Best Free AML for Accountants in Australia (2026)
Accountants do not need a monthly AML tax on every tax return. They need a clear rule for which engagements are designated services, and a check the client can pay for.
Quick answer
The best free AML path for an Australian accounting firm is $0 platform fee plus a check only when a designated service needs one. FreeAML is $15 KYC and $35 KYB, with client-pays. “Free” does not mean every engagement is in scope, and it does not mean the program writes itself.
Free platform, paid check
Searches for “best free AML software for accountants” usually want to avoid a new monthly seat. That is a fair requirement. It is a bad idea to skip customer due diligence on the engagements that are designated services. Split the decision: is this engagement in scope, and who pays for the check?
The workflow detail is in AML checks for accountants. A longer designated-services article is designated services decision trees. This page is the short tree plus the price.
Designated-services decision tree
Walk the engagement letter from the top. This is a sorting aid, not a legal opinion. If the letter is ambiguous, ask your compliance adviser and read AUSTRAC’s designated-services material on austrac.gov.au.
| Step | Ask this | If yes | If no |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Is the work only a tax return, BAS, or bookkeeping, with no company, trust, or property service? | Often outside designated services. Note why in the file. | Continue to step 2. |
| 2 | Are you creating, operating, or managing a company or trust, acting as nominee, or providing a registered office? | Treat it as likely in scope. Enrol via AUSTRAC and run CDD. | Continue to step 3. |
| 3 | Are you helping the client buy, sell, or transfer real estate, or handling client money for that deal? | Likely a designated service. Use the conveyancing note if settlements are the work. | Continue to step 4. |
| 4 | Does the engagement letter include any designated service, even as one line in a bundle? | CDD applies to that service. Do not let the tax work hide it. | Record the out-of-scope decision and review if the scope changes. |
What “best free” has to include
Confirm suite pricing on the vendor’s site. FreeAML figures are list prices.
| Need | FreeAML | Practice suite (Access / similar) | Client-pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly AML fee | $0 | Usually part of the suite | Platform fee stays $0 on FreeAML |
| KYC / KYB | $15 / $35 | Included or credited inside the bundle | Yes — client card on FreeAML |
| Engagement letters | Not the product | Often why firms buy the suite | Not a verification fee |
| Designated-service prompt | You apply the tree | Some suites detect it in the letter | Either way, the check still needs a payer |
Client-pays for accountants
On an in-scope engagement, send the check and let the client pay. Your software TCO for that verification can be $0. The firm still keeps the risk rating and the outcome. If you are comparing FrankieOne inside EngageAML, read FreeAML vs FrankieOne.
A practical week-one setup
- Mark which service lines on your letterhead can be designated services.
- Enrol on AUSTRAC if those lines are live. Late-enrolment ops are in the section 167 note.
- Draft the risk approach at /risk-assessment.
- Pilot one in-scope client from /aml-check with client-pays turned on.
- File the outcome on the engagement, not in a personal inbox.
Sector context stays on /tranche-2. Cost comparisons with a client-pays column are in AML compliance cost.
📚 Related Resources
Accountant AML Toolkit →
Complete compliance toolkit for accounting firms.
AML Software for Accountants →
Best practices and tools for accounting compliance.
Free KYC Check →
Verify customer identity in 60 seconds. Government ID + AML screening.
Free AML Program →
Board-ready AML/CTF Program template. All 10 AUSTRAC sections included.
Risk Assessment Generator →
AI-powered ML/TF risk assessment. 20-page compliant report in 5 minutes.
Free AML Training →
Online courses for staff. CPD-certified certificates included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Run one in-scope engagement
Client-pays is available. The platform fee is $0.
Start an AML checkQuestions: team@freeaml.com.au