FAQs
Got a question? Browse answers to the most common compliance and platform queries from our team.
- How long does training take?
- How are training modules assigned?
- How does a user complete their assigned training modules?
- Why must training be completed before doing VOI transactions?
- Will the platform send automated training reminders to staff?
- Can staff start training before the Risk Assessment is completed?
- Can the Compliance Officer grant training exemptions to bypass the mandatory training requirements?
- Can easyAML training modules (SCORM) be uploaded to a businesses external Learning Management System?
- Should a Real Estate-trained agent also undertake the Conveyancer/Legal/Accounting training modules or vice-versa?
- Can training-only users be added for staff who aren't full users?
- What's the full list of training modules?
- Can training completed at one entity carry over to another easyAML subscribed firm?
- Is annual refresher training a full repeat or a single condensed module?
- Are training modules online only?
- Does training-only consume a paid user seat?
- Which training modules are mandatory for which roles?
- Do training modules provide certificates and social media badges?
- Does training time count toward CPD for QLD OFT or other state and industry bodies?
- How are AUSTRAC governance body and designated services described in plain terms for a small business?
- If our AML/CTF compliance officer is away for a period — for example, sick leave or annual leave — do we need to appoint someone else as the compliance officer? How does this work for a micro-business
- How are umbrella/holding companies with multiple trading entities handled?
- Are AUSTRAC's webinars for Compliance Officers compulsory?
- How does the multi-trading name single ABN setup work?
- How is data handed over when migrating to another AML provider?
- Does easyAML offer fully outsourced CDD?
- What does AUSTRAC's Personnel Due Diligence (PDD) requirement cover for non-CO staff?
- How does the trial-to-paid transition preserve progress?
- Does the Starter tier include onboarding session/setup help?
- What AI does easyAML use, and is data processed in Australia?
- How do I re-invite a user who didn't receive the original invitation?
- Is a free customer export available after your easyAML agreement ends?
- Will the platform prevent staff training from progressing if their Personnel Due Diligence (PDD) is incomplete?
- Does the outsource option mean the firm is no longer the reporting entity?
- If a customer cancels, can they still access their records?
- What does the Compliance Officer role actually require?
- How does easyAML support a firm with both a legal arm and an accounting arm needing data separation?
- Does easyAML use Dow Jones for PEP/Sanctions screening?
- How is outsourcing (AML on Demand) priced ?
- Who handles the privacy policy for the data collected?
- What do the easyAML agreement clauses 3.4, 3.5 and 15.9 mean?
- I'm a sole trader/micro business owner appointing myself as AML/CTF Compliance Officer — do I need to do a police check on myself?
- Does easyAML facilitate employee Personnel Due Diligence?
- What hardware is recommended for in-office client ID capture?
- How is 2FA configured if SMS isn't suitable - Authenticator App?
- How does easyAML handle ID checks for leasing transactions?
- For POA/EPA/Administrators/Executors, on whom is KYC conducted?
- Can data be retained beyond the 7-year minimum?
- Can a customer export KYC/VOI report as PDF for upload to PEXA?
- Does the outsource service work for complex structures?
- Does the platform automatically detect when a new Risk Assessment should be triggered?
- Where is data hosting addressed in my easyAML agreement?
- Do existing staff need to complete Personnel Due Diligence?
- What happens if I don't meet AUSTRAC's fit-and-proper requirements? Does my business have to shut down?
- What's the trial credit available and how does it support self-testing?
- Can two separate businesses be CO / 2IC for each other's accounts during leave?
- How does the outsource option work in practice?
- Will easyAML refund customers charged in error?
- Can easyAML invoice end-customers directly for KYC/KYB fees?
- How long is customer data stored?
- Is strata management captured under Tranche 2?
- How are repeat clients (e.g. property flippers, developers) handled - redo KYC for every property sale or settlement?
- Does easyAML send a notification when AUSTRAC's industry-specific guidance is updated?
- What does Outsourcing cover?
- What happens when the CO goes on extended leave?
