By Brian Barlow -
Law practices providing a designated service now have obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act).
Here is an outline of some of the resources available to assist you with the AML/CTF regime which commenced on 1 July 2026.
Recent AML/CTF resources
Over recent months, the Law Society of NSW has continued to develop and publish tools and resources to support you on your AML/CTF journey.
Our AML/CTF Implementation Guides developed both for sole practitioners and small practices, and medium and large practices, provide practical guidance tailored to the different needs and structures of legal practices. They are designed to help you understand your obligations, assess what is required of your practice, and steps to implement an effective AML/CTF framework.
To complement the guides, a suitability assessment tool has also been developed to help you determine whether AUSTRAC’s Program Starter Kits can be applied to your practice, or whether adjustments are needed to reflect your practice.
The Law Society has prepared a Privacy Policy template to assist practices that may have new obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and a client information sheet to help explain the changes and what they mean for your clients.
To help your law practice comply with mandatory costs disclosure requirements under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) (Uniform Law), the Law Society’s Costs Committee has prepared an updated Costs disclosure and costs agreement which you can customise. The Legal Services Council has also prepared an Information Sheet for legal practitioners on AML/CTF Act compliance and billing practices under the Uniform Law. Please also refer to our recent article Looking at the bigger picture: AML/CTF Act compliance and billing practices under the Uniform Law for further information.
As part of our ongoing support, a new on-demand interactive course, Complying with your AML/CTF obligations is now available. This course provides step-by-step guidance on compliance with Australia’s AML/CTF regime and helps you navigate your AML/CTF obligations. This online, self-paced course is suitable for a wide range of audiences, particularly those in small practices, and including early career lawyers, senior staff needing to engage with the day-to-day management of AML/CTF compliance, and principal practitioners.
Summary of resources
The resources below are not by any means an exhaustive list as the library of resources to support law practices comply with their AML/CTF obligations continues to grow. They are, however, in our view, a core group of resources that are helpful in assisting practitioners navigate their new regulatory requirements. The list of resources below includes guidance from AUSTRAC, the Law Society of NSW, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) the Law Council of Australia, and the Legal Services Council.
AUSTRAC
AUSTRAC – Check if you may be regulated
Professional designated services guidance
The Law Society of NSW
Getting ready for AML/CTF – Suggested steps to prepare for compliance
AML/CTF Implementation Guide: for sole practitioners and small practices (includes an
editable Combined AML/CTF Risk Assessment)
AML/CTF Implementation Guide: for medium and large practices (includes a Suitability assessment tool – for medium and large practices)
Protecting Your Clients’ Claim to Client Legal Privilege
Client factsheet – New obligations arising under the new Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing framework
Costs disclosure and costs agreement precedent
LawInform course – Complying with your anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligation – on-demand
The Law Council of Australia
National Legal Profession Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Guidance – Legal Profession designated services – Guidance Note 4 – June 2026
National Legal Profession Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Guidance – Reporting and notice obligations – Guidance Note 5 – July 2026
Legal Services Council
Information sheet for legal practitioners – July 2026 – AML/CTF Act compliance and billing practices under the Uniform Law
Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
Privacy Foundations self-assessment tool
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Guidance Note – Sanctions Compliance for Legal Professionals
Relevant legislation
Legal Profession Uniform Legal Practice (Solicitors) Amendment Rules 2026
Legal Profession Uniform Law Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Amendment Rules 2026
AUSTRAC has provided an which sets out its expectations on how you should be managing risks, using the program starter kits, managing risks where there is no settled AUSTRAC position and meeting AUSTRAC’s regulatory expectations for the 2026-2027 financial year.
AUSTRAC recognises that, “after 1 July 2026, reporting entities will continue to embed practices and processes to implement the AML/CTF reforms. We expect reporting entities will improve the quality of controls and reports over time and we expect effort, not perfection, during FY26/27.”
AUSTRAC’s Contact Centre provides a multi-channel service and guidance and education to reporting entities and other stakeholders about their AML/CTF obligations. You can submit an online enquiry or call 1300 021 037.
The Law Society will continue to support you throughout this journey as the AML/CTF regime continues to evolve. If you need further assistance, our dedicated AML/CTF Professional Support Unit is available to help. You can contact the team on (02) 9926 0249 or amlctf@lawsociety.com.au
Brian Barlow is a solicitor in the Professional Support Unit (PSU) of the Law Society of NSW.
