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Enrolment Guide

How to Enrol with AUSTRAC: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Most people call it registering. AUSTRAC calls it enrolment, and the difference matters. Here is exactly how to do it.

Published 1 March 2026 · Updated 13 March 2026

Enrolment or registration?

Nearly everyone calls this “registering with AUSTRAC”. AUSTRAC calls it enrolment, and the distinction is not pedantic: registration is a different obligation that applies only to remittance providers and virtual asset service providers, and providing those services while unregistered is a criminal offence. Accountants, lawyers, conveyancers, real estate agents and dealers in precious metals and stones enrol; they do not register. Failing to enrol is a contravention attracting civil penalties, not that criminal offence.

Who needs to enrol?

If your business provides any “designated service” under the amended AML/CTF Act, you must enrol with AUSTRAC. This includes:

  • Accountants, tax agents, and BAS agents who provide designated services (company formation, trust management, financial arrangements)
  • Lawyers and conveyancers involved in property transactions, company formation, or managing client assets
  • Real estate agents involved in buying or selling property
  • Dealers in precious metals and stones (transactions of $10,000+)

Not sure if you need to register? Use our free compliance check to find out in 30 seconds.

Registration deadline

29 July 2026

The enrolment deadline for businesses already providing designated services on 1 July 2026. This date has passed: if you are not yet enrolled, enrol now. Enrolment is free.

AML/CTF obligations commenced on 1 July 2026, and the 28-day enrolment window that followed closed on 29 July 2026. Enrolling late does not remove the obligation — the gap stops growing the day you enrol, so do it now. The same 28-day rule applies on an ongoing basis: if you start providing a designated service, you must apply to enrol within 28 days of the day you start.

Step-by-step registration process

Step 1: Gather your information

Before starting, you will need:

  • Your Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Business contact details (address, phone, email)
  • Details of your designated services — which services you provide that fall under the AML/CTF Act
  • Name and contact details of your AML/CTF compliance officer (this can be the business owner for small businesses)
  • Your business structure (sole trader, partnership, company, trust)

Step 2: Create an AUSTRAC Online account

Go to AUSTRAC Online and create an account if you don't already have one. You will need a myGovID (not the same as a myGov account) linked to your ABN through the Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM).

Important: Setting up myGovID and RAM can take several days if you don't already have them. Start this process early.

Step 3: Complete the registration form

In AUSTRAC Online, navigate to the registration section:

  1. Business details — confirm your ABN, business name, and contact information
  2. Designated services — select which services your business provides from the list. Be accurate — selecting services you don't provide creates unnecessary obligations, and missing services you do provide is non-compliance
  3. Compliance officer — nominate the person responsible for your AML/CTF program. For sole traders, this is typically yourself
  4. Business structure — provide details of your legal structure, including directors and beneficial owners for companies
  5. Declaration — confirm that the information is accurate and that you understand your obligations

Step 4: Submit and receive confirmation

After submitting, AUSTRAC processes your enrolment and adds the business to the Reporting Entities Roll. Your AUSTRAC Online business account is what you then use to lodge reports (SMRs, TTRs), so keep those credentials and your confirmation with your AML/CTF program records.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting until the last minute — myGovID and RAM setup can take days. Start at least 4 weeks before the deadline
  • Wrong designated services — carefully review which services apply to your business. Accountants often miss trust administration; lawyers often miss conveyancing
  • Not appointing a compliance officer — even sole traders need to formally nominate someone (themselves)
  • Registering but not building an AML/CTF program — registration alone does not make you compliant. You need a written AML/CTF program in place
  • Forgetting to update — if your business details change (new services, new office, change of compliance officer), you must update your registration

After registration: what next?

Registration is just the first step. To operate compliantly, you must also have:

  1. A written AML/CTF program (Part A: systems and controls, Part B: employee training)
  2. Customer due diligence procedures ready to implement
  3. Staff trained on their AML/CTF obligations
  4. Processes for filing SMRs and TTRs with AUSTRAC

AML Mate helps you complete all of these steps. Our guided wizard generates your AML/CTF program, and the platform manages client KYC, screening, reporting, and training — all in one place.

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This guide is based on AUSTRAC's publicly available guidance. It does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Consult a licensed compliance professional for complex situations.