CPD Webinar - AML/CTF Suspicious Matter Reporting: A Practical Case Study

1 CPD Unit – Practice Management and Business Skills

With the introduction of Australia's expanded Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) regime, accountants, lawyers and other professional advisers are facing new compliance responsibilities, including the obligation to identify and report suspicious matters to AUSTRAC.

But recognising suspicious activity is not always straightforward.

In practice, suspicious activity rarely presents itself as a single, obvious warning sign. More commonly, concerns arise through a series of transactions, unusual requests, inconsistent information or changes in a client's behaviour. Individually, these circumstances may appear relatively innocent, but collectively they can raise questions that advisers cannot afford to ignore.

So how do you determine when a concern becomes a suspicion, and at what point are you required to lodge a Suspicious Matter Report (SMR)?

Join Fiona Halsey, an experienced Australian AML/CTF compliance solicitor and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS), as she examines these important questions through a practical, real-life case study.

Rather than focusing solely on legislation and theory, this webinar will follow the development of a suspicious matter over time, examining how individual warning signs emerge, how they should be assessed and when the obligation to report may arise.

During this practical session, Fiona will explore:

• The circumstances that may give rise to a suspicion under Australia's AML/CTF regime;
• Common red flags and warning signs that accountants, lawyers and other professional advisers should be alert to;
• How seemingly unrelated events, transactions and client behaviours can collectively indicate suspicious activity;
• The distinction between having concerns about a client and forming a suspicion that triggers reporting obligations;
• When a SMR must be lodged with AUSTRAC;
• Practical considerations when escalating concerns, documenting decisions and maintaining appropriate records;
• Common mistakes and potential pitfalls when assessing suspicious matters; and
• Lessons from a real-life case study that can be applied to everyday professional practice.

The session will also highlight the importance of establishing appropriate internal processes to ensure that suspicious matters are identified, assessed and reported in accordance with applicable obligations.

Join us for this informative and practical webinar to gain a clearer understanding of how suspicious matter reporting works in real-world situations.

Whether you are directly responsible for AML/CTF compliance within your practice or simply need to recognise and escalate potentially suspicious activity, this webinar will provide valuable practical insights. The webinar is suitable for accountants, lawyers and other professional advisers navigating the expanded AML/CTF regime. Understanding when and how to respond to suspicious circumstances is an essential part of managing compliance risk.

Continuing Professional Development

Legal CPD:

WA legal practitioners (QA Provider ID 29250)

1 CPD Unit, CPD Obligation Field 1 – Practice Management and Business Skills. To ensure you receive your CPD Units for this event, please provide us with your Legal Practice Board Practitioner ID during registration. Note: CPD Units are only available for participation in the live webinar. At this time, webinar recordings (for those that are registered but unable to attend) are not eligible for WA Legal CPD Units.

Legal practitioners outside of WA

If you consider that this webinar satisfies your individual requirement, or is relevant to your immediate or long-term professional development needs, you may claim 0.5 CPD Units for every 30 minutes of attendance and participation.

Accounting CPD:

1 CPD Point

• 2/12/2026 - CPD Webinar - AML/CTF Suspicious Matter Reporting: A Practical Case Study

• 10/11/2026 - CPD Webinar - Tax and Criminal Conduct

• 14/10/2026 - Webinar On Demand - The Intersection Between Family Law and Wills & Estates in Estate Planning

• 16/09/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Blended Families and Beneficiary Battles

• 9/09/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Small Business Restructuring

• 2/09/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Laws in Australia

• 26/08/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Limited Recourse Borrowing Arrangements in 2026 and Beyond

• 19/08/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Lawfully Terminating the Retainer – The Why, When and How

• 5/08/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Testamentary Trusts – Tax, Structure and Estate

• 29/07/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Why Asset Protection Strategies Fail

• 22/07/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Business Sale Agreements

• 3/06/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Exploring Director Liability

• 2/06/2026 - Webinar On Demand - End Of Financial Year Tax Rollup 2026

• 27/05/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Taxation of Estates and Executors – Poisoned Chalice or Holy Grail?

• 26/05/2026 - Webinar On Demand - End Of Financial Year SMSF Planning 2026

• 20/05/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Social Media Ban in Australia – Legal Implications for Social Media Providers

• 6/05/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Onboarding Clients Under the AML/CTF Regime

• 1/04/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Tax on Foreign Trusts

• 4/03/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Checklist for AML/CTF

• 4/02/2026 - Webinar On Demand - Intellectual Property Basics and How to Protect IP Assets in Your Business

• 10/12/2025 - Webinar On Demand - Setting up a Charity

• 3/12/2025 - Webinar On Demand - Workplace and Employment Law Update

• 26/11/2025 - Webinar On Demand - Estate Planning Part 2 - Testamentary Trusts, Superannuation & Taxation

• 29/10/2025 - Webinar On Demand - Digital Contracting & Enforceability in 2025 - E-Signatures, AI, and the New

Presenter: Fiona Halsey
AML Trainer

Fiona has practised in regulatory and financial services law since 1993. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1993 before becoming a director and in-house counsel for international accounting firm EY. In 2000 she established Halsey Legal Services.

Fiona is a past national councillor of the Tax Institute. She is an owner and founder of Licensee Solutions, a well-known financial services compliance provider and is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS). She established AML Trainer earlier this year.

Fiona has been recognised in 2025 in Australia’s Best Lawyers.