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Important Changes to Property Settlements from July 2026
What to Expect – and How We’re Keeping Things Simple
The way property is bought and sold in Australia is evolving, and these updates are designed to make the process safer for everyone involved. From 1 July 2026, updated Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws will apply to conveyancers, solicitors, and real estate professionals across the country.
These reforms are being introduced nationally to help prevent the misuse of property transactions for money laundering and other financial crime. While the requirements for settlement agents are increasing, the impact on most residential buyers and sellers is expected to be minimal.
At Federation Settlements, our core role hasn’t changed: we are still here to guide your settlement smoothly from start to finish. We are simply putting better systems in place behind the scenes to meet these new national standards.
What’s Changing for You?
In the past, our main check was confirming your identity. Under the new framework, we may need to request more information depending on the matter and our obligations. This generally involves understanding:
- The structure: Whether a company or trust is involved in the purchase.
- The control: Who ultimately makes the decisions for that structure.
- The funds: Where the transaction money is coming from (when required).
For most of our clients, this remains a very straightforward process that we handle early on to ensure there are no surprises on settlement day.
What Most Clients Can Expect
In many cases, the only noticeable difference will be that we ask for certain information a little earlier in the settlement process.
If you’re buying or selling a standard residential property, the additional information we need is usually straightforward. Depending on your circumstances, we may ask for:
- Current photo identification (such as a Passport or Driver’s Licence)
- Additional information about companies, trusts or other entities involved in the transaction
- Details of any gifts or financial assistance being provided by family members
In many cases, these requirements can be satisfied with documents you already have available.
Buying Through a Company or Trust?
If you’re using a structure like an SMSF or a Family Trust, there are a few additional steps involved. To keep your settlement on track, we’ll simply need to review documents such as your Trust Deed or Company Register a little earlier than usual. Having these ready to go helps us clear the path for you well before the deadline.
How We’re Making This Easy
We aren’t just ticking boxes; we’re using modern systems to make the process as invisible as possible for you. Our goal is to:
- Request only what is necessary—no endless paperwork.
- Explain everything in plain English—no legal jargon.
- Protect your data—using secure, professional-grade systems.
How You Can Help
The best way to ensure a seamless settlement is to be ready early. Keeping your identification documents up to date, responding promptly to requests for information, and having any relevant trust or company documents available means we can keep everything moving smoothly.
For most clients, the process remains straightforward and can be completed with minimal additional paperwork.
Our promise remains the same: Clear guidance, careful handling, and a smooth path to settlement.
If you have questions about how these changes might affect your upcoming plans, please reach out. We’re always happy to have a chat and help you prepare.