It's been more than a week since Australia's new Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) reforms came into effect.

The initial headlines have faded. The legislation is now law. The focus has shifted from understanding what changed to ensuring businesses can demonstrate they're taking compliance seriously.

One question keeps coming up in conversations with agency principals:

"Where do we start?"

It's a fair question.

Many agencies have already updated their client identification procedures. That's important, but it's only one part of a much larger compliance framework.

At Visibl we encourage agencies to focus on five practical priorities.

1. Understand your business risks

No two agencies are identical.

A suburban residential agency faces different money laundering risks from a business specialising in prestige homes, commercial property, or development transactions.

Understanding those risks is the foundation of an effective AML program. Every other compliance decision flows from that assessment.

2. Build a documented framework

Good intentions aren't enough.

Regulators expect businesses to demonstrate how compliance decisions are made, who is responsible for them and how those responsibilities are monitored over time.

Documentation creates consistency. It also provides confidence that your business can explain its decisions if questions are ever asked.

3. Invest in your people

Technology is an important part of AML compliance, but people remain at the centre of the process.

Staff need to understand why the legislation exists, recognise potential warning signs, and know what to do when something doesn't look right.

Training isn't simply about meeting an obligation. It helps build a culture where compliance becomes part of everyday professional practice.

4. Treat AML as a governance issue

One of the biggest changes introduced by the reforms is that compliance now sits firmly within business leadership.

Agency principals and Compliance Officers aren't expected to know every technical detail immediately, but they are expected to ensure appropriate systems, oversight and accountability are in place.

Strong governance has become just as important as strong sales performance.

5. Think long term

These reforms aren't a short-term project.

AML compliance will continue to evolve as AUSTRAC releases additional guidance and businesses gain practical experience under the new regime.

The agencies that build scalable systems now are likely to be in a much stronger position as regulatory expectations mature.

Importantly, none of this should be viewed as simply another layer of administration.

Australia's property industry plays a vital role in the economy and maintaining public confidence in that market benefits everyone—buyers, sellers, investors, and legitimate businesses alike.

Compliance is no longer something that sits quietly in the background. It has become part of good business management.

The agencies that embrace that reality early won't just meet their legal obligations. They'll build stronger governance, better internal processes and greater confidence among clients, regulators, and business partners.

The conversation has moved beyond implementation.

It's now about embedding compliance into everyday business—and that's where the industry's real opportunity begins.