If you have worked with us before, you may notice something different from 1 July 2026. We will be asking for more information before we can start certain matters — things like proof of identity, details about who owns or controls an entity, and where funds are coming from.
This is not a new policy we have chosen to adopt. It is a legal requirement. From 1 July 2026, new federal laws bring Australian law firms, including Phan Campbell & Associates, within Australia's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime. We are required to comply, and we intend to do so properly.
We want you to understand what this means, what we will ask of you, and how we are approaching it.
What the Law Now Requires of Us
Under the AML/CTF Act, we must complete certain checks before we can provide designated services. In practical terms, this means we are required to:
- verify the identity of our clients
- understand who owns or controls the entities we act for
- understand the purpose of each matter or transaction
- assess and document money laundering and terrorism financing risks
- keep clear and accurate records of our decisions
These are not discretionary steps. They must be completed before we can act. The level of information we ask for will be proportionate to the risk of the matter — we will not ask for more than what is necessary.
Why These Checks Matter
Money laundering is a serious problem in Australia. Each year, billions of dollars in criminal proceeds move through legitimate businesses and professional services — funding drug trafficking, human exploitation, terrorism, and large-scale fraud.
For a long time, law firms were not captured by Australia's AML/CTF framework. That gap has now been closed. We think that is the right outcome. These checks protect our clients, our industry, and our community. Every identity check and risk assessment we complete is a small but real contribution to that.
We are not treating this as a box-ticking exercise. We are treating it as part of what it means to run a responsible practice.
Who Will Notice the Difference
Not every matter will require the same level of checking. You are most likely to notice additional requirements if your matter involves:
- property or conveyancing, including settlements
- corporate or commercial transactions
- client funds, trusts, SMSFs, or complex entity structures
For straightforward matters with existing clients, the process is often quick. For more complex matters, or where we are acting for you for the first time, we may need more documentation before we can begin.
What We May Ask You to Provide
Depending on your matter, we may request:
- identification documents
- details of who owns or controls an entity — for example, beneficial owners or controlling persons
- information about the transaction, including where funds are coming from and the purpose of the matter
If your circumstances change during a matter — new ownership, new business activities, new transactions — we may need to update the information we hold. We will only ask for what is relevant to the work we are doing.
How the Process Works
We have kept the process as straightforward as possible. Once a matter opens, we will ask you to share the relevant details and documents. We verify what you provide, follow up on anything missing, complete the assessment, and then get to work. Most clients move through this quickly once documents are in.
We will be clear about what we need and why. If you have questions at any point, ask us.
Your Privacy Is Protected
Any information you provide is handled in accordance with Australian privacy laws, our professional confidentiality obligations, and AML/CTF regulatory requirements.
Your data is used only for identity verification, compliance checks, and onboarding purposes. We do not share information for marketing purposes, and we do not sell or trade client data. All documents and personal details are stored securely, accessed only by authorised staff, and protected through encrypted systems and controlled processes.
Questions
If you have questions about what we will be asking for, or why, please contact your Partner directly or reach out to our team. We would rather you ask than be left uncertain about what to expect.
This is a change to how we work. We are committed to handling it with the same transparency and care we bring to everything else.