.Market Outlook – AML/CTF Reform Driving Demand

• The AML/CTF Amendment Bill (Nov 2024) and upcoming draft rules (Aug 2025) are prompting significant hiring across Tranche 1 entities (banks, gaming, super funds) and preparing Tranche 2 (DNFBPs) for compliance.
• Regulatory scrutiny from AUSTRAC and ASIC is sustaining demand across Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) and Regulatory Compliance.
• Tech-integrated compliance is a key theme -particularly transaction monitoring (TM) tuning, sanctions, and regtech/AI capabilities.

Recruitment Trends – What’s Hot

• Sharp rise in hiring for: Line 1 FCC roles, advisory and change programs, and specialist roles like SMR leads, sanctions, and TM SMEs.
• Interim and contract roles are booming due to headcount delays and urgent uplift needs.
• Consulting firms and legal practices are entering the market to support DNFBPs, particularly with secondments and framework builds.

Candidate Insights – Skills & Salary

• In-demand skills: TM governance, sanctions, regulatory change, SMR reporting, and compliance tech fluency.
• Candidates with hybrid experience across risk, compliance, and ops are highly sought after.
• Salary ranges are holding steady due to demand (e.g., Compliance Manager $140k–$170k; Senior Manager $170k–$210k), but some senior roles are seeing budget constraints.

Client Advice – Securing Talent

• Be transparent about role scope, success measures, and exposure to high-impact projects to attract strong talent.
• Hybrid flexibility, career development, culture, and leadership quality are often more decisive than salary alone.
• Use trusted recruiters to access both active and passive talent - especially those embedded in uplift and enforcement response programs.