AMLify for Real Estate: New Features Before 1 July

AMLify's real estate agents compliance module is purpose-built for Australian property professionals meeting their Tranche 2 obligations — covering buyer and seller verification, third-party payment controls, beneficial ownership checks on entity purchasers, and a guided AML/CTF programme builder, all supported by the Ami AI assistant. Now that Tranche 2 has commenced, here is what the module includes and how agencies are using it to get compliant before the deadline.

What does AMLify's real estate module include?

The module covers the full AML/CTF obligation lifecycle for real estate agents that facilitate the buying and selling of real property — one of the highest-risk designated services under Tranche 2. Core capabilities include: - Guided Part A and Part B programme builder — a structured workflow that walks the agency's AMLCO through every required element, calibrated to the real estate sector's risk profile, producing a version-controlled document ready for principal approval - ML/TF risk assessment — a structured tool that generates a documented risk assessment aligned to the agency's client types, transaction volumes, property categories, and geographic risk - Buyer and seller CDD workflows — separate onboarding checklists for individual and entity clients, with prompts for identification, verification, and beneficial ownership mapping where an entity purchaser is involved - Third-party payment controls — a structured workflow for assessing and documenting funds received from parties other than the buyer or mortgagee, with red-flag detection for unusual payment sources - PEP and sanctions screening — integrated at onboarding and configured for periodic re-screening on the schedule the programme specifies - AUSTRAC reporting — suspicious matter report (SMR) and threshold transaction report (TTR) workflows aligned to AUSTRAC format requirements, with tipping-off safeguards built in - Staff training module — structured training content for sales and property management staff, with completion tracking and record-keeping - Ami AI assistant — AMLify's AI compliance copilot, trained on the AML/CTF Act 2006 and AUSTRAC guidance, available to answer real estate-specific compliance questions in plain English

How does the programme builder work for real estate agencies?

The programme builder guides the agency through each required element of Part A and Part B using a structured interview. For real estate, the workflow is pre-loaded with the designated services applicable to property professionals — primarily facilitating the purchase or sale of real property on behalf of a client. The builder prompts for the agency's specific risk profile: the types of property it transacts, its client geographic spread, transaction volumes, and payment methods it routinely encounters. It then generates a written programme document naming the AMLCO, setting out the customer acceptance policy, specifying CDD procedures for buyers and sellers, and documenting the independent review schedule. Most agencies complete the programme build in a single session of 20 to 30 minutes. See the full capability overview on the AMLify features page.

How do third-party payment controls work in AMLify?

Third-party payments — where funds for a property purchase arrive from someone other than the buyer or their mortgage lender — are one of the primary money laundering vectors in Australian real estate. AUSTRAC guidance and the Tranche 2 reforms require agencies to apply enhanced scrutiny when a payment source does not match the purchaser on record. AMLify's third-party payment workflow prompts the AMLCO or supervising staff member to document the payment source, the stated reason for the arrangement, and any corroborating evidence. Where the explanation is unsatisfactory or the payment pattern matches a known red flag — such as funds arriving in multiple transfers just below the $10,000 reporting threshold, or originating from an unrelated third-party company — the workflow escalates the matter for suspicious matter report consideration. Every decision is logged against the property transaction record with a full audit trail. Read more about the underlying obligations in third-party payments in real estate: AML obligations.

How does buyer and seller verification work in AMLify?

AMLify's CDD workflows for real estate are structured around the transaction role — buyer or seller — because the risk profile and verification requirements differ between the two. For individual buyers and sellers, the workflow collects and records standard identification: full name, date of birth, residential address, and verification against an Australian identity document. For entity purchasers — companies, trusts, and self-managed superannuation funds — the workflow extends to beneficial ownership mapping, requiring the agent to identify the natural persons who ultimately own or control the purchasing entity. For higher-risk transactions, enhanced due diligence prompts apply automatically: for example, where the purchaser is identified as a politically exposed person, where the transaction involves a high-value commercial property, or where the payment source is offshore. See how this fits the broader CDD framework on the AMLify real estate industry page.

Can a real estate agency use AMLify if it also does property management?

AMLify's real estate module is scoped to the designated services under Tranche 2 — specifically, facilitating property purchases and sales on behalf of clients. Residential property management (rent collection, lease management, maintenance coordination) is not currently a designated service and does not independently trigger AML/CTF obligations. However, many agencies conduct both activities, and AMLify's client record system lets agencies manage designated-service CDD files alongside their existing property management relationships without creating duplicate records. The programme builder also allows the agency to clearly document which activities are in scope for AML/CTF obligations and which are not — a record AUSTRAC would expect to see if it reviewed the agency's compliance approach.

Key Takeaways

• AMLify's real estate module covers the full Tranche 2 obligation lifecycle — programme builder, ML/TF risk assessment, buyer and seller CDD, third-party payment controls, AUSTRAC reporting, and staff training
• The guided programme builder produces a compliant Part A and Part B in under 30 minutes, with version control and principal approval tracking built in
• Third-party payment controls provide structured red-flag detection and documented decision trails for the highest-risk payment scenario in Australian real estate
• Buyer and seller CDD scales from standard individual verification to beneficial ownership mapping for entity purchasers including companies, trusts, and SMSFs
• Get compliant now — start a free 14-day trial at AMLify pricing to have a compliant programme approved

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take for a real estate agency to set up AMLify?

Most Australian real estate agencies complete the initial setup — confirming their service scope, generating a draft programme, and creating their first buyer CDD workflow — in a single session of 20 to 30 minutes. The guided programme builder handles the structural work, so the AMLCO or principal only needs to review the output and confirm agency-specific details. Programme approval by senior management can be completed in the same session using AMLify's built-in approval workflow.

Q: Does AMLify work for boutique and independent agencies as well as franchise networks?

Yes. AMLify is designed to be proportionate and works for sole-operator agencies, boutique firms, and larger franchise networks alike. The Starter plan is priced for smaller operations, and the programme builder scales to reflect the agency's size and risk profile rather than applying a one-size framework. Franchise networks where each office operates as a separate legal entity will need a separate AMLify account for each entity that provides designated services.

Q: How does AMLify handle suspicious matter reporting for real estate transactions?

AMLify's SMR workflow guides the AMLCO or principal through the assessment and documentation process — capturing the observed behaviour, the basis for reasonable suspicion, and the decision reached — and produces a record in the format expected by AUSTRAC. The workflow enforces the three-business-day lodgement window and maintains a tipping-off safeguard, ensuring staff are not prompted to alert the client. Lodgement is completed via the AUSTRAC Online portal; AMLify's workflow ensures the underlying decision is documented and the report prepared before that submission step.

Q: Is there a discount for real estate agencies subscribing now that Tranche 2 is live?

Yes. Our Compliance Kickstart offer gives any Australian business that starts a subscription by 31 July 2026 a 30% discount for the first six months (code KICKSTART30). Every plan includes a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, so real estate agencies can generate a full draft programme and test the CDD workflows before committing. See AMLify pricing for current plan details.

This is general information only and not a substitute for legal advice.

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