Consumer guide – registered migration agents

Consumer guide – registered migration agents
It is unlawful for anyone to give immigration assistance in Australia if they are not a registered migration agent, Australian
legal practitioner or exempt person. Any person who gives unlawful immigration assistance in Australia should be reported
using the Border Watch Online Report on the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) website. It is important to know
that any person who helps with your immigration matter cannot guarantee you a visa.
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Registered Migration Agents
Registered migration agents must meet professional
standards, follow a Code of Conduct and maintain up-todate knowledge of migration law and procedure.
All registered migration agents have a unique Migration
Agents Registration Number (MARN). You can check if a
person is registered on the OMARA website
www.mara.gov.au
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration
Authority (OMARA) is part of the Department and is the
regulatory body for registered migration agents in
Australia. The OMARA:
 assesses and decides applications for registration as a
migration agent in Australia
 monitors the conduct of registered migration agents,
investigates complaints, and takes disciplinary action if
necessary.
The OMARA cannot help you with a visa or sponsorship
application or order a registered migration agent to refund
fees to you.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct for registered migration agents
requires registered migration agents to:
● be honest about your chances of getting a visa
● provide correct advice and keep you informed of the
progress of your application and any changes that may
affect it
● act within the law, your interests and protect your
privacy
● tell you if they have an interest that conflicts with your
interests and take appropriate action
● give you a written statement before starting work on
the services to be provided, estimated fees and other
costs
● keep funds in a separate bank account if you pay in
advance
● give you an invoice listing the actual services
completed and the amount payable
● keep proper records on the processing of your
application.
The full Code of Conduct is available on the OMARA
website.
Concerns about registered migration agents
If you have a problem with your registered migration agent,
try to resolve it with them first. If you cannot resolve the
matter with your agent, you can contact the OMARA if you
need help. You can lodge a complaint about your
registered migration agent by completing the complaint
form on the OMARA website.
Making a complaint will not affect your current visa
application, or change the outcome of a previous visa
refusal or cancellation decision.
Australian Legal Practitioners and Exempt
Persons
Certain people, such as Australian legal practitioners and
exempt persons, do not have to be registered as a
migration agent to provide immigration assistance in
Australia.
Australian legal practitioners must act in accordance with
the professional conduct rules of their relevant legal
authority. If you would like to lodge a complaint about a
legal practitioner read the ‘Consumer guide – legal
practitioners’, available on the Department’s website.
Exempt persons include close family members and
sponsors. A full list of exempt persons can be found on
Form 956 – Appointment of a registered migration agent,
legal practitioner or exempt person. Exempt persons
cannot charge a fee for providing immigration assistance.
Ending an appointment
If you want to end an appointment complete Form 956.
Translating and Interpreting Service
Speak to an interpreter through the Translating and
Interpreting Service (TIS National)
www.tisnational.gov.au ☎ 131 450