Buying property already involves a number of checks, documents and steps.
From 1 July 2026, new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules will apply to parts of Australia’s property sector.
You may need to provide identification or other information when buying property.
This is a sector-wide change as Australia expands its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework to include real estate and other professional services.
Property transactions often involve large sums of money, multiple parties and different ownership structures.
That can make the sector vulnerable to misuse by people trying to disguise the source of funds or move money through legitimate transactions.
The new AML/CTF rules help reduce risks by requiring businesses to know their customers and identify when more checks are needed.
Property businesses may have to check customer details before proceeding with a transaction.
For many buyers, the main change will be simple: you may be asked to confirm your identity and provide information about the transaction.
That may include identification documents, contact details and, in some cases, information about how the purchase is being made or funded.
If you are buying through a company, trust or other entity, additional checks may be required. These may include information about directors, trustees, authorised representatives, beneficial owners or the people who ultimately own or control the entity.
This is becoming a standard part of property transactions and does not mean you are under suspicion.
Property developers may be captured by the new requirements when providing certain real estate services.
That means developers may need to complete customer checks before they move forward with parts of a property transaction.
For a buyer, this may happen at different stages depending on the transaction, contract process and information required.
In some cases, information may be needed before a contract can progress. In others, further details may be requested later in the process.
Providing accurate information quickly can help avoid delays.
The information required will depend on how the property is being purchased.
For individual buyers, requested information may include:
For company, trust or other entity buyers, additional information may be required, such as:
In some cases, buyers may also be asked about the transaction itself or how they are funding the purchase.
This process helps property professionals complete the required checks and meet legal obligations.
We will review and verify your information as part of our checks.
This may include checking documents, using electronic verification services, reviewing publicly available information or confirming information provided by authorised representatives.
If we need more information, we will ask follow-up questions.
Once the required checks are complete, your purchase can continue through the usual process.
If the required information is not provided, we may not be able to progress the transaction until the necessary checks are complete.
This does not mean the purchase cannot go ahead. It simply means the required information needs to be received and verified first.
No.
These checks are part of broader legal and regulatory changes affecting the property sector.
A buyer may be asked for information as part of a standard process, even if there are no concerns about their purchase.
The aim is to create a more consistent approach across the sector and help reduce the risk of property transactions being misused for financial crime.
Have key documents ready early to speed up the process.
That may include:
Respond quickly if we request more information.
A little preparation can help avoid unnecessary delays later.
At Cedar Woods, we understand that being asked for personal or financial information can feel unfamiliar.
We aim to keep the process clear and simple.
If we need information for AML/CTF checks, we will tell you what is needed, why, and where to send it.
Information collected as part of these checks will be handled in line with applicable privacy requirements and our Privacy Policy.
From 1 July 2026, parts of the property sector will be subject to new AML/CTF requirements.
Property developers may need to complete customer checks before progressing certain property transactions.
Buyers may be asked to provide identification or other information.
If buying through a company, trust or other entity, additional ownership or authority information may be needed.
These checks are becoming standard in property transactions and do not suggest anything is wrong with your purchase.
Providing information promptly helps avoid delays.
If you have questions, contact your Cedar Woods sales representative or the person handling your purchase.
We will explain what is needed and where to send your information.
Cedar Woods can explain the information required for our process, but we cannot provide legal, tax or financial advice. Buyers who are unsure about their obligations, purchase structure or what information to provide should seek independent advice from a qualified professional.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax or compliance advice. AML/CTF obligations and purchaser requirements may depend on the transaction, purchaser structure and applicable law. Buyers should seek independent advice where required.