KYC identity verification
Confirm that the individual is who they claim to be and capture the identity evidence used in the configured verification workflow.
Identity verification and AML screening
KYC and AML Check Australia
Verify customer identity, screen PEP, sanctions and watchlists, and document initial CDD evidence in one risk-based onboarding workflow.
Workflow evidence
KYC identity verification
Workflow evidence
PEP and sanctions screening
Workflow evidence
Potential-match review
Workflow evidence
Timestamped evidence report
KYC and AML screening
Support initial customer due diligence with clearer evidence
A KYC and AML check combines identity verification with PEP, sanctions and watchlist screening. AuthNTick helps collect customer risk inputs, review possible matches and document the result so your organisation can make and evidence its own risk-based onboarding decision.
Politically exposed person screening
Compare customer details with PEP data so a possible current, former, family or close-associate connection can be assessed under your policy.
Sanctions and watchlist screening
Screen identifying details against the sanctions and relevant watchlist data included in the agreed service scope.
Customer risk inputs
Collect information your organisation can use in its risk assessment, such as the relationship purpose, expected activity and relevant jurisdictions.
Potential-match review
Compare available identifiers and route unresolved similarities for authorised review instead of treating every name match as confirmed.
Timestamped evidence report
Retain the identity outcome, screening result and review status available at the time as evidence for your customer due diligence records.
Risk-based onboarding workflow
How KYC and AML screening works
Define the onboarding scope
Identify the customer type, identity evidence, screening steps and risk information required by your own AML/CTF program and procedures.
Collect identity and risk information
The customer provides identifying details, consent and the relationship information requested for your initial CDD process.
Verify the customer’s identity
Identity evidence is checked through the configured verification workflow, with the outcome recorded for assessment.
Screen PEP, sanctions and watchlists
Customer details are compared with the screening data in scope to identify clear results and similarities that need review.
Review and document the decision
Potential matches are assessed using available identifiers, and the result and review status are recorded in a timestamped evidence report.
Where it fits
When a combined check can help
Use a combined identity and screening workflow when both controls form part of the same customer onboarding decision.
01
Initial customer due diligence for Australian reporting entities
02
Risk-based onboarding for accountants, lawyers and conveyancers
03
Customer verification for real estate and other regulated services
04
Onboarding individuals before providing higher-risk or restricted services
05
Consistent identity and screening evidence across branches or onboarding teams
06
Reviewing an existing customer when updated KYC information is required
Scope and responsibility
What a KYC and AML check does not replace
The report supports your process; your organisation remains responsible for its risk-based decisions and legal obligations.
- A KYC and AML check supports initial customer due diligence, but one check does not by itself make a business AML/CTF compliant.
- A potential PEP, sanctions or watchlist match requires review; it is not an automatic failure or proof of wrongdoing.
- Your business remains responsible for its AML/CTF program, customer risk rating, enhanced due diligence decisions, transaction monitoring and reporting obligations.
- The report records results available for the check at that time; it does not predict future changes in customer circumstances or screening data.
- Ongoing monitoring, periodic reviews and adverse media screening are separate capabilities. Discuss availability and the workflow your organisation needs.
Implementation guidance
Build screening around a documented review process
01
Choose KYC-only or combined KYC and AML screening
A KYC Check focuses on confirming an individual’s identity. The combined KYC and AML Check adds PEP, sanctions and watchlist screening, risk inputs and a review trail. The right option depends on why you are verifying the person and the controls your organisation has defined.
- Choose a KYC Check when the requirement is identity assurance without AML screening.
- Choose the combined check when identity and financial-crime screening form part of the same customer onboarding decision.
- Use a KYB Check when the customer is a company, trust, partnership or other organisation and the people behind it must also be identified.
- Confirm the scope before ordering so the collected evidence fits the customer type and intended service.
02
Understand PEP, sanctions and watchlist results
The screening stage looks for similarities between customer identifiers and the data included in the agreed scope. Each result needs to be interpreted in context: PEP status is a risk factor, while sanctions and watchlist records can have different legal and operational consequences.
- Use accurate names, dates of birth and other available identifiers to improve the quality of comparison.
- Treat a possible PEP connection as a reason to assess risk and apply the process set out in your program, not as proof of misconduct.
- Distinguish the list, source context and type of record before deciding how a possible sanctions or watchlist result should be handled.
- Do not assume one screening event covers every data source or removes the need for future review.
03
Handle potential screening matches carefully
Screening systems can return people with similar names, dates of birth or locations. A useful review process compares the available identifiers, documents the decision and avoids treating an unresolved similarity as a confirmed match.