- Where is easyAML data hosted?
- What's the expected cost of the mandatory three-year external audit?
- Can a customer download a PDF of the Terms & Conditions?
- How are ID documents stored?
- Are Not For Profit / charity pricing options available?
- What MFA options does easyAML support?
Faq's
- Personnel Due Diligence (PDD)
- Why doesn't the "Accept AML Program" button activate/work?
- Can answers in a completed Risk Assessment be viewed/edited?
- Is easyAML ISO 27001 certified?
- What is the deregistration process if a customer wants to leave mid-contract?
- Can a duplicate account, individual, entity, or test transaction be deleted within easyAML?
- What is the difference between the CDD role and the front-line staff role?
- Can multi-tenant data segregation be set up for businesses with multiple legal entities?
- Is there a customer-facing setup checklist?
- When creating a new transaction for an entity, should they link to an individual or be a separate entity?
- Why is the entity name displayed on documents different from what the firm uses day-to-day?
- Why might a transaction need to be reviewed for manual approval?
- Can virtual assistants (e.g. Philippines-based) be set up with restricted access?
- Can each staff member share an info@ inbox, or do they need individual emails?
- Is there a mobile app?
- Why does the role 'Conveyancer' or ‘Lawyer’ not appear in the role list?
- Can sales staff use the app for KYC requests in freemium?
- Does I need to enter phone numbers in format - 04xx or +61?
- Why is passkey the recommended MFA?
- When a sole trader moves to a Pty Ltd, must the new company be added separately?
- What does the easyAML account setup process involve?
- What's the right AML role for real estate sales agents?
- Why can't I change the business name on my account?
- Why does the temporary password not work when I copy-paste it?
- How can a sole-operator CO mark the "Add Users" step as complete?
- Why might a 2FA SMS code be rejected as 'invalid'?
- How does multi-entity user switching work?
- Why are training-only users not appearing on the training dashboard?
- How are users invited?
- Can the sector & designated services on an account be changed later?
- Can one person hold multiple roles (e.g. Board Member + CO)?
- Why doesn't Frontline Staff role have access to ID documents in completed verifications?
- Can a customer who started in the free version have data merged into the paid account?
- How does staff training get assigned in the platform?
- How long does "remember this device" last?
- What user roles does easyAML support?
- Can a user create or assign tasks to other users in easyAML?
- Can incomplete Risk Assessments be deleted?
- How are director/shareholder changes for an existing entity handled?
- How is staff training transferred between two related entities for the same person?
- Can the system bill the end client directly rather than the firm?
- If a Training video won't load in Safari on macOS - what should the user check?
- Does easyAML support SSO?
- Do clients need to download an app to complete KYC/VOI?
- Will the firm see all KYC/KYB done across the agency?
- Can one CO oversee multiple companies (e.g. a director across brands)?
- Where can I find easyAML system walkthrough videos?
- What if a magic link expires? Can it be resent?
- What's the temporary password format and expiry?
- During registration with easyAML, if I entered a landline instead of mobile, how can I change it?
- What happens with international staff who can't receive Australian SMS for MFA?
- How long does an account invitation link stay valid?
- Can a deputy Compliance (2IC) Officer be added?
- My freemium / login link has expired - how do I get back in?
- Can the CO role be reassigned?
- For a group with multiple offices that share a single ABN, how is it set up?
- When does the firm need to add support staff who don't directly do CDD?
AML/CTF basics
Getting started
Compliance Program
- Does the platform require firms to identify each transaction's risk type for the right CDD flow?
- Can the AML Program be exported as a PDF?
- Is the Compliance Officer training required before accessing the Risk Assessment?
- Can a customer edit the generated AML Program to reflect internal policies?
- Can the initial Risk Assessment be conducted by someone other than the Compliance Officer?
- Doesn't AML Reporting Conflict with Legal Professional Privilege?
- Are Threshold Transaction Reports(TTR) for cash payments of $10,000 or more handled in easyAML?
