Quick Answer:
A compliance officer is the person responsible for making sure an organisation follows the laws, regulations and internal policies that apply to it. In an Australian business that means owning the compliance program, keeping policies and training current, monitoring for breaches, and reporting to leadership and the board. The role sits at the centre of governance, risk and compliance.
In this guide
- What is a compliance officer?
- What does a compliance officer do?
- Compliance officer vs risk officer vs GRC manager
- What skills and qualifications are needed?
- How do you become a compliance officer in Australia?
- Compliance officers in regulated sectors
- How Sentrient supports the compliance officer
- Frequently asked questions
Every Australian business has compliance obligations, but not every business has someone whose job is to stay on top of them. Generally, that is the compliance officer.
This guide explains what a compliance officer is, what the role does day to day, the skills it needs, and how the job works in regulated Australian industries.
What Is a Compliance Officer?
A compliance officer is the person who makes sure an organisation meets its legal, regulatory and internal policy obligations.
They are the owner of the compliance program, which is the set of policies, training, monitoring and reporting that keeps a business on the right side of the law. Our guide to what a compliance management system is explains how those parts fit together.
In smaller organisations the role is often part of a broader job held by a HR, operations or finance leader. In larger or regulated organisations, it is usually a dedicated position.
What Does a Compliance Officer Do?
The day-to-day work varies by industry, but the core compliance officer duties are consistent.
A large part of the role’s value is being able to prove compliance, not just claim it. That is why records and reporting sit at the centre of the role.
Together, these six duties form the backbone of a typical job description for the role in Australia.
Compliance Officer vs Risk Officer vs GRC Manager
These roles overlap and in a small business one person may do all three. The table shows where the focus of each one sits.
| Aspect | Compliance officer | Risk officer | GRC manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Meeting rules and obligations | Identifying and treating risk more broadly | Bringing governance, risk and compliance together |
| Core question | Are we following the rules that apply to us? | What could go wrong, and how likely is it? | Is the whole system working as the board intends? |
| Typical outputs | Policies, training records, breach reports | Risk registers, risk assessments, controls | Frameworks, board reporting, integrated dashboards |
| Common in | Regulated and mid-sized businesses | Larger businesses and financial services | Larger and complex organisations |
A compliance officer focuses on meeting rules and obligations. A risk officer focuses on identifying and treating risk more broadly. A governance, risk and compliance, or GRC manager brings all three together, often supported by GRC software.
What matters is that the responsibilities are owned by someone, not the exact job title.
What Skills and Qualifications Does a Compliance Officer Need?
A good compliance officer combines knowledge of the relevant law with the practical skills to run a program and influence people.
- A working knowledge of the regulations that apply to the industry
- Attention to detail and strong record keeping
- Clear communication, because policies only work if people understand them
- Investigation and analysis skills for when something goes wrong
- The credibility to raise issues with leadership and the board
Qualifications and Background
Formal qualifications vary. Many come from law, audit, risk or HR backgrounds, and some hold a specific compliance or GRC qualification. In regulated sectors, specific training may be expected.
In practice the role is as much about influence as knowledge, because policies and training only reduce risk when people across the business actually follow them, and that takes trust and clear communication.
How Do You Become a Compliance Officer in Australia?
There is no single path. A common route is to build knowledge of a regulated area, for example through law, audit, risk, finance or HR, then take on compliance responsibilities and move into a dedicated role.
Professional development in governance, risk and compliance helps, as does hands on experience running policies, training and audits.
Reading a current compliance officer job description in your target sector is the quickest way to see which skills and experience employers expect.
Pay and seniority vary widely by sector and organisation size, so the most reliable picture comes from current job listings.
Compliance Officers in Regulated Sectors
Some industries have specific obligations that shape the role. In these settings the role is usually dedicated and closely defined.
Financial Services
A financial services business operating under an Australian Financial Services Licence has compliance obligations overseen by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. ASIC lists compliance, managing conflicts of interest and risk management among the general obligations of every AFS licensee.
AML/CTF Compliance Officers Under the 2026 Reforms
A reporting entity under anti money laundering and counter terrorism financing law must meet obligations administered by AUSTRAC, which include appointing an AML/CTF compliance officer.