- Compare all available identifiers instead of relying on a name match alone.
- Classify the result as cleared, confirmed or unresolved according to your internal procedures.
- Escalate ambiguous results to an authorised reviewer and request further information when appropriate.
- Record why a possible match was cleared or escalated so the decision can be understood later.
04
Fit the check into a risk-based initial CDD workflow
Identity and screening results are inputs to customer due diligence, not the whole decision. Your organisation should combine them with what it knows about the customer, the service, the relationship and the risks addressed by its AML/CTF program.
- Define the identity and risk information required for each customer type before starting the workflow.
- Assess the relationship purpose alongside customer, service, delivery-channel and geographic risk factors relevant to your business.
- Use the result within your own customer risk-rating method rather than treating a clear screening result as a low-risk rating by itself.
- Apply enhanced due diligence or approval steps when your assessment indicates they are needed.
05
Keep evidence that supports the onboarding decision
A timestamped report helps demonstrate what was checked and what outcome was available when the customer was assessed. It should sit alongside your risk assessment, reviewer notes and any additional information collected under your procedures.
- Retain the customer identifiers and identity verification outcome included in the check.
- Keep the PEP, sanctions and watchlist screening status and the time the result was produced.
- Add review notes and supporting identifiers when a potential match was investigated.
- Record the organisation’s final onboarding decision separately, including any conditions, escalation or enhanced due diligence.
06
Plan separately for ongoing customer due diligence
A one-off onboarding check is a point-in-time result. Customer details, ownership, behaviour and screening data can change after onboarding, so regulated businesses may need continuing controls based on customer risk and the obligations that apply to them.
- Define when customer information should be refreshed and what events trigger an earlier review.
- Consider recurring screening where it is appropriate to the customer risk and your documented program.
- Keep transaction and behaviour monitoring separate from identity and name-screening controls.
- Discuss availability before assuming ongoing screening, periodic review or adverse media checks form part of the quoted service.
Related guidance
Compare checks and source guidance
KYC Check
choose identity verification without PEP and sanctions screening.
KYB Checkverify a business and the relevant people who own or control it.
Background check cataloguecompare AuthNTick identity, business and workforce screening services.
Request a KYC and AML quotediscuss your customer types, risk inputs and review workflow with AuthNTick.
AUSTRAC customer due diligence overviewreview the identification, verification and monitoring elements of CDD.
AUSTRAC guidance on politically exposed personsunderstand the risk-based assessment and review required for a potential PEP.
KYC and AML questions, answered.
What is included in a KYC and AML check?
AuthNTick combines KYC identity verification with PEP, sanctions and relevant watchlist screening, customer risk inputs, potential-match review and a timestamped result report.
Is a KYC and AML check the same as AML/CTF compliance?
No. The check can support initial customer due diligence, but your organisation remains responsible for its risk assessment, AML/CTF program, ongoing due diligence, transaction monitoring and any reporting obligations that apply.
Does a PEP or sanctions screening match mean the customer has failed?
Not automatically. A potential match should be reviewed against available identifiers. PEP status is a risk factor rather than proof of wrongdoing, while confirmed sanctions matches must be handled under the applicable legal and internal requirements.
How is a potential screening match reviewed?
Available identifiers such as name, date of birth, location and other relevant details are compared to assess whether the record relates to the customer. Unresolved similarities should be escalated under your internal review procedure, with the reason for the outcome documented.
What is the difference between a KYC Check and a KYC and AML Check?
A KYC Check verifies an individual’s identity. A KYC and AML Check adds PEP, sanctions and watchlist screening, customer risk inputs, match review and a report designed to support initial CDD.
What evidence does the KYC and AML report provide?
The report records the identity verification outcome, screening result and review status available when the check was completed. Your organisation should retain it with its risk assessment, reviewer notes and final onboarding decision.
Does the check include ongoing monitoring or adverse media screening?
These are separate capabilities and are not assumed to be included in a one-off check. Ask AuthNTick about availability if your risk-based process requires recurring screening, periodic reviews or adverse media checks.
When should I use a KYB Check instead?
Use a KYB Check when the customer is a company, trust, partnership or other organisation and you need to verify the entity and identify relevant owners, controllers or representatives. Individual KYC and screening may then form part of that business onboarding workflow.
Customer due diligence
Bring identity and screening evidence into one reviewable workflow.
Request a quote and our team will help scope the identity, screening and potential-match review process.