- How is a Lead Entity + multiple company-entity structure (e.g. 5 child entities) configured?
- How to Complete Your ML/TF Risk Assessment
- Do I Need an Independent Audit for AML/CTF Compliance?
- Does AUSTRAC have a numerical definition of "high net worth"?
- What audit logs are available?
- How does easyAML support the mandatory 3-year independent evaluation (audit)?
- What if I get AML wrong?
- Does completing the Risk Assessment automatically generate the AML Program?
- Does the firm need to verify the legitimacy of documents like Power of Attorneys (POAs) and trust deeds (detect forgeries)?
- How is the Risk Assessment date field set - today's date or 1 July?
- When should a business request proof of source of funds and source of wealth?
- Are Designated Business Groups (DBGs) still supported?
- How can reporting groups be formed under AUSTRAC's framework?
- Does the platform update the AML Program automatically if business services change?
- When should I review my AML Program?
- Can a single Risk Assessment and AML Program cover multiple offices in a Reporting Group?
- Does AUSTRAC require reporting entities to be fully set up on 1 July, or is an implementation plan acceptable?
- How long do I need to keep records for?
- Can training begin before the multi-entity configuration setup is complete?
- How is "tipping off" managed during CDD?
- How do I appoint my compliance officer?
- Can we still say "we never accept cash" in our risk assessment if a client deposits cash directly into our trust account at the bank?
- Can a firm upload its own externally-drafted AML Program?
- Are periodic reviews after settlement relevant for conveyancers?
- Is there an additional charge for ongoing monitoring?
- Is the AML/CTF Program a true policy document with named key personnel and procedures as per AUSTRAC requirements?
- Does easyAML facilitate Enhanced Customer Due Diligence (Source of Funds and Source of Wealth)?
Customer Due Diligence (CDD)
- Pre-commencement customers - what CDD obligations apply, and the risks of not completing initial CDD
- Can biometric verification handle a customer who can't open both eyes (e.g. post-stroke)?
- How does CDD work between a real estate agent and a conveyancer - does each party do their own checks?
- What if someone else has done the CDD on my client?
- How is a foreign non-resident director of an Australian company verified?
- What is the cost for overseas KYC?
- When does a real estate agent need to CDD a counterparty?
- Can the platform force-match a non-standard transaction past the review stage?
- Do staff need to physically meet remote customers?
- What's the policy on Australian visas for overseas verification?
- How does CDD work for an off-the-plan purchase where settlement is years away?
- What is a beneficial owner?
- Can the system force-match two conflicting IDs for a long-known client (e.g. birth certificate name vs licence name)?
- Can the customer skip selfies for a "low risk" individual?
- Who or what is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP)?
- Will the firm be notified by email when a client completes their KYC/KYB?
- When our customer is an Australian public company, who do we need to KYC?
- Does easyAML support foreign-language passports?
- Can the platform support local-language end-user experience?
- What does a KYB on a corporate trustee (Pty Ltd) for a Family Trust cost?
- What does identifying an individual involve in practice?
- When our customer is a government body, who do we need to KYC?
- Is a manual KYC permitted for customers unable to use the digital flow?
- Does easyAML's KYC satisfy ARNECC VOI requirements?
- Can ACNC/ORIC database checks be done for charity / Indigenous corporation clients?
- What does the deemed compliance provision actually require?
- What does the "maximum depth" setting function on KYB?
- Why is the platform showing "Needs Review" or "Force Match Required" or "Sign Off Required" when every check passed?
- What ID verification methods does easyAML support?
- How does Delayed Due Diligence apply to real estate agents/brokers?
- Why is the middle name not always checked, even when entered?
- Can a platform user override the UBOs identified by KYB unwrapping?
- What's the difference between VOI and KYC?
- When the counterparty refuses CDD - can I proceed with transaction under the "deemed compliance" carve-out?
- What about overseas customers - can they be verified?
- How does the Delayed Initial Due Diligence (DCDD) exception work?
