From 1 July 2026, Phan Campbell & Associates is required by law to verify client identity before starting certain matters. If you contact us to open a new file — or in some cases continue an existing one — we will ask you for documents we have not needed before.
This is not a reflection on you. It is a federal legal requirement that applies to every law firm in Australia. This article explains what we will ask for, why, and exactly how the process works.
Why We Are Asking
From 1 July 2026, Australian law firms must comply with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime. This is a change to federal law that applies to every law firm in Australia, including Phan Campbell & Associates.
Under these laws, we must verify who our clients are, understand who owns or controls any entities we act for, and understand the purpose of each matter — before we can provide certain services.
We are not asking because we doubt you. We are asking because the law requires it.
When You Will Notice It
Not every matter requires the same level of checking. You are most likely to be asked for documents if your matter involves:
- property or conveyancing — purchases, sales, or settlements
- corporate or commercial transactions — business sales or acquisitions
- client funds, trusts, self-managed superannuation funds, or complex entity structures
- company formations or restructures
For clients we have worked with before on straightforward matters, the process is usually quick. For new clients, or matters involving entities with multiple owners, we may need more documentation before we can begin.
What We Will Ask You to Provide
What we need depends on who you are and what the matter involves.
For individuals, we will ask for proof of identity — typically a current passport and driver licence.
For companies, trusts, and other entities, we need to understand who ultimately owns or controls them. This means identifying the beneficial owners, being the individuals who hold a significant interest or exercise control. For some structures, this requires working through multiple layers of ownership. We will guide you through what we need.
For matters involving significant transactions, we may also ask where the funds are coming from and what the purpose of the transaction is. This is a standard AML/CTF requirement.
If your circumstances change during a matter — new ownership, a change in structure, a new transaction — we may need to update the information we hold. We will let you know when that is required.
How the Process Works, Step by Step
Once a matter opens, we follow a straightforward process:
- Step 1 — We tell you what we need. We will contact you with a clear list of the documents and information required for your matter.
- Step 2 — You provide the documents. You send us the requested documents.
- Step 3 — We verify what you have provided. We check the documents against our requirements. If something is missing or unclear, we will contact you to resolve it.
- Step 4 — We complete the assessment. Once all documents are in order, we complete the required risk assessment for your matter. This is an internal step and does not usually require anything further from you.
- Step 5 — We begin work. Once the checks are complete, we proceed with your matter as normal.
What Happens If We Cannot Complete the Checks
Under the AML/CTF Act, we are legally required to complete these checks before we can act on certain matters. If we cannot verify the required information because documents are not provided, or because the information is incomplete, we may be unable to begin or continue work until the checks are done.
If your matter has a deadline — a settlement date, a contract deadline, or anything time-sensitive — let us know early and we will prioritise the process.
We will always tell you clearly what we need and what happens if it is not provided.
Your Information Is Handled With Care
Any information you provide is handled under Australian privacy laws, our professional confidentiality obligations, and the AML/CTF regime. It is used only for identity verification and compliance — not for marketing, and not shared with third parties except where required by law.
If you want to know more about how we handle your information, our Privacy Policy is available here. If you have a specific concern, contact us directly.
Questions
If you have questions about what we will be asking for, or about a specific matter, please reach out to our team. We would rather answer your questions now than have you uncertain when the process begins.
We are committed to making this as straightforward as possible for our clients.