Since 1 July 2026, tens of thousands more businesses are covered by these laws, including real estate agents, lawyers, conveyancers, accountants and dealers in precious metals and stones, according to AUSTRAC.
AUSTRAC says the AML/CTF compliance officer must be at management level, a resident of Australia and a fit and proper person. They must report to the governing body at least once every 12 months.
An AML compliance officer in a newly regulated firm owns the AML/CTF program, customer checks, staff training and suspicious matter reports.
Aged Care, Healthcare and the NDIS
Sectors such as aged care, healthcare and the NDIS carry their own sector regulators and standards, so the person in the role also needs to know the sector rules, not only general workplace law.
What the Enforcement Data Shows
Regulators are testing compliance programs harder than ever, which is one reason the role keeps growing in importance.
For anyone in the role, the lesson is simple. A regulator will ask to see the evidence, so the program has to be documented as well as it is run.
How Sentrient Supports the Compliance Officer
Sentrient does not replace the compliance officer, it gives them the tools the role runs on.
That means policy management with acknowledgements, a library of legally endorsed compliance training that can be assigned by role, incident reporting, and the records and reporting that show the program is working.
For the officer, the value is spending less time chasing paperwork and more time on the judgement calls only a person can make.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Is a Compliance Officer?
A compliance officer is the person responsible for making sure an organisation follows the laws, regulations and internal policies that apply to it. They own the compliance program, covering policies, training, monitoring, investigations and reporting.
2. What Does a Compliance Officer Do Day to Day?
They identify applicable obligations, maintain policies and training, monitor for and investigate breaches, and report on compliance to leadership and the board. Keeping evidence that the business meets its obligations is central to the role.
3. Do Small Businesses Need a Compliance Officer?
Every business has compliance obligations, but a small business rarely needs a dedicated role. The responsibilities are often held by a HR, operations or finance leader, supported by software that automates much of the work.
4. What Is the Difference Between a Compliance Officer and a Risk Officer?
A compliance officer focuses on meeting rules and obligations. A risk officer focuses more broadly on identifying and treating risk. In a governance, risk and compliance role, the two come together.
5. What Qualifications Does a Compliance Officer Need?
There is no single required qualification. Many come from law, audit, risk, finance or HR backgrounds, and some hold a specific compliance or GRC qualification. Regulated sectors may expect specific training.
6. How Do You Become a Compliance Officer in Australia?
A common path is to build knowledge of a regulated area, take on compliance responsibilities, and move into a dedicated role, supported by professional development in governance, risk and compliance.
7. Is a Compliance Officer Required by Law?
It depends on the sector. Every reporting entity under AML/CTF law administered by AUSTRAC must appoint an AML/CTF compliance officer. Since 1 July 2026 that includes many lawyers, accountants and real estate agents. Elsewhere, many businesses appoint one as good practice.
8. What Skills Make a Good Compliance Officer?
Knowledge of the relevant regulations, strong record keeping and attention to detail, clear communication, investigation skills, and the credibility to raise issues with leadership and the board.
9. What Is the Difference Between Compliance and Governance?
Governance is the overall system of direction and control in an organisation. Compliance is the part that makes sure the organisation follows the rules that apply to it. A compliance officer works within the wider governance framework.
10. How Much Does a Compliance Officer Earn in Australia?
Pay varies widely by sector, seniority and organisation size, so a single figure is misleading. Current job listings are the most reliable guide to the range at any point in time.
Give Your Compliance Officer One Place to Run the Program
Give your compliance officer one place to run policies, training, incidents and records. Sentrient’s compliance management system keeps the evidence together, ready when a regulator or auditor asks.
Sources
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), AFS licensee obligations
- ASIC, Record $830 million in civil penalty orders in 2025-26 (media release 26-162MR)
- AUSTRAC, AML/CTF compliance officer
- AUSTRAC, Anti-money laundering and counter terrorism laws cover thousands more businesses
Last reviewed: November 2026
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or career advice. Compliance obligations and role requirements vary by industry and change over time. Check the relevant regulator or a qualified adviser for your situation.
