⚡ Direct Answer: Businesses that provide designated services with a geographical link to Australia must apply to enrol with AUSTRAC within 28 days of commencing those services. Remittance dealers and virtual asset service providers must also register. Enrolment is completed through AUSTRAC Online. From 1 July 2026, newly regulated businesses under the Tranche 2 reforms must apply to enrol by 29 July 2026.
Enrolment vs Registration: What Is the Difference?
Under the AML/CTF Act, there are two distinct concepts:
- Enrolment: Required for all reporting entities. It is the basic process of notifying AUSTRAC that you are providing designated services. All reporting entities must enrol.
- Registration: An additional requirement that applies specifically to remittance dealers and virtual asset service providers (digital currency exchanges). Registration is more extensive than enrolment and involves AUSTRAC assessing the fitness and propriety of the business and its key personnel.
Most reporting entities only need to enrol. However, if you are a remittance dealer or virtual asset service provider, you must both enrol and register. Operating a registrable designated remittance arrangement without registration is an offence.
Who Must Enrol with AUSTRAC?
You must enrol with AUSTRAC if you:
- Provide one or more designated services under the AML/CTF Act, and
- Have a geographical link to Australia
This applies regardless of your business size, structure, or how long you have been operating. A sole trader who provides remittance services has the same enrolment obligation as a major bank.
From 1 July 2026, the following additional businesses must enrol if they provide the new designated services:
- Accounting firms (for new designated services)
- Law firms and conveyancers (for new designated services)
- Real estate agents (for new designated services)
- Trust and company service providers
- Precious metals and stones dealers
- New categories of virtual asset service providers
Step-by-Step: How to Enrol with AUSTRAC
Step-by-Step: How to Enrol with AUSTRAC
Step 1: Confirm Your Reporting Entity Status
Before applying to enrol, confirm that your business actually provides designated services. Review the list of designated services in the AML/CTF Act (Table 1 and Table 2 of Part 1). If you are unsure, seek professional AML/CTF advice. Enrolling when you are not required to, or failing to enrol when you are required to, both have consequences.
Step 2: Create an Account in AUSTRAC Online
AUSTRAC Online is the government portal used for enrolment and all reporting to AUSTRAC. Visit the AUSTRAC website and create an account if you do not already have one. You will need:
1. An email address for the primary contact
2. Details of the legal entity applying to enrol
3. Your ABN or ACN
4. Contact details for the AUSTRAC compliance officer or principal contact
Step 3: Complete the Enrolment Application
In your enrolment application, you will be asked to provide:
1. The legal name and trading name of the business
2. Business address and contact details
3. ABN and/or ACN
4. Details of the designated services you provide
5. Details of your AML/CTF compliance officer
6. Information about your business structure (e.g., whether you are part of a corporate group)
7. If applicable: whether you are a member of a reporting group
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Once completed, submit your application through AUSTRAC Online. You must apply to enrol no later than 28 days after the day you start providing a designated service. Submitting late is itself a breach of the Act — do not wait until you are operational before beginning the enrolment process.
Step 5: Await Confirmation
AUSTRAC will process your enrolment application. Upon successful enrolment, you will receive confirmation and be assigned a reporting entity identifier. Once enrolled, you can access AUSTRAC Online to submit reports (SMRs, TTRs, IFTIs) and manage your details.
Step 6: For Remittance and Virtual Asset Providers — Complete Registration
If you are a remittance dealer or virtual asset service provider, you must also apply for registration in addition to enrolment. The registration process is more detailed and involves AUSTRAC assessing whether you and your key personnel are fit and proper to operate. AUSTRAC may refuse registration or impose conditions.
Key AUSTRAC Enrolment Deadlines (2026)
- All new reporting entities: Must apply to enrol within 28 days of commencing a designated service.
- Newly regulated businesses under the 2026 reforms: Must apply to enrol by 29 July 2026 (28 days after the commencement date of 1 July 2026).
- New virtual asset service providers under the 2026 reforms: Must apply to enrol and register by 29 July 2026.
These deadlines are firm. AUSTRAC has consistently indicated that it will take action against businesses that operate without enrolling — even if they subsequently become compliant.
Keeping Your Enrolment Up to Date
Your AUSTRAC enrolment must be kept current. You must update your enrolment details if:
- You start providing new designated services
- You cease providing a designated service
- Your business structure, name, or ownership changes
- Your contact details or compliance officer changes
- You join or leave a reporting group
Failing to keep enrolment details current is a contravention of the Act. Make enrolment updates a standard part of your business change management process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not enrolling because you assumed your business was too small — size is irrelevant under the Act.
- Enrolling late — by the time you start providing a service, the clock is already ticking on the 28-day deadline.
- Incorrect classification of services — selecting the wrong designated services can lead to gaps in your compliance framework.
- Not updating enrolment when services change — AUSTRAC needs accurate information to supervise effectively.
- Confusing enrolment with registration — remittance and virtual asset businesses need both.
- Operating a remittance or digital asset business without registration — this is a criminal offence.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is there a fee for AUSTRAC enrolment?
There is no application fee for enrolling with AUSTRAC. However, registered reporting entities (remittance dealers and digital currency exchanges) pay an annual AUSTRAC industry contribution (levy) based on their business activity.
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Can I operate before my enrolment is confirmed?
You must apply to enrol within 28 days of starting to provide designated services — but the obligation to comply with AML/CTF laws begins from the moment you start providing those services, not when enrolment is confirmed. Your AML/CTF program should be in place from day one.
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What if I’m already enrolled but my business changes significantly?
You must update your AUSTRAC enrolment to reflect material changes to your business. There is no formal “re-enrolment” — you update your existing enrolment details through AUSTRAC Online.
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What is a reporting group?
A reporting group is a group of related reporting entities that have elected to meet certain AML/CTF obligations collectively. Being a member of a reporting group affects some enrolment and reporting obligations. Each member must still be individually enrolled.
📣 Need help with AML/CTF compliance?
👉 Need help with AUSTRAC enrolment? contact us
👉 Check if you need to enrol: Do I need AML? and What is a Reporting Entity under AUSTRAC?
👉 Read the complete AML guide: AML Compliance Australia – Complete Guide (2026)