Australia — Licensing Requirements

Published: 2026-04-15 Updated: 2026-04-15 Author: Perplexity Sonar Version 1 Sources cited in: English (6)

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Find the current official website URL and a 1-2 sentence description for: AUSTRAC — AML/CTF, DCE registration

Jurisdict

Generated by ai-lab-1 on 2026-04-11T15:22:43.514Z Source: justfixit.AI Worker Lab

The official AUSTRAC website is https://www.austrac.gov.au.[4]

For AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) — AML/CTF (Anti-Money Laundering/Counter-Terrorism Financing), DCE (Digital Currency Exchange, now Virtual Asset Service Provider) registration, use these key official pages on the site:

Enrolment and registration forms: https://www.austrac.gov.au/new-enrolment-and-registration-forms-austrac-online[1]
Specific DCE/VASP enrolment and registration: https://www.austrac.gov.au/enrol-and-register-dce[3]
General enrolment guidance: https://www.austrac.gov.au/enrol[7]
Enrol or register overview: https://www.austrac.gov.au/new-austrac/enrol-or-register[8]
Checker tool to confirm if you need to enrol/register: https://www.austrac.gov.au/check-if-you-need-enrol-and-register[9]

AUSTRAC requires businesses providing virtual asset services (formerly DCE) or remittance services to both enrol and register via AUSTRAC Online, with deadlines like 29 July 2026 for newly regulated entities.[1][3][4] New businesses must create an account on the portal first.[1][2]

Source Data

80%

AUSTRAC — AML/CTF, DCE registration

[primary] AUSTRAC

80%

ASIC — Securities, derivatives, financial products, design & distribution obligations

[primary] ASIC

95%

**Exchanges**: Must register as digital currency exchange providers with AUSTRAC under the AML/CTF Act 2006. If holding customer assets or facilitating trading in financial products (e.g., derivatives, tokenized securities), an AFSL from ASIC is required under the Corporations Act 2001 and the new Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025.[1][2][3]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

100%

**Custody Providers**: Require an AFSL for holding customer digital assets classified as financial products, especially "tokenized custody platforms" under the 2025 Bill. This applies to platforms safekeeping crypto or real-world assets tokenized on-chain.[1][2][3]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

90%

**Payment Processors**: No specific crypto license, but if issuing stablecoins or providing remittance-like services, AUSTRAC registration is needed; AFSL may apply if resembling financial products like payment instruments.[2][5]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

100%

**Capital**: No fixed minimum for AUSTRAC registration or basic exchanges, but AFSL requires "adequate capital" based on risk (assessed case-by-case by ASIC).[2][3]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

95%

**AML/KYC**: Mandatory AML/CTF program for AUSTRAC registrants, including KYC, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, record-keeping, and designated compliance officers.[2]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

95%

**Local Presence**: Must be a registered Australian company with an ABN; fit-and-proper directors/owners with clean backgrounds; robust governance, IT security, and risk controls.[2]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

90%

Other AFSL obligations: Client asset segregation, disclosures, dispute resolution, and custody standards.[1][3]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

95%

**AUSTRAC Registration**: Submit online via AUSTRAC portal with business details, AML/CTF program, ownership structure, and compliance evidence. Approval typically 4-6 weeks if complete.[2]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

90%

**ASIC AFSL Application**: Lodge via ASIC's online portal (Connect portal) with detailed business model, financials, risk management policies, compliance plan, and responsible managers' qualifications. Involves fitness checks, potential interviews; process takes 4-12+ months. Fees apply (~A$2,000-$8,000 base + ongoing levies).[2][5]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

80%

**Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 (Exposure Draft)**: https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2022-259046 (related consultation); full bill via Parliament post-passage.

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

100%

**ASIC Info Sheet 225 (Digital Assets)**: https://asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/digital-transformation/digital-assets-financial-products-and-services/[5]

[primary] www.austrac.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] treasury.gov.au [primary] asic.gov.au [primary] www.legislation.gov.au

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