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AUSTRAC Enrolment is now open for Tranche 2: A Step-by-Step Guide for Law Firms

  • Apr 6
  • 4 min read

Author, Amy Bell, CEO and Founder of AML Sorted





AUSTRAC enrolment opened on 31 March 2026 for newly regulated Tranche 2 entities and now, a couple of weeks in, firms are starting to realise this is where things get real. For many law firms, this is the first operational step in getting ready for the new AML/CTF regime.


AUSTRAC says that if you provide a designated service with a geographical link to Australia, you must enrol. Its new online enrolment form asks for information about your business, structure and designated services.


If your firm will be providing designated services from 1 July 2026, your enrolment must be submitted within 28 days of first providing a designated service. For firms starting on go-live day, that means by 29 July 2026.


For most legal practices, the relevant category in the new form will be Business and professional services, with Lawyer listed as a sub-category.


Why this matters now

A couple of weeks ago, enrolment opening might have felt like a milestone on the horizon.

Now, it’s here and it’s forcing decisions. It would be easy to treat enrolment as just another admin task. It is not. Enrolment is the point where AML shifts from “something we know is coming” to “something we now need to action”.


It is also often the moment firms realise how much information they need to have clear internally, including:


  • what designated services they provide

  • which entity is enrolling

  • who sits in governance

  • how their business is structured in practice


AUSTRAC’s form surfaces all of that very quickly. Yes, firms technically have until late July. But for most practices, the smarter move is to get this done early and use it as a trigger to progress the wider compliance work.


Step 1: Confirm that your firm needs to enrol

AUSTRAC says you must enrol if you provide a designated service with a geographical link to Australia. The form will ask how your business is linked to Australia, for example whether you carry out or propose to carry out designated services through a permanent establishment here. For most Australian law firms, this will be a straightforward yes.


Step 2: Be clear on the category that applies to your firm

The enrolment page shows the categories and sub-categories you’ll be asked to select.


For most firms:

  • Industry: Business and professional services

  • Sub-category: Lawyer


It sounds simple, but it is worth confirming the correct entity is enrolling and that your business description aligns with the services you actually provide.


Step 3: Work out which designated services you provide

AUSTRAC’s form asks whether you provide (or propose to provide) designated services across several categories.


For legal practices, this can include things like:

  • business structuring

  • conveyancing

  • buying or selling companies

  • facilitating financing

  • nominee or address services


This is one of the most important parts of the process. Don’t guess. Don’t tick broadly.

Take a proper look at what your firm actually does, because how you answer here needs to align with the rest of your AML framework.


Step 4: Gather your core business information

The form is much easier if you prepare upfront.


You’ll need:

  • legal name

  • ABN

  • ACN / ARBN / ARSN (if applicable)

  • principal place of business

  • registered office address

  • trading names (if any)

  • contact details


In practice, nominate one person to pull this together before anyone logs in.


Step 5: Check your business structure and governance

AUSTRAC will ask about your legal structure (company, partnership, sole trader, trust, etc.) and the individuals responsible for governance and decision-making.

Depending on your structure, this may include:

  • directors or partners

  • trustees

  • beneficial owners

You may need details like names, dates of birth and residential addresses.

This is where firms often slow down if they haven’t already clarified:

  • which entity is enrolling

  • who the responsible individuals are

  • who owns the process internally


Step 6: Start the enrolment in AUSTRAC Online

Head to AUSTRAC Online, start a new application or continue an existing one, and complete the Practice Profile Form.


Treat this as a small project, not a quick admin job.


Block time out. Have the information ready. Make sure the person completing it understands the context.


Step 7: Submit by the deadline

The form must be submitted no later than 28 days after you begin providing a designated service.


For firms starting on 1 July 2026, that means 29 July 2026.


That is the outer deadline.


But waiting until then just compresses everything else you need to do.


Step 8: Save your records

Once submitted, save:

  • confirmation messages

  • completed forms

  • related correspondence


Store them in your compliance records and notify your governing body (unless that’s the same person managing compliance).


What firms often miss

The biggest mistake is assuming enrolment means you are done.


Enrolment is just one part of getting ready for Tranche 2. It sits alongside the much bigger job of building a workable AML/CTF programme, including:

  • risk assessments

  • onboarding processes

  • governance

  • training

  • ongoing monitoring


A practical checklist before you hit submit

Make sure you have:

  • correct legal entity details

  • ABN and company identifiers

  • business and registered office addresses

  • contact details

  • clarity on reporting group (if applicable)

  • confirmed legal structure

  • identified responsible individuals

  • a clear view of your designated services


Final thought

If you’ve read through AUSTRAC’s enrolment questions and thought, this is bigger than expected, that’s completely normal. For many firms, this is the moment AML becomes real.


And a couple of weeks in, the firms that have started are already ahead.


If that’s not you yet, now is the time to get moving.








 
 
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