What to Expect When You Sell or Buy With Us
New identity verification requirements — and why they matter
A simple step that protects everyone
From 1 July 2026, all real estate agencies in Australia are required by law to verify the identity of their clients before providing services. This applies to both vendors (sellers) and buyers.
At Graeme Hayes Real Estate, we take this seriously — not just because it's the law, but because it helps protect our clients, our community, and the integrity of every property transaction we're involved in.
What is this about?
New federal legislation — the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act — now covers the real estate sector. These laws are designed to prevent property transactions from being used to hide or move money obtained through criminal activity.
Australia is one of the last countries to introduce these rules, which are already standard practice for real estate agencies in the UK and New Zealand. Every agency in Australia must now comply.
What does it mean for you?
In practical terms, it's a quick and simple process. Before we begin working with you — whether you're listing a property for sale or making an offer to purchase — we'll ask you to complete a short identity verification.
This is done digitally, using a secure and accredited verification service. You'll need:
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A current Australian driver's licence or passport
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Access to a smartphone or computer (the process takes around 2 minutes)
If you're selling as a company or trust, we'll also need to identify who the authorised person/s are behind the entity.
When does it happen?
For vendors, identity verification is completed before we begin marketing your property — so ideally at the time you sign your selling authority with us.
For buyers, we'll ask you to complete verification when you let us know you'd like to proceed with a purchase.
What happens with my information?
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Your information is collected and stored securely by our accredited digital verification provider.
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It is used only for identity verification purposes as required by law.
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Records are retained for a minimum of seven years, as required by AUSTRAC (the federal regulatory body overseeing these laws).
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Your information is never sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
What if I have questions?
We understand this is new, and we're happy to walk you through it. Just speak with your agent — they'll guide you through the process and answer any questions you have.
Graeme Hayes Real Estate is registered with AUSTRAC and fully compliant with Australia's AML/CTF requirements effective 1 July 2026.