18/02/2026
The conversation around AML/CTF Tranche 2 has moved very quickly, and for many bookkeepers and BAS agents, straight to panic.
We've heard our members asking questions like:
• Do I need an AML program?
• Will I need to verify every client?
• What templates and workflows do I need to build?
Before asking any of that, there’s one far more important question to answer first:
Does Tranche 2 actually apply to me?
Under the proposed Tranche 2 reforms, some professional service providers — including certain BAS Agents — may fall within these rules.
But not all.
And that’s where clarity matters.
To help BAS Agents get real clarity (without the noise) we secured AUSTRAC Director of Policy Reform, Ashlea McKenzie, who joined us live on Bookkeeper Radio for a BAS-Agent-only discussion on Tranche 2 reforms and the practical scenarios the BAS profession is debating right now.
The outcome? Reassurance and clarity.
• Most bookkeepers are likely not in scope
• The line is service-based
• And it can be navigated confidently with the right guidance
AML/CTF Tranche 2 is coming. But for most bookkeepers, this is about understanding your boundaries — not overhauling your practice.
And if you want support that’s practical, current, and written for bookkeepers — that’s exactly what ABN is here for.
ABN has the resources, decision trees and processes to help with your AML/CTF decision making. We are also continuing to work with AUSTRAC to help shape industry guidance and resources.
We don’t just report on change. We help bookkeepers navigate it with confidence.
👉 Join the Australian Bookkeepers Network and stay informed, supported, and ahead of the change. Visit austbook.net/join-us to find out more!
