Regulatory & Compliance Lawyers Australia
Summary
Astris Law assists Australian businesses with regulatory compliance across ASIC, ACCC and AUSTRAC frameworks. Services include responding to regulatory investigations, Australian Consumer Law compliance, AFSL and ACL licensing, AML/CTF programs, compliance framework design, Tranche 2 readiness and enforcement defence under the Corporations Act 2001, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.
Overview
Australian businesses operate within an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Astris Law can help clients understand their compliance obligations, implement effective compliance programs and respond to regulatory inquiries and enforcement action. We work across ASIC matters, ACCC investigations, AUSTRAC enforcement, Australian Consumer Law and AML/CTF compliance to keep businesses compliant and prepared.
Australia's AML/CTF regime has applied to financial services, gambling and bullion dealers since 2006. From 2026, Tranche 2 extends the regime to lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, TCSPs, precious metals and stones dealers, property developers, business brokers and other designated service providers. Whether an established reporting entity or a Tranche 2 entrant, Astris Law treats AML/CTF as a core operational risk — not an isolated compliance exercise.
How We Help
Astris Law assists Brisbane businesses and directors facing regulatory investigations, enforcement action and compliance obligations across ASIC, ACCC and AUSTRAC. When a regulator comes knocking — whether through a compulsory notice, a dawn raid, an infringement notice or a show cause letter — the response you give in the first days and weeks shapes the entire trajectory of the matter. We provide immediate, strategic advice that protects your position from the outset.
Our regulatory practice covers investigations and enforcement under the Corporations Act 2001, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Australian Consumer Law. We advise on AFSL and ACL licensing, design and review compliance programs, manage breach reporting obligations, and defend enforcement proceedings brought by ASIC, the ACCC and other regulators. For Brisbane businesses in financial services, we also handle AFCA complaints and external dispute resolution matters.
Astris Law is one of a small number of Australian law firms with a dedicated AML/CTF compliance practice. We advise reporting entities on every aspect of their obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, from initial AUSTRAC registration and AML/CTF program development through to enforcement defence and remediation. From 2026, the AML/CTF regime extends to lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, trust and company service providers and other designated services under Tranche 2.
Regulatory compliance is not a one-off exercise. The legislative landscape shifts constantly — new design and distribution obligations, stricter breach reporting requirements, expanded product intervention powers and evolving enforcement priorities all demand ongoing attention. Astris Law works with Brisbane businesses to build compliance frameworks that are practical, proportionate and defensible, so that when a regulator does review your operations, you have a clear record of systematic compliance.
Common Situations
- ASIC has issued a compulsory notice requiring your company to produce documents or attend an examination
- Your business has received an infringement notice or show cause letter from a regulator and you need to respond within a tight deadline
- You need to design or overhaul your compliance program to meet current ASIC or ACCC expectations
- A customer complaint has escalated to an AFCA determination or an ACCC investigation into misleading conduct
- Your AFSL or ACL licence is subject to conditions, variation or cancellation and you need to make submissions to ASIC
- You have identified an internal compliance breach and need advice on breach reporting obligations and remediation
- Your business is a reporting entity and AUSTRAC has commenced an investigation or issued an infringement notice
- You need an AML/CTF program developed, reviewed or remediated to meet current AUSTRAC expectations
- Your business provides designated services and needs to prepare for Tranche 2 AML/CTF obligations from 2026
Why Astris Law
As a boutique Brisbane firm, Astris Law provides the direct principal access and responsiveness that regulatory matters demand — you are not passed between departments or delegated to juniors during a crisis.
What We Can Do
Our Special Interests
Key Legislation & Frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if ASIC is investigating my business?
If ASIC is investigating your business, you should immediately seek legal advice. ASIC has broad investigative powers including the ability to compel attendance, production of documents and examination under oath. You have rights including legal professional privilege and the privilege against self-incrimination in certain circumstances. Early legal engagement can help manage the investigation and negotiate outcomes such as enforceable undertakings.
What is the Australian Consumer Law and how does it affect my business?
The Australian Consumer Law (ACL), contained in Schedule 2 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, applies to all businesses operating in Australia. It prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct, unconscionable conduct and unfair contract terms. It provides consumer guarantees for goods and services and gives the ACCC enforcement powers including product recalls, infringement notices and court-ordered penalties.
Do I need an AFSL or ACL for my business in Australia?
You need an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) if you provide financial services including dealing in financial products, providing financial advice or operating a financial market. You need an Australian Credit Licence (ACL) if you engage in credit activities. Exemptions may apply, and authorised representative arrangements can provide an alternative to holding your own licence.
What is an AML/CTF program and do I need one in Australia?
An AML/CTF program is a compliance framework required under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) for all reporting entities. It must include customer identification procedures, ongoing customer due diligence, transaction monitoring and suspicious matter reporting processes. If your business provides designated services including financial services, gambling, bullion dealing or (from 2026) professional services under Tranche 2, you are required to have an AML/CTF program registered with AUSTRAC.
What is Tranche 2 AML and when does it start in Australia?
Tranche 2 extends Australia's AML/CTF regime to lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, trust and company service providers (TCSPs), precious metals and stones dealers, property developers, business brokers and other designated service providers. These entities will become reporting entities for the first time, requiring AML/CTF programs, AUSTRAC registration and ongoing compliance frameworks from 2026.
What is an enforceable undertaking from ASIC?
An enforceable undertaking is a written agreement between ASIC and a person or company in which the entity commits to taking specific actions to address compliance concerns. It is an alternative to court proceedings and is legally binding. Breaching an enforceable undertaking allows ASIC to seek court orders enforcing compliance. Negotiating an EU can be a favourable outcome compared to civil penalty proceedings.
What penalties apply for breaching Australian Consumer Law?
Penalties for breaching the Australian Consumer Law can be severe. For bodies corporate, the maximum civil penalty is the greater of $50 million, three times the benefit obtained or 30% of turnover. For individuals, the maximum is $2.5 million. The ACCC can also seek injunctions, disqualification orders, adverse publicity orders and community service orders.
Industries We Serve in Regulatory & Compliance
Banking, Private Equity & Venture Capital
Strategic legal counsel for banks, private equity firms and venture capital funds.
Gambling
Specialist legal counsel for casinos, online wagering operators and gaming technology providers.
Insurance
Legal services for insurers, brokers, underwriters and policyholders.
Fintech
Innovative legal solutions for payment platforms, neobanks and financial technology disruptors.
Need a regulatory & compliance lawyer? Talk to Astris Law.
We work directly with our clients on regulatory & compliance matters across Australia. No layers, no committees. One lawyer who understands your business completely.