- What are common Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening mistakes?
- When a buyer nominates someone else to take settlement, what are the CDD obligations? Does the original buyer's CDD transfer?
- Will SMS messages to clients come from "easyAML" or can they be rebranded?
- How does the KYB process work?
- How are PEP/sanctions matches handled when a common name returns many hits?
- For company/trust onboarding where the trust deed isn't yet in easyAML, what should the user do?
- If a transaction is sent with both phone and email, will the customer get the link by both?
- How does delayed diligence apply to conveyancers, lawyers, and settlement agents (Rules s 6-15)?
- What does CDD cost for a 2-director company cost?
- When does CDD need to be performed - at engagement or settlement?
- Can a customer's existing VOI file from another provider be uploaded into easyAML?
- Are the AML check results stored or discarded?
- Can bulk import of existing client lists be done at sign-up?
- When parents are helping their children buy property, what checks are needed?
- Does easyAML support Japanese or other non-English ID documents?
- When our customer is an individual, who do we need to KYC?
- What is Customer Due Diligence (CDD)?
- Can easyAML verify customers who are overseas?
- A KYB failed to identify known UBOs. What's the workaround?
- What are practical workflow when the buyer won't cooperate with CDD?
- What does NOT get you to deemed compliance
- What are sanctions checks?
- When a company is owned by another company, how far do we need to trace?
- Does easyAML run an ASIC search on every entity?
- Can an end customer pay for their KYC with Apple or Google Pay?
- What are some common Customer Due Diligence (CDD) mistakes?
- What's the difference between CDD, KYC and KYB - and when does each apply?
- How long is a KYC valid? When does it need to be redone?
- Does the platform automatically determine the customer's risk rating?
- Does easyAML accept externally-provided VOI evidence (KYC done by another provider)?
- What countries are high risk for money laundering?
- For a 3-director company each with 33% shareholding buying property, how many checks would be needed?
- Does easyAML go physically to identify individuals (e.g. to an aged-care facility)?
- How long does a KYC/VOI link stay valid, and what happens if the client deletes or misses it?
- If a lender does credit checks, does that satisfy AML requirements?
- Do accountants and lawyers need to perform CDD on existing clients?
- Common Customer Due Diligence Questions
- What does AUSTRAC require us to verify for every new customer?
- How does CDD work for a regular developer client selling multiple properties over time?
- Does China block easyAML SMS links?
- What does "reasonable grounds" actually mean when conducting Customer Due Diligence?
- For a buyer's agent with 50 recurring clients, do they need a fresh KYC each purchase?
- Can easyAML validate digital driver's licences?
- What are the critical limits on using Deemed Compliance provision?
- What are NOT valid reasons to allow Delayed Customer Due Diligence?
- When our customer is an Australian Pty Ltd company, who do we need to KYC?
- What does the easyAML KYC check include?
- What you still have to do during the delay due diligence window?
- Does an ARNECC VOI cover everything I need for KYC AML compliance?
- What conditions must be met before delayed Customer Due Diligence?
- Who must do CDD in a property transaction with four potential service providers?
- When our customer is a sole trader, who do we need to KYC?
- Are CAFs and additional client signatures handled in the platform?
- Does easyAML check whether the client is using a VPN?
- Can custom client onboarding questions be added (e.g. collecting TFN)?
- How does Adverse Media checks work for entities? What types of activities/crimes are monitored?
- Does easyAML produce engagement letter / questionnaire content?
- Can KYC/KYB transactions be created in bulk?
- How does Adverse Media checks work for individuals? What types of activities/crimes are monitored?
- What's the typical first-attempt KYC pass rate?
Training
Reporting
- Is there a one-page guide for staff on thresholds and when to file a report?
- For a conveyancing firm, which AUSTRAC industry type should be selected?
- Does AUSTRAC require MFA on the AUSTRAC Online/reporting account?
- Do customers need to complete the AUSTRAC Starter Kit separately from the easyAML Program?
- When to report a suspicious matter?
