AML Compliance Cost for Real Estate Agents (2026)
Agents were captured from 1 July 2026; transitional rules phase in obligations. Use the calculator below to estimate your costs, then check the triggers to confirm you're captured.
Estimated upfront cost
$600 – $3,300
Estimated annual ongoing
$2,108 – $9,200
Upfront breakdown
AUSTRAC enrolment
Free — but mandatory (deadline for new entities was 29 July 2026)Free
Free — but mandatory (deadline for new entities was 29 July 2026)Free
Program setup (software templates)
$500–$2,000
$500–$2,000
Staff training setup
$100–$800
$100–$800
KYC / ID-verification tool onboarding
$0–$500
$0–$500
Annual breakdown
Compliance software subscription
~$59–300/month per vendor claims$708–$3,600
~$59–300/month per vendor claims$708–$3,600
Ongoing staff training (refreshers)
$100–$600
$100–$600
Independent review (Part B, as required)
Periodic — amortised annually$800–$3,000
Periodic — amortised annually$800–$3,000
Internal compliance time
AUSTRAC reporting, record-keeping, SMR/ITR lodgement$500–$2,000
AUSTRAC reporting, record-keeping, SMR/ITR lodgement$500–$2,000
AML SaaS (KYC checks, program templates, reporting) — vendors advertise from ~$59/month.
What triggers AML obligations
- Accepting deposits or rent on behalf of clients
- Facilitating property transactions (sales and leasing)
- Managing trust accounts for rentals
- High-value property dealings
Sector specifics
- Real estate was flagged by AUSTRAC as a money-laundering channel for years — expect firm enforcement focus.
- Agencies with property management arms carry the heaviest ongoing CDD load (every landlord and tenant relationship).
- Rent roll size is the best predictor of ongoing cost — see the calculator firm-size adjustment.
Full obligations and designated services: Tranche 2 guide.