buyers agent, selling agent, conveyancer and lender may all need to verify your identity independently.

Will the selling agent receive my personal identification?

Not necessarily. Each organisation generally collects and manages its own information for compliance purposes. Your information is only shared where required by law or to facilitate the transaction.

Is my personal information secure?

Yes. Businesses covered by the AML/CTF legislation must comply with Australian privacy laws and implement appropriate security measures to protect personal information.

What documents will I need?

This will depend on your circumstances but it will commonly include:

• Passport or driver’s licence
• Proof of residential address
• Company or trust documentation
• SMSF documents (where applicable)
• Possibly other financial documents if required

Will these changes delay my property purchase?

For most buyers and sellers, the impact should be minimal, particularly if identity verification is completed early in the process.

Do these rules apply to investors?

Yes. The legislation applies regardless of whether you’re purchasing your first home, an investment property or buying through a trust or SMSF.

Do these rules apply across Australia?

Yes. The AML/CTF reforms apply nationally.

What if I have questions?

If you’re unsure what documentation you’ll need or how the new legislation applies to your circumstances, speaking with your buyers agent, conveyancer or legal adviser before beginning your property search can help avoid unnecessary delays.

Need guidance?

While the new AML/CTF legislation introduces additional compliance requirements, it shouldn’t make buying property more difficult.

At The Property Baron, we’ve integrated these requirements into our client onboarding process, allowing us to verify identities securely, efficiently and with minimal disruption.

Our focus remains the same: providing a smooth, professional buying experience while protecting our clients’ privacy and ensuring every transaction is handled in accordance with the latest Australian legislation.

If you’re planning to purchase property and have questions about the new requirements, we’re always happy to help.