Helping Australian law firms prepare for 1 July
From March 31, AUSTRAC enrolment opened for firms that provide any of the new Tranche 2 designated services. Those who are ready and have identified the designated services they provide can enrol in AUSTRAC Online.
May 6: Live Expert Q&A — Sydney + online
We’re holding an AML Compliance Countdown: Live Expert Q&A in Sydney and streamed online, on Wednesday May 6. With 1 July fast approaching, this “Talk to the Experts” session offers one of your final opportunities to get clarity on Anti‑Money Laundering obligations and readiness.
This session is designed for:
- Partners
- Practice managers
- AML Compliance Officers
- Anyone responsible for implementing Tranche 2 obligations
Bring your scenarios, edge cases, and operational questions to spend an afternoon getting answers straight from the implementation experts!
Free to attend for ALPMA Members and Corporate Subscriber firms.
Webinar on June 19 with Brendan Thomas, CEO of AUSTRAC
ALPMA is hosting another exclusive conversation with Brendan Thomas, CEO of AUSTRAC, offering a further opportunity to clarify understanding and prepare for the reform.
At the date of this webinar there will only 11 days until Australia’s long-awaited Tranche 2 AML/CTF reforms, with new obligations for legal professionals set to commence on 1 July 2026.
Free to attend for ALPMA Members and Corporate Subscriber firms.
AML/CTF Resources from the Law Institute Victoria
Law Institute Victoria has developed quite a number of resources to assist firms providing a Designated Service, including a two-page Guide for Clients to the new laws.
AML/CTF Countdown Conference: Key insights now available on‑demand
On Monday 9 March, ALPMA and the Law Society of Western Australia co‑hosted the AML/CTF Countdown Conference, bringing together regulators, legal leaders, and AML specialists for a full‑day program focused on Tranche 2 readiness for WA firms.
An important session came from Juliana Warner, Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s AML Working Group, who provided a timely update on developments that may materially affect solicitors’ obligations — particularly around suspicious matter reporting.
Juliana’s session covered:
- An overview of Tranche 2 regulations impacting the legal profession
- A breakdown of the Law Council’s consultation on amendments to the Australian Solicitors’ Conduct Rules
- A detailed mapping of designated services by practice area, helping firms understand where obligations are triggered
All conference sessions are now available on‑demand for ALPMA members and attendees.
Monthly Q&A sessions: May & June 2026
Our live Q&A sessions are continuing to support firms during the transition. These candid, unrecorded sessions are designed to give members direct access to experts, provide space for scenario‑based questions, and help firms benchmark their progress.
Sessions are driven by attendee questions, but could cover:
- Interpreting AUSTRAC’s starter kit
- Building your AML/CTF Program
- Client onboarding and CDD workflows
- Managing privilege, confidentiality, and reporting obligations
- Technology and automation options for compliance
🎟️ Register: 19 May | 16 June
All sessions are held 11 – 11:45am AEST
Preparing to hire for AML roles
Many Australian law firms will need to hire someone to lead their AML compliance program. Use these free resources to learn what an AML Compliance Officer does, how to hire someone with the right transferable experience, and what salaries look like in New Zealand, where this role is well-established.
What to expect in next month’s update
ALPMA will continue to provide monthly updates through to July to ensure firms have the information, tools, and support they need to meet their obligations with confidence.
