Migration advice practitioners in Australia are required to be either solicitors or have passed examinations in Immigration Law. They must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents’ Registration Authority (MARA) and are subject to a strict Code of Conduct.
It is important for consumers to know that the first two digits of the registration numbers accorded to agents in Australia reflect the year in which he/she was first registered.
In addition to meeting basic entry requirements, practitioners must constantly update their knowledge through attendance at a prescribed number of courses each year. Completion of these courses is a mandatory part of annual re-registration.
Practitioners must also hold Professional Indemnity Insurance.
These requirements relate only to Agents practising within Australia. Because of legal jurisdictional limitations, persons providing Immigration assistance who are located outside Australia are unregulated with no education or continuing education obligations.
It is therefore very important when considering engaging the services of a Migration Agent that you are satisfied as to their level of competence. Some issues to consider are their years of experience, areas of specialisation, whether you can develop a rapport with the Agent, whether multiple language skills are offered (if required) and their charges.
Whilst the MARA Code of Conduct provides a comprehensive outline of the responsibilities and obligations that a Registered Migration Agent must follow, some broader practical issues are set out below.
Listen to what a client wants to achieve
Advise if the objective is achievable now or in the future
Navigate the client through the relevant visa categories
Advise the advantages & disadvantages of potential visa options
Ensure the client understands any conditions which attach to particular visas
Prevent the choice of an incorrect visa category
Offer options which may not have been previously known
Raise awareness of ancillary issues to be considered which may impact on potential visa options.
Streamline the visa application process
Be the communication link between the client and the Immigration authorities