Karen Hynes - Oakley Thompson & Co

28/09/2026

Wondering what happens when you purchase untitled land? Find out here. 🏠

Contact our office to learn more

26/09/2026

Happy Grand Final Day! May the best team win 🏆

24/09/2026

If you are selling or purchasing property anywhere in Victoria, then Oakley Thompson & Co have you covered for all your conveyancing needs

Contact us with any queries you have

📧 [email protected]
📞 9379 0877

16/09/2026

Buying or selling a house is possibly the biggest investment most of us will make throughout the course of our lifetime. This can be an extremely exciting time in your life but by the same token can be a very stressful one.

Dealing with real estate agents, mortgage brokers, banks, local councils,State Government departments and a myriad of other concerned parties all at the same time can be mind numbing.

Our goal at Oakley Thompson & Co is to provide a totally professional and efficient service to take all that stress away and make the property transfer process as smooth and seamless as possible.

📞 9379 0877
📧[email protected]

10/09/2026

Ask RU OK? A simple conversation could help save someone 💛💛

14/08/2026

Please do not hesitate to reach out, we have three offices being Melbourne CBD, Niddrie and Gladstone Park

Either message myself directly or you can email [email protected]

📞 9378 0877
📞 8676 0222

24/07/2026

❓ how are you adjusting with the new AML requirements ❓

In Australia, anti-money laundering (AML) obligations are expanding to include real estate professionals and conveyancers under the AML/CTF reforms. These changes are designed to prevent criminals from using property transactions to launder money.

For conveyancers and real estate agents, the key requirements will include:

* Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Verify the identity of clients before providing designated services. This includes identifying beneficial owners where companies or trusts are involved.
* Know Your Customer (KYC): Understand who your client is, the nature of the transaction, and assess the risk of money laundering or terrorism financing.
* Risk Assessment: Develop and maintain an AML/CTF risk assessment specific to your business, considering factors such as client types, services offered, delivery channels, and geographic risks.
* AML/CTF Program: Implement and maintain a documented AML/CTF compliance program that includes policies, procedures, staff training, and ongoing monitoring.
* Ongoing Customer Due Diligence: Monitor transactions and keep customer information up to date throughout the business relationship.
* Suspicious Matter Reports (SMRs): Report suspicious transactions or behaviour to AUSTRAC where there are reasonable grounds to suspect money laundering, terrorism financing, or other serious crimes.
* Record Keeping: Retain identification records, transaction records, and AML documentation for the required period (generally seven years).
* Staff Training: Ensure all employees understand their AML/CTF obligations and know how to identify and escalate suspicious activity.
* Independent Review: Periodically have your AML/CTF program independently reviewed to ensure it remains effective.

📌 Conveyancers

Conveyancers will need to:

* Verify the identity of clients and beneficial owners.
* Assess the purpose and legitimacy of the property transaction.
* Identify higher-risk clients, such as those using complex trusts, overseas entities, or politically exposed persons (PEPs).
* Maintain records and report suspicious matters where required.

📌 Real estate agents

Real estate agents will need to:

* Verify buyers and sellers.
* Conduct risk assessments for transactions.
* Monitor for unusual payment methods (e.g. large cash deposits, complex ownership structures, third-party payments without a clear explanation).
* Report suspicious matters to AUSTRAC.

📧 [email protected]
📞 9379 0877

www.oakleythompson.com

11/07/2026

Please reach out if you have an queries

📧 [email protected]
📞 9379 0877

28/06/2026

Interesting read

Proposed Changes to Section 27: Why Every Victorian Real Estate Agency Should Be Preparing Now | By Rex Afrasiabi For decades, Victorian real estate agencies have relied on the early release of deposit monies under Section 27 of the Sale of Land Act to help maintain healthy cash flow. That may soon....

08/06/2026

🏘️ When should I talk to a conveyancer?

The earlier the better. You don’t need to wait until you are ready to sign a contract and it makes sense to select your conveyancer as soon as you decide to buy or sell.

We recommend you don’t sign anything before you’ve asked for your conveyancer’s advice – it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Contact our office for a contract review

📱 0408 201 230
📞 9379 0877
📧 [email protected]