Do I still need a solicitor for AML/CTF Tranche 2 compliance?

Yes. HeadStart Docs products are digital publications that give you a substantial head start, but they must be reviewed and tailored by a qualified solicitor to your specific business circumstances before implementation.

How is HeadStart Docs different from the free AUSTRAC Starter Kits?

AUSTRAC Starter Kits are generic starting points that require significant customisation. HeadStart products are sector-specific, pre-populated with industry-relevant risk factors and scenarios, and include 12 months of AML Portal access for ongoing compliance including screening, record keeping and reporting tools.

What if the AML/CTF rules change after I purchase?

Your digital products are yours to keep. If significant regulatory changes occur, updated versions will be available to active portal subscribers. The AML Portal itself is continuously updated to reflect current AUSTRAC requirements and sanctions lists.

What happens after my 12-month AML portal access expires?

Your documentation is yours forever. To continue using the AML Portal (screening tools, compliance calendar, record keeping), you pay $35 per customer CDD. Cancel anytime — no subscription required.

Is HeadStart Docs a law firm?

No. HeadStart Docs is a digital publisher and platform provider. We sell digital compliance products and portal access. We do not provide legal advice. Referrals for legal advice can be made to our related law firm, HeadStart Counsel.

When does AML/CTF Tranche 2 commence in Australia?

Tranche 2 AML/CTF obligations commence on 1 July 2026. All reporting entities in designated sectors including lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, conveyancers, and trust and company service providers must have their AML/CTF programs in place by this date.

What is Lawyer in the Loop?

Lawyer in the Loop gives your lawyer view access to your AML Portal. They can review your program setup during Plug & Play, check in when you have questions, and advise with full visibility into your compliance configuration. You can also grant testing access so they can experience how the portal works.

What can my lawyer see?

Your lawyer gets view access to your program documents, configuration schedule, risk appetite settings and portal setup. They can see what you've built but cannot edit or change anything. If you grant testing access, they can also interact with test records to see how the portal handles different customer profiles and risk scenarios.

When would I use this?

The most common use cases are: reviewing your AML program setup before going live, getting advice on edge cases or unusual client types, periodic compliance reviews, and advising on program changes. Some firms have their lawyer check in quarterly while others only use it when something comes up.

How does the invite process work?

You send your lawyer a secure invite link from the portal. They click the link and verify via OTP. No account creation required. They get view access to your setup. You can also enable testing access if you want them to test how the portal works.

Does this replace getting legal advice?

No. Lawyer in the Loop makes it easier for your lawyer to see what you've set up so they can advise you more effectively. It doesn't replace independent legal advice specific to your circumstances. The portal facilitates the relationship. The legal advice comes from your lawyer.

Is my lawyer's access logged in the audit trail?

No. Lawyer access is deliberately excluded from the audit trail to protect legal professional privilege. There is also no communication channel between lawyer and client in the portal. This is by design - your conversations happen outside the portal so nothing potentially privileged is conveyed through the platform.

View access · Testing access · Privilege-protected by design

Lawyer in the Loop

Name: HeadStart Docs
Brand: HeadStart Docs
Price: 679 AUD

Your lawyer can see your portal. Review your setup. Help when you need them. No PDFs, no phone calls, no guesswork.

How it works

Set up during Plug & Play. Invite your lawyer. Let them see what you've built.

Reserve a spot during Plug & Play

When you set up your AML program, you can reserve a spot for your lawyer to review your configuration before it syncs. They see exactly what you built before it goes live.

Invite your lawyer

Send your lawyer a secure invite link. They get view access to your portal - program documents, configuration schedule and settings in full context. You can also grant testing access.

Lawyer reviews your setup

Your lawyer reviews your AML/CTF program, risk appetite settings and configuration choices directly in the portal. No PDFs, no email chains, no explaining over the phone.

Call on them anytime

Edge case? Program change? Periodic review? Your lawyer can log in, see your current setup and advise with full visibility into what is actually configured.

Why this matters

Your lawyer should be able to see what you've set up. Not guess from a PDF.

Get it right before go-live

Your lawyer reviews your AML program setup during Plug & Play before you go live. Catch configuration issues early, not months later.

View access or testing access

Your lawyer sees what you see without editing anything. Or grant testing access so they can experience portal workflows first-hand. Your call.

No more email chains

Instead of emailing PDFs and screenshots, your lawyer logs in and sees everything in context. Faster advice, fewer misunderstandings.

Help with edge cases

New client type you haven't dealt with before? Unusual situation? Your lawyer can see your current setup and advise on how to handle it.

Program change reviews

When you want to update your AML program, your lawyer can see the current state of your portal before advising on changes.

Privilege-protected by design

Lawyer access is excluded from the main audit trail to protect legal professional privilege. Access events are logged separately and not visible to the compliance team. There is no communication channel in the portal. Your conversations happen off-platform.

Without vs with Lawyer in the Loop

Email PDFs back and forth for lawyer review

Lawyer logs in and sees everything in context

Lawyer has no visibility into your compliance setup

View access to your full portal, with optional testing access

Setup mistakes discovered months later

Lawyer reviews during Plug & Play before you go live

Hours explaining your program over the phone

Lawyer sees exactly what is configured

Common questions

Give your lawyer visibility into your compliance setup

Lawyer in the Loop is included free with every AML Portal account. Sign up to get started.

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