At MCG Property Shoalhaven, our core values are built on integrity, honesty, and providing a seamless, stress-free real estate experience. In line with these values and our strict legal obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth), we are dedicated to preventing financial crime within our local South Coast property market.
Australia's national regulator, AUSTRAC, requires real estate transactions nationwide to undergo mandatory identity and fund verification. Whether you are selling your family home in Nowra, purchasing an investment property in Jervis Bay, or leasing through our property management division, our team led by Cindy McGillivray is here to guide you transparently through these compliance requirements.
Why We Require Your Identity Documents
AUSTRAC acts as the Australian Government's financial intelligence agency, tasked with keeping the financial system safe from money laundering and terrorism financing. Under federal law, real estate agencies are designated reporting entities. This means we are legally required to verify the true identity of every individual, company, or trust participating in a property transaction before a deal or contract can be officially executed.
These mandatory verification checks ensure that the property market remains secure, legitimate, and safe for everyone in our community.
The Specific Information and Documents We Collect
To satisfy our statutory AUSTRAC duties and in full alignment with our business operations, our sales and management teams will securely collect and verify specific details depending on your legal entity structure:
1. Individual Buyers, Sellers, and Tenancy Applicants
You will need to provide current, government-issued documents that clearly confirm your:
Acceptable Primary ID Documents:
Acceptable Secondary Support Documents (required if your primary ID does not show your current residential address):
2. Companies, Trusts, and Super Funds (SMSFs)
If you are transacting through an entity structure, federal law requires us to look through the legal layers to verify the real people behind them. We will require:
Official company registration documents (e.g., historical ASIC search certificates)
Fully executed Trust Deeds or SMSF documentation
Completed verification and primary ID documents for all directors, trustees, and any ultimate beneficial owners holding a 25% or greater share of the entity.
3. Enhanced Due Diligence & Source of Funds
In compliance with regulatory standards, you may also be requested to provide basic documentation verifying your source of wealth or the origin of the funds being used for a property deposit or final settlement. This could include bank statements showing accumulated savings, formal loan approval documents, or a signed statement from your financial representative.
How Your Privacy and Data Are Protected
We understand that providing personal identity documentation requires absolute trust. We handle all compliance data strictly in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).
Secure Storage: Personal information is stored securely across both password-protected electronic systems and physical formats to prevent unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure.
Strict Access Limits: Your compliance details are restricted strictly to internal business operations, compliance auditing, and legal obligations. They will never be shared for third-party marketing or commercial purposes.
Data De-identification: Once your information is no longer legally required for audit, risk management, or regulatory purposes, we will take all reasonable steps to safely destroy or permanently de-identify the data.
Your Next Steps & Compliance Contact
To make your buying, selling, or renting journey completely seamless, we highly recommend gathering your primary identity documents before your transaction officially begins.
If you have any questions regarding how these federal laws apply to your local property transaction, or if you would like to submit a request regarding how your personal information is managed under our Privacy Policy, please contact our designated Privacy Officer directly:
Compliance Officer: Cindy McGillivray (Director & Licesee)
Phone: 02 4418 1330
Office Address: 37-43 Kinghorne Street, Nowra NSW 2541
Email: cindy@mcgproperty.com.au
For further independent details on national identity check laws, you may visit the AUSTRAC Information Page or review your privacy rights via the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner.