From 1 July 2026, Australian Real Estate agencies are required to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) legislation. These laws introduce new obligations for Real Estate professionals, including verifying the identity of clients before providing or finalising designated services.
At Adcock Real Estate, we’re committed to making this process as simple and secure as possible. This page explains why identity verification is required, what you can expect, and answers some of the most common questions we receive.
Whether you’re buying or selling a property, our team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
But why are we asking for your identification?
Identity verification is now a standard part of the Real Estate process. The introduction of AML/CTF obligations means Australian Real Estate agencies now have additional responsibilities to help prevent financial crime, including money laundering and terrorism financing.
As part of these requirements, we need to verify the identity of buyers, sellers and other relevant parties involved in a property transaction. This ensures we know who we are acting for and that property transactions are conducted transparently and securely.
While this is a new requirement for the Real Estate industry, our aim is to make the process as straightforward as possible. The verification process is completed securely online and generally only takes a few minutes to complete.
Who needs to complete identity verification and
what will you need to do?
Parties involved in a property transaction, including buyers, sellers and individuals acting on behalf of another person or entity.
This may include:
- Property buyers and sellers
- Individuals acting under a Power of Attorney
- Company Directors or authorised representatives
- Trustees or individuals associated with a Trust
- Other relevant parties involved in the transaction (where applicable)
You’ll receive a secure link via SMS and email to complete the process electronically.
The verification process will guide you through confirming your identity and answering a series of additional questions, using accepted government-issued identification documents, such as:
- Australian Driver’s Licence
- Australian Passport
- Medicare Card
- Face recongition
- Other approved identification documents (where applicable)
- Completion of questionnaire
- Buyer confirmation of funds source
Most clients complete the process in less than five minutes. Completing your verification promptly helps us meet our legal obligations and ensures your property transaction can continue to progress smoothly.
Is my information secure?
Absolutely.
Your identity is verified through a secure electronic verification platform, EasyAML that complies with Australian privacy and security requirements.
Your information is collected solely to meet our legal obligations under the AML/CTF legislation and is handled in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
We know that new requirements can sometimes feel like an extra step, so we’ve put together answers to the questions we’re most commonly asked. Our aim is to make the process clear, simple and as seamless as possible for our clients.
Need help?
If you have any questions about the verification process or experience any issues completing your identity check, our team is here to help.
Please contact our Compliance Officer, Amy Colmer – details below
📞 (08) 8388 4777
✉️ amy@adcock.com.au
Source & Additional Information
For further information about Australia’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) obligations, including the role of AUSTRAC and the requirements for regulated businesses, please visit the official AUSTRAC website.
Visit AUSTRAC: https://www.austrac.gov.au/