What are your options?
With AUSTRAC Tranche 2 coming into force on 1 July 2026, a range of tools and services have emerged to help real estate agents comply. Some are free, some cost thousands per year, and some are barely ready. Here is an honest assessment of the main options.
Disclosure: This comparison is written by the team behind SimpleAML. We've tried to be objective — links to all tools mentioned are provided so you can evaluate them yourself. Our recommendation is at the end.
Option 1: AUSTRAC's free resources (official starter kit)
AUSTRAC has published a free Real Estate Program Starter Kit with template documents for your AML/CTF Program (Parts A and B) and a risk assessment template. Available directly from austrac.gov.au.
- Official and authoritative
- Covers core program requirements
- Completely free
- Specifically written for real estate
- Templates only — no app or ongoing record-keeping
- No listing register or CDD forms
- No staff vetting or training tracker
- You must build your own system for day-to-day operations
Good as a starting point for building your program documents, but not sufficient on its own for ongoing compliance operations from 1 July 2026.
Option 2: SimpleAML (free browser app)
A browser-based compliance app built specifically for small Australian real estate agencies. Covers agency setup, staff vetting, training records, risk assessment, program documentation, and a full listing register with CDD forms for both seller and buyer — including private treaty and auction-specific deadline rules.
- Free — no subscription, no card required
- Built for real estate, not adapted from banking software
- Handles full compliance workflow end to end
- Auction CDD deadline calculator built in
- All data stored locally — no server, no data sharing
- Free Word templates included
- Printable compliance evidence report
- Single-browser only — no cloud sync
- Not designed for multi-office groups
- No automated DVS verification integration
- Not suited for high-volume franchise networks
Best for: Independent agencies and sole agents (1–15 staff) who want a structured, guided compliance tool at no cost.
Option 3: Dedicated AML compliance platforms (paid)
Enterprise-grade AML compliance platforms originally built for financial services, now being adapted for Tranche 2 sectors. Examples include platforms from providers such as Salv, ACAMS, and various Australian legal technology vendors entering the real estate space.
- Feature-rich and cloud-based
- Often include automated DVS / sanctions checks
- Multi-user and multi-office support
- Audit trails and compliance dashboards
- Expensive for a small agency
- Built for banks — often over-engineered for RE
- Onboarding can take weeks
- Often not real-estate specific
Best for: Large franchise networks (15+ staff, multiple offices) or agencies with high-risk client profiles requiring enterprise-level controls.
Option 4: Practice management software add-ons
Some real estate CRM and agency management software vendors are building AML/CTF modules into their existing platforms. If you are already using a major platform like Console, PropertyMe or similar, check whether an AML module is available or planned.
- Integrated with your existing workflow
- Client data already in the system
- No new platform to learn
- Most modules still in development as of early 2026
- Coverage of full obligations varies widely
- May not cover program documentation or staff vetting
- Verify scope carefully before relying on it
Best for: Agencies already on a platform offering a mature, full-scope AML module. Verify it covers all obligations — CDD records, program documentation, staff vetting, risk assessment — not just identity verification.
Option 5: Spreadsheets and manual records
Building your own CDD register, staff vetting log and program documents in Excel or Word. Some agencies will attempt this, especially if they already have strong administrative processes.
- Flexible — you control the format
- No software cost
- Works offline
- High risk of gaps and missing records
- Difficult to maintain consistently across many listings
- Harder to defend in an AUSTRAC audit
- No deadline reminders or compliance prompts
- Significant ongoing effort
Best for: Not recommended as a standalone approach. If used, must be combined with robust manual processes and very disciplined record-keeping. Most agencies are better served by a dedicated tool.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | AUSTRAC Kit | SimpleAML | Paid platform | PMS add-on | Spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free | $1k–$10k+/yr | Varies | Free |
| AML/CTF Program templates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Listing register & CDD forms | — | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | Manual |
| Seller & buyer CDD | — | ✓ | ✓ | Partial | Manual |
| Auction deadline calculator | — | ✓ | Some | Unlikely | — |
| Staff vetting register | — | ✓ | ✓ | Rare | Manual |
| Training register | — | ✓ | ✓ | Rare | Manual |
| Risk assessment tool | Template only | ✓ | ✓ | Rare | Manual |
| Compliance evidence report | — | ✓ | ✓ | Some | Manual |
| Multi-user / cloud sync | N/A | — | ✓ | ✓ | Manual |
| RE-specific content | ✓ | ✓ | Often generic | Often generic | N/A |
| Recommended for small agencies | Partial | Yes | Only if large | If available | Not recommended |
Our recommendation for small and independent agencies
For the vast majority of independent real estate agencies and sole agents, the right answer is: use SimpleAML and the AUSTRAC Starter Kit together.
Use the official AUSTRAC Real Estate Program Starter Kit to build your program documents — it's authoritative and free. Then use SimpleAML to record everything: program approval, staff vetting, training, risk assessment, and ongoing CDD for every listing.
This combination covers all your obligations from 1 July 2026 at zero cost. If your agency grows significantly, transaction volumes increase, or you need multi-office support, revisit the paid options at that point.
One thing to watch with paid tools: Some vendors are marketing AML software that only handles identity verification (DVS checks) — not the full program. Identity verification is just one part of your obligations. Make sure any tool you pay for covers CDD records, program documentation, staff vetting and the risk assessment too — not just ID checks.
Try SimpleAML — free, right now
Open the app and work through the setup checklist — agency profile, staff vetting, training, risk assessment, program approval and AUSTRAC enrolment tracking. Takes a few hours. Keeps you compliant from 1 July 2026.
Open SimpleAML for Real Estate →