At a recent session delivered for the Ray White network, industry participants gathered to better understand what AML compliance will mean in practice and how their businesses should prepare.
The session, “AML: What you need to know,” led by AML specialist Tijana Misur, highlighted a growing recognition across the sector: while the regulatory framework is complex, the risks it seeks to address are both real and immediate.
A system targeting serious crime
Money laundering remains a key enabler of serious and organised crime globally, allowing illicit profits from activities such as drug trafficking, exploitation and terrorism to be disguised and reinvested into legitimate markets.
Property has long been identified as a high-risk channel.
Its ability to absorb large volumes of capital, combined with flexible ownership structures and pricing variability, make it an attractive vehicle for laundering funds. Transactions can be manipulated, values inflated, and ownership obscured creating layers of legitimacy that are difficult to unwind.
These risks are not theoretical. Investigations in Australia have shown that both domestic and offshore criminal networks continue to use real estate to move and legitimise funds, reinforcing the need for stronger oversight across the sector.
The resourcing dilemma
One of the most discussed challenges was how agencies should resource AML compliance internally.
Building AML capability introduces a range of considerations, from staffing costs and training requirements to the risk of error and staff turnover.
As one business owner in attendance noted:
“We’ll be outsourcing. Why would I do this in-house? I need to factor in wages, training, superannuation. And what if they leave or get it wrong? I’d rather outsource it to AMLHUB and know it’s handled.”
The comment reflects a broader industry trend, with many agencies weighing up the balance between control and efficiency as they plan their approach.
As the AML regime expands to include real estate and other professional services, AMLHUB discussed how it will be important to focus not only on AML systems, but on capability.
Technology is expected to play a central role in managing compliance requirements, but industry experts caution that it is not a complete solution.
Effective AML frameworks rely on people who understand both the regulatory environment and the practical realities of client interactions, transactions and risk.
As Tijana Misur noted, “Technology can support compliance, but it can’t replace understanding. You need people who know what to look for, how to assess risk, and how to apply the rules in real situations, that’s what ultimately makes an AML framework effective.”
Organisations that invest early in building this capability are likely to be better positioned as expectations evolve.
A sector at a turning point
For many in the room, the session marked a turning point in how AML is viewed. What has often been seen as a complex regulatory burden is slowly but surely also being understood as a necessary part of operating within a modern financial system: one designed to protect markets, communities and businesses from criminal exploitation.
As implementation approaches, the real estate sector faces a clear challenge: not whether to comply, but how to do so effectively.
Those that move early to understand, resource and embed AML practices into their operations will be better placed to navigate what is set to become a permanent feature of the industry landscape.
AML doesn’t need to be complex and time-consuming. AMLHUB is designed specifically for real estate and powered by AML experts, giving you a complete solution so you can stay focused on what matters most … selling property!
From purpose-built software that fits seamlessly into real estate workflows, to a mobile app for agents on the go, secure infrastructure, and audit-ready records, everything is built to make compliance simple.
Backed by expert support including KYC outsourcing, ongoing training, and fully prepared compliance documentation, AMLHUB supports businesses to have AML confidence, clarity, and ease.
For more information, visit amlhub.com.au