Tranche 1 · Remittance
AML compliance built for remittance and money transfer
Value transfer services are high-risk designated services. Speed of customer onboarding and strength of screening must coexist. Trancher supports efficient identity verification, sanctions screening and reporting without unnecessary friction.
Am I captured?
If you provide a remittance or other value-transfer service — as a network provider or an independent dealer — you are a reporting entity.
Designated services include:
- Accepting or making money or value available as a remittance or transfer service
- Operating as a remittance network provider or an affiliate of one
Affiliates in a network are usually captured as well.
Your obligations
If you provide a designated service, you are a reporting entity. You must enrol with AUSTRAC, run a risk-based AML/CTF program, identify and monitor clients, keep records and report when the law requires it. Speed at the counter and strength of screening have to coexist. Identify the sender and receiver, screen before the value moves, and keep the transfer record with the ID.
AUSTRAC enrolment
Enrol with AUSTRAC and keep the enrolment current — including nominating a Compliance Officer. Enrolment is how AUSTRAC knows you are a reporting entity and how it contacts you.
Risk assessment
Document how your remittance business could be used for money laundering or terrorism financing — customers, services, delivery channels and geography — and keep that assessment current as your operations change.
AML/CTF program
Put in writing how your remittance business will meet its AML/CTF duties: who does what, how clients are identified, how higher-risk work is handled, how staff are trained and how you will check the program still works.
Customer due diligence
Identify the client (and beneficial owners where relevant), verify that identity, screen for PEPs, sanctions and adverse media, and apply extra checks when risk is higher. Repeat when circumstances change.
Reporting
Submit suspicious matter reports to AUSTRAC when you form a suspicion, and any other reports that apply to your services. Do not tip the client off that a report has been made or is being considered.
Record-keeping
Keep the program, risk assessment, identification records and transaction records for at least seven years so you can show AUSTRAC what you did and why.
How Trancher helps
Identity verification, sanctions/PEP/adverse media screening, ongoing monitoring and reporting that keep pace with value transfer, with records tied back to the transaction.
Risk assessment and AUSTRAC-aligned program builder
Client verification (KYC/KYB) with PEPs, sanctions and adverse media screening
Ongoing monitoring and risk scoring
Reporting support (SMRs)
Staff training modules
Audit-ready records and dashboard
Three clear paths
Choose the level of support that works for your business — use Trancher within your existing AML/CTF operations, add expert support where needed, or have agreed activities managed for you.
1
Self-managed
Use Trancher within your existing AML/CTF program, with clear workflows and built-in guidance.
From $9.99 per week.
2
Self-managed + expert support
Use the platform day to day and bring in our compliance specialists when you need help with implementation, risk assessment, program updates, onboarding, training or operational reviews.
3
Fully managed by our experts
Ask our experienced compliance specialists to manage agreed AML compliance activities on your organisation’s behalf.
How long does it take?
Most firms move from start to operational compliance within weeks.
Days 1–7
Enrolment and risk assessment underway
Days 8–21
Workflows live and team trained
Thereafter
Fully operational and audit-ready
Articles for remittance providers
AML for Remittance: A Guide to AUSTRAC Compliance
Could your next AUSTRAC audit be the moment your remittance business stops growing, or the day you prove its resilience? For many, the constant…
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Tranche 2 Obligations: 2026 AUSTRAC Readiness Guide
What if the 1 July 2026 deadline wasn’t a threat to your firm’s productivity, but the catalyst for a more profitable advisory model? We know that…
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What Happens During an AUSTRAC Audit? Guide for SMEs
An AUSTRAC audit is not a regulatory “gotcha” moment designed to catch you out. It’s a structured systems check to ensure your firm’s integrity…
View article →Questions from remittance providers
Am I captured?
Remittance providers and money transfer businesses have been reporting entities under Tranche 1. Obligations arise when you provide designated remittance services. You must both enrol and register with AUSTRAC before providing these services.
What are the deadlines?
Tranche 1 obligations have applied for years. Enrolment and registration must be current. You cannot start providing remittance services until registration is confirmed. Keep your AML/CTF Compliance Officer nomination and enrolment details up to date.
What goes in the program?
Your AML/CTF program must include a risk assessment and controls tailored to money transfer activity, including customer identification, transaction monitoring, PEPs/sanctions/adverse media screening, suspicious matter and other reporting, staff training and record-keeping.
What does CDD look like in practice?
Identify and verify customers before providing remittance services, screen for PEPs, sanctions and adverse media, and conduct ongoing monitoring of transactions. Records of identification and transactions must be retained.
How is KYC/KYB charged?
Every verification check triggers one transaction. If you are identifying individuals within an entity (for example directors, beneficial owners or authorised persons), each individual check is a separate transaction and is charged accordingly.
Disclaimer
This is a plain-English guide only and is not a determination of your firm’s status. Whether you are a reporting entity depends on the specific designated services you provide, the facts of each engagement, and the applicable items in the AML/CTF Act. If unsure, use the Am I in scope? guide or seek independent legal advice. Trancher does not provide legal advice.
Ready to simplify compliance?
Book a short overview or speak with our in-house specialists about the right path for your firm.