1. Our approach to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing compliance
From 1 July 2026, Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (“AML/CTF”) laws apply to certain legal services. These laws are administered by AUSTRAC and are designed to help prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, proliferation financing and other serious financial crime.
Burke Lawyers is committed to meeting its legal and professional obligations while continuing to provide clients with practical, relationship-led legal services. We are incorporating AML/CTF requirements into our client onboarding and matter processes in a way that is intended to be clear, secure and as low-friction as possible.
2. Why these requirements apply
AML/CTF laws require law firms to take steps to understand who their clients are, who owns or controls client entities, the purpose of certain matters or transactions, and the risk that legal services could be misused for financial crime.
These obligations apply across the legal profession when law firms provide designated services. They are not unique to Burke Lawyers or to any particular client.
3. When AML/CTF checks may be required
AML/CTF checks may be required when we provide certain legal services that are a “designated service”, particularly services involving transactions, property, business structures, client money, entities, trusts or other arrangements covered by the AML/CTF regime.
Depending on the matter, we may need to complete checks before we can commence work or before we can provide a particular service. In some cases, we may also need to update or refresh information during the course of our relationship with you.
4. What we may ask you to provide
The information we request will depend on the client, the matter and the level of AML/CTF risk. We will only ask for information that is relevant to our legal and regulatory obligations.
We may ask for:
- identification documents, such as a driver licence, passport or other government-issued identification;
- your full name, date of birth, residential address and contact details;
- information about your role, authority or relationship to a client or matter;
- details about a company, trust, partnership or other entity;
- information about directors, trustees, beneficiaries, beneficial owners, controlling persons or authorised representatives;
- company documents, trust deeds, structure charts or similar documents;
- information about the nature and purpose of the matter or transaction;
- information about source of funds or source of wealth;
- information required for sanctions, politically exposed person or adverse media screening; and
- any other information reasonably required for us to meet our AML/CTF obligations.
5. How the process works
Our process is designed to be straightforward and secure.
| Step | What happens |
| 1. We identify whether checks are required | We assess whether the matter involves services or risks that require AML/CTF checks. |
| 2. We request information | If checks are required, we will let you know what information or documents are needed. |
| 3. You provide the information | You may be asked to provide information directly to us or through a secure third-party verification process. |
| 4. We verify and assess | We verify identity, ownership, control, transaction and risk information as required. |
| 5. We proceed with the matter | Once required checks are complete, we can commence or continue the relevant legal services. |
Providing requested information promptly will help avoid delays, particularly for time-sensitive transactions.
6. Existing clients
If you are an existing client, we may already hold some of the information we need. However, AML/CTF laws may still require us to collect updated or additional information, including for existing clients or new matters.
Where possible, we will rely on information we already hold and avoid asking you to provide the same information more than once. If further information is required, we will let you know.
7. Entities, trusts and organisations
If we act for a company, trust, partnership, association or other organisation, we may need information about individuals connected with that organisation. This may include directors, officers, trustees, beneficiaries, beneficial owners, controlling persons and individuals authorised to provide instructions.
If you provide personal information about another individual to us, please ensure they are aware that their information may be provided to us for AML/CTF, onboarding, verification and legal services purposes, and refer them to our Privacy Policy (https://www.burkelawyers.com.au/privacy-policy/).
8. What happens if information is not provided
If we cannot collect or verify the information required to complete AML/CTF checks, we may not be able to commence or continue acting for you, or we may be unable to provide particular services.
We will work with you to understand and resolve any issues where possible, but some checks are mandatory under law.
9. Reporting obligations
In some circumstances, we may be required to report certain transactions, activities or matters to AUSTRAC or another authority, and we may not be able to tell you that a report has been made or may be made.
Nothing in our AML/CTF process is intended to override legal professional privilege or our professional obligations, except to the extent required by law.
10. How we handle your information
We take privacy, confidentiality and information security seriously.
Personal information collected for AML/CTF purposes will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy (https://www.burkelawyers.com.au/privacy-policy/), our professional obligations and applicable laws. We will use the information for purposes including client onboarding, identity verification, due diligence, risk assessment, ongoing monitoring, record-keeping, reporting and compliance with AML/CTF laws.
We may use secure third-party service providers to assist with identity verification, screening, onboarding, due diligence, data storage or related compliance activities. Access to AML/CTF information is limited to personnel and service providers who need it for legitimate legal, operational or compliance purposes.
11. How you can help
You can help the process run smoothly by:
- allowing additional time at the start of new matters, particularly for urgent transactions;
- having identification documents ready;
- responding promptly to requests for information;
- telling us if your details, ownership structure or authority to act changes; and
- nominating a central contact if your organisation prefers AML/CTF requests to be coordinated internally.
12. Contact us
If you have questions about AML/CTF requirements or a request for information, please contact our AML/CTF Officer on +61 3 9822 8588 or at supportteam@burkelawyers.com.au.
Unless notified otherwise, our AML/CTF Officer is Kristy Muhlhan of Burke Lawyers.
Date of last review: 10 July 2026