Why We’re Asking for More ID: Understanding the New Property Laws July 2026

At Noble Avenue Real Estate, we’ve always believed that every home tells a unique story. Whether we’re helping you find a dream coastal home in Hillarys or achieving a record result in Carine, our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible.

To keep providing that high-quality service, we want to give our community a proactive "heads-up" about some significant changes to Australian federal law.

The Big Change: July 1 2025

If you are planning to buy or sell property in the near future, you might notice some changes in the way we handle your information.

From July 1, 2026, the Australian Government is introducing new legislation that requires all real estate agencies to comply with strict Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) laws. While this might feel like "more paperwork," it is a vital step in protecting the Australian property market and our local northern suburbs communities.

Why is this happening?

For a long time, the real estate sector has been identified globally as a high-risk area for financial crime. Because property involves large sums of money, it can unfortunately be used by criminals to "wash" or hide illegal funds.

To combat this, the Australian government is expanding its oversight (managed by AUSTRAC) to include "gatekeeper" professions like real estate agents, lawyers, and accountants. This brings Australia in line with international standards and helps ensure the property market remains transparent, fair, and secure for genuine families and investors.

What this means for you

Under these new laws, Noble Avenue Real Estate is required by law to perform Customer Due Diligence (CDD). This applies to both the seller and the buyer in every transaction.

Before we can officially represent you in a sale or facilitate a purchase, we must:

• Verify your identity: Similar to opening a new bank account, we will need to see and record official identification (like a passport or driver's license).
• Understand ownership: If you are buying or selling through a company or a trust, we are required to "look through" those structures to identify the actual people (beneficial owners) who benefit from the transaction.
• Monitor transactions: We are legally obligated to report any suspicious activity or large cash transactions to AUSTRAC.

We hear you; it's more admin. But it's the new law

We know that buying or selling a home is already a significant life event. Adding more identity checks can feel like an extra hurdle in an already busy time. However, these requirements are not "Noble Avenue rules", they are a legal mandate for every real estate agent in Australia. Whether you work with us or another agency, the requirements will be the same.

By starting this conversation early and being transparent about these requirements now, we hope to make your transition into the new system as smooth as possible. Our goal is to handle the compliance side of things efficiently so you can focus on what matters most: a successful, stress-free property transaction.

Your privacy is our priority

As a boutique agency, we take your data security seriously. Any information collected for AML/CTF purposes is handled according to strict privacy standards and is used solely for legal compliance, not for marketing purposes.

Where can I learn more?

If you’d like to read more about the legislation and why these reforms are being introduced, you can visit the official AUSTRAC website: AUSTRAC AML/CTF Reforms.

If you have questions about how these new real estate laws affect your upcoming move, please reach out to our team. We’d much rather have a chat over coffee in February than have you surprised by a request for documents in July!