Anti Money Laundering Training for Law Firms Course (Australia)

Online AML/CTF Training for Legal Practices

Prepare your law firm for Australia’s AML/CTF Tranche 2 reforms, which come into effect on 1 July 2026. This specialised Anti Money Laundering (AML) course is designed for legal practices that will be regulated under AUSTRAC’s AML/CTF framework.

This course equips partners, lawyers, support staff and compliance officers with the knowledge and practical skills required to:

• Conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
• Identify, prevent and report money laundering and terrorism financing
• Implement AML/CTF programs tailored to legal workflows
• Meet AUSTRAC obligations, including reporting and record‑keeping requirements

AML training in law firms must be tiered based on staff responsibilities, with tailored content for each role to ensure effective compliance. The development of business skills is also essential for legal professionals to navigate regulatory requirements and manage compliance as part of their ongoing professional development.

Created specifically for the legal sector, this course addresses how AML laws affect client onboarding, legal matter commencement, trust account management, and designated services provided by law firms.

Course Highlights

• Online self‑paced course optimised for busy legal professionals
• Covers AML fundamentals, legal‑sector risks, CDD/EDD, red flags and reporting obligations
• Explains regulatory changes effective 1 July 2026 and their impact on law firms
• Audit‑ready reporting via Salt® Compliance LMS
• Designed for law firms of all sizes, from sole practitioners to national firms
• Average completion time: 90 minutes
• Certificate of completion for competency and regulatory evidence
• Role‑based pathways for partners, lawyers, MLRO/MLCO and support staff

Understanding AML Risks in Law Firms

Money laundering disguises the origins of criminal proceeds. For legal practices, risk is heightened where firms:

• Assist with property transfers and conveyancing
• Operate trust accounts or handle client monies
• Create or manage companies and trusts
• Act on high‑value corporate and commercial matters

From 1 July 2026, law firms must comply with the Anti‑Money Laundering and Counter‑Terrorism Financing Act 2006. This includes identity verification, risk assessment and mandatory reporting obligations.

Failure to comply exposes firms to civil and criminal penalties, reputational and financial damage, and regulatory investigation.

How AML/CTF requirements change legal workflow (2026 update)

• Matter opening must include CDD completion before any designated service is provided.
• Engagement acceptance must factor in client and matter risk (including PEPs, complex structures and cross‑border exposure).
• Trust account usage requires documented source‑of‑funds checks and monitoring.
• File notes and versioned program documents become key audit evidence.
• Onboarding delays are minimised by clear playbooks and trained intake teams

Key AML Concepts for Law Firms

This course builds foundational understanding across:

• Placement, layering and integration (the three stages of money laundering)
• CDD and EDD requirements for clients and beneficial owners
• Suspicious Matter Reports (SMRs) and reporting obligations to AUSTRAC
• Risks tied to trust accounts, property transactions, shell companies and cross‑border matters
• Emerging threats such as cryptocurrency misuse and digital identity fraud

Designated services law firms must understand by July 2026

• Buying, selling or transferring real estate for clients
• Creating, operating or transferring companies, trusts or partnerships
• Receiving, holding or managing client money, accounts or assets
• Acting as or arranging a person to act as a nominee or company officer
• Providing a registered address or similar services

Firms must also report certain transactions to AUSTRAC, particularly those that are large, complex, or suspicious, as these may indicate money laundering or terrorism financing.

Why AML Compliance Matters for Legal Practices

Law firms are high‑value targets for organised crime. From 1 July 2026:

• All legal practices that provide designated services must be fully AML compliant
• Legal work cannot begin until CDD is completed during client onboarding
• Firms must adopt a risk‑based AML/CTF program tailored to their practice
• Transaction, CDD and training records must be kept for seven years
• Non‑compliance may lead to AUSTRAC enforcement, penalties and operational disruption

Proper training helps firms build defensible processes, protect organisational integrity and prevent misconduct.

Common AML red flags in legal matters

• Unusual or third‑party funding of trust account payments
• Instructions from opaque ownership structures with no clear rationale
• Pressure to proceed before identity verification or source‑of‑funds checks
• Requests to split transactions without commercial justification
• Frequent changes to beneficial owners or deal participants

Course Delivery, Duration and Assessment

• 100% online, accessible anywhere
• Self‑paced, mobile‑friendly format
• Average duration: 90 minutes
• Certification issued upon completion
• Available year‑round with flexible organisational enrolment

Enterprise Reporting and Compliance Management

Salt® LMS Compliance LMS capabilities

• Real‑time learner tracking and firm‑wide reporting
• Audit‑ready records for AUSTRAC and internal compliance
• Automated reminders and completion verification

Licensing options

• Volume‑based pricing for firms of all sizes
• Licensing for small, mid‑sized and national practices

Decision Framework: Is This the Right AML Course for Your Firm?

Choose this course if your firm needs:

• Compliance with 2026 Tranche 2 AML/CTF legislation
• Staff skilled in CDD, identity verification and risk assessment
• Audit‑ready reporting for regulators
• Scalable online delivery with practice‑wide governance visibility

For legal teams with heightened exposure (property, corporate, trust work), this course provides practical grounding so legal work is compliant before matters commence.

Professional Development Benefits

Participants will learn to:

• Identify and report ML/TF behaviour
• Apply CDD/EDD to clients and transactions
• Implement legal‑sector AML obligations confidently
• Reduce organisational and regulatory risk

GRC Solutions AML Course Catalogue

• Anti Money Laundering Course (Australia)
• Anti Money Laundering Course (Global)
• Anti Money Laundering for the Finance Sector Course (Australia)
• Anti Money Laundering for Law Firms Course (Australia)
• Anti Money Laundering for the Real Estate Industry Course (Australia)
• Anti Money Laundering for Compliance Officers in Financial Services Course (Australia)
• Anti Money Laundering for Pubs and Clubs Course (Australia)
• Anti Money Laundering Course (New Zealand)
• Anti Money Laundering Course (Singapore)
• Anti Money Laundering – Private Banking & Wealth Management Course (Singapore)
• Anti Money Laundering – Insurance Course (Singapore)
• Anti Money Laundering Course (Malaysia)

Book a Demo or Enrol Your Law Firm

Strengthen your firm’s AML compliance and prepare for the 1 July 2026 regulatory deadline.

Request a demo or enrol your team today.

For enquiries or group bookings, please contact us.

Quick Answer: What is the AML for Law Firms Course?

This online course prepares Australian legal practices for the 2026 Tranche 2 AML reforms. It ensures law firms can meet AML/CTF obligations, verify client identities, conduct risk assessments and maintain audit‑ready compliance records. The course is designed for all staff levels and delivered through the Salt® LMS for consistent, scalable compliance management.