AMLS In Action - How to Navigate SMRs

AMLS in Action – How to Navigate SMRs

Fortnightly webinar series for Australian law firms
Suspicious Matter Reports (SMRs) are one of the most critical—and often most
daunting—obligations under Australia’s AML/CTF regime. For many lawyers, the
worry is twofold: “What if I miss something?” and “What if I report too much?” Under
Tranche 2, the legal sector will need to quickly become confident in identifying
suspicious activity and knowing how and when to escalate concerns.
This AMLS in Action session will demystify SMRs, give you clarity around your
reporting obligations, and walk you through practical examples to build confidence
and competence.

What to Expect
5–10 mins: AMLS News Round-Up
A concise overview of recent updates affecting Tranche 2, AUSTRAC’s reporting
expectations, and emerging typologies relevant to legal work.

20–30 mins: Main Presentation – How to Navigate SMRs
A practical, lawyer-friendly guide to understanding and managing SMRs, including:
• When an SMR must be submitted
• Red flags and warning signs lawyers commonly encounter
• How to distinguish unusual from suspicious activity
• Internal escalation processes and how to structure them
• Protecting legal professional privilege while meeting reporting duties
• What AUSTRAC expects to see in a high-quality SMR
• Recordkeeping and managing ongoing relationships with clients

20 mins: Ask Me Anything
Your opportunity to bring questions about tricky scenarios, privilege concerns,
internal decision-making, or how SMRs fit within your wider AML/CTF programme.

Who should attend
Partners, compliance officers, MLROs, fee earners, and anyone responsible for
identifying or escalating suspicious matters within their practice.

Why attend
To gain clarity, reduce uncertainty, and build confidence in handling one of the most
important obligations under the soon-to-apply AML/CTF regime.

We kindly request that registrations be made using a work email address. This helps us to ensure the content and discussions are directly relevant to our intended audience and maintains the integrity of the event for genuine delegates.