- How do customers register with AUSTRAC?
- Can data captured outside easyAML be appended to the AUSTRAC Annual Report?
- Who can lodge an SMR - all staff or only the Compliance Officer (CO)?
- What red flags should staff watch for when assessing whether to lodge an SMR?
- How does the Risk Assessment workflow handle a high-risk transaction?
- Where do firms enter their AUSTRAC Account Number(AAN)?
- Do I Need to Report Cash Transactions Over $10,000?
- Does easyAML submit SMRs to AUSTRAC via API?
- If I submit a suspicious matter report (SMR) will the police or my client come after me?
- Can easyAML enrol with AUSTRAC on the customer's behalf?
- Do we need to identify beneficial owners behind a publicly listed company or government body customer?
- Will the Annual Report to AUSTRAC be automated?
- Can SMRs be lodged via easyAML?
- How should a firm answer AUSTRAC's enrolment question about offshore activity?
- Should a conveyancer tick "Virtual Assistant Service" or "Registrable Remittance Service" when enrolling with AUSTRAC?
Sector Coverage
- Can a real estate agency use easyAML for property management even though it isn't an AML obligation?
- Are BAS agents captured as reporting entities?
- Do bookkeepers and BAS agents with access to client bank accounts need to register?
- Are buyer's agents required to do CDD on both the buyer and the seller?
- Are court-ordered transfers of real estate a designated service?
- Can easyAML be used by a non-Australian business?
- Does AUSTRAC's enrolment form auto advise legal and accountancy firms they're not required to enrol?
- Does easyAML support cryptocurrency / virtual asset businesses?
- For a sole practitioner in a niche area, is it sensible to subscribe to easyAML if most work isn't a designated service?
- What is the key processes when I enrol with AUSTRAC?
- Does easyAML support AFSL license holders / fund managers (Tranche 1)?
- Does assisting an executor in distributing a deceased estate fall under designated services?
- Which business broking activities are designated services under Tranche 2?
- Is tax-return preparation (or providing tax agent services) a designated service?
- For developers selling off the plan, who has the CDD obligation?
- Are mortgage and finance brokers captured under designated services?
- Are personal injury matters captured as designated services?
- Are business brokers captured if they only sell the business itself, not the freehold?
- Are financial advisers who deal with retirees covered under Tranche 2?
- Are property management, leasing and rental transactions captured?
- Are bookkeepers captured if they handle client funds?
- Which accounting firm activities are designated services under Tranche 2?
- Are buyer's agents captured by Tranche 2 even if they don't handle money?
- Which legal practice activities are designated services under Tranche 2?
- Are shelf company sales a designated service?
- Is family law captured as providing a designated service?
- Can a Tranche 1 business be mixed with Tranche 2 entities under one reporting group?
- Are wholesale company incorporation services a designated service?
- Are audits a designated service?
- When does Tranche 2 commence?
- Does Tranche 2 apply at contract signing or at settlement for property transactions?
- How do all sales agents at a real estate agency get covered - does each agent need access?
- Do real estate agents need to verify both sides of a transaction (buyer and seller)?
- Does easyAML serve estate planning law firms?
- Are rent-to-buy vehicles (cars) captured?
Pricing & Plans
- Does the firm pay easyAML for time spent supporting a client through their KYC?
- Is the "AML On Demand" outsourcing service charged on top of subscription?
- Is the easyAML subscription tax deductible?
- Why are KYB tiers priced higher for some countries?
- How does the monthly transaction credit work?
- What does the KYB unit price include?
- Are easyAML prices inclusive of GST?
- What's the typical onboarding fee that subscribers pass to their clients?
- If as a customer we need more users for training but don't want to upgrade tier, what are our options?
- Can a customer downgrade tier later?
- What does the KYC unit price include?
- What does the monthly subscription include?
- When are payments billed - in advance or in arrears?
- Are KYC/KYB invoices itemised for disbursement to clients?
- Are there price increases during the initial 12-month contract?
- When does the KYC charge actually accrue?
- What is the subscription pricing structure?
- Are there extra fees for adding offices to a multi-office subscription?
- Will subscribers be able to disburse KYC/KYB costs to end clients?
- What's the recommended pricing language for cost-disclosure to end-clients?
- Are CPI increases capped?
- What does the "Branded SMS Sender ID Authority" clause in the proposal authorise?
- When does invoicing actually start for new subscriptions signed before July 2026?
- Can the KYC invoice be sent directly to the end client for payment?
- Can the end customer pay for their own KYC?
- Is there a 20% upfront annual discount?
- Are KYC/KYB unit prices different for high-risk vs low-risk?
Sales & Onboarding
- What do we need to do about our existing clients on 1 July 2026?
- Does easyAML provide cost disclosure templates and a Tranche 2 summary document for end-clients?
- Beyond the easyAML training modules, what other staff training and preparation do we need?
- Why does easyAML require a 12-month commitment?
- Who in my business needs to make decisions before we can start preparing for AML/CTF?
- Where can a business check if it's regulated under Tranche 2?
- How does the signup process with easyAML work?
- What is included in the easyAML - AML Obligations brochure?
- Does easyAML offer in-person info sessions?
- What additional AML readiness considerations apply to medium and large firms?
- When should we start the operational readiness work to be ready for 1 July 2026?
- What internal documents and templates need updating before AML go-live?
- Can a demonstration/onboarding session be scheduled before signing up?
- Does easyAML offer webinars?
- Is the easyAML support team based in Australia?
- What is the easyAML support contact information?
- Does easyAML provide marketing material to send clients ahead of 1 July?
- How long does it take to transition from free trial to paid subscription?
- Do clients automatically receive a copy of their signed agreement?
- Where can AUSTRAC Starter Kits be found?
- Where can I access support materials and the Knowledge Base?
- Where can I find AML terminology definitions?
- What can a customer do in the freemium version?
- What operational tasks does my business need to do beyond setting up easyAML?
- Is there a knowledge base customers can refer to during and after onboarding?
- What are typical next steps after an onboarding session?
- If I'm a potential client or consultant can I access a demo account?
- What external parties do we need to engage for AML/CTF readiness?
- Should I just stop offering designated services rather than deal with Tranche 2?
- Can I have CDD-only access without the subscription?
- What information is needed to set up additional entities under one parent account?
- I'm trying to sign your agreement but the Review Agreement function doesn't work - what's wrong?
- Can sandbox access be extended to multiple team members?
Trusts & Complex Structures
- Each unwrapped legal entity inside a corporate ownership structure is billed as a separate KYB - correct?
- What happens during an company 'unwrap' when a corporate shareholder turns out to be a trust?
- How does easyAML handle deceased directors or shareholders still showing in ASIC?
- When a discretionary trust is involved, who needs to be KYC'd?
- If a client outsources KYB to easyAML and a trust is found, who follows up?
- Why does the system show 'beneficially held = false' for a shareholder?
- Can a business name be changed to display a trading name?
- Is there an extra charge to use the Trust Deed reader?
- When the customer is a trust, do beneficiaries need to be identified and verified? How does this differ by trust type?
- Does easyAML run an automated check on the contents of an uploaded trust deed?
- When our customer is an SMSF, who do we need to KYC?
- What happens with long entity names (e.g. a partnership with 15 partner names)?
- Do minors who are beneficiaries of a trust need to be KYC'd?
- When entering a transaction for an entity, why does the legal name shown differ from the trading name?
- Does AUSTRAC require settlors to be identified and KYC as part of a trust CDD?
Reliance & KYC Sharing
- What does the agreement clause prohibiting "selling or sublicensing the Services" mean for a business wanting to share CDD?
- Can a firm rely on the buyer's conveyancer to do CDD on the purchaser?
- Does relying on another firm's KYC/KYB absolve the relying entity from their AML & CDD obligations?
- Can subscriber controls prevent other firms from pulling CDD without consent?