Why Use a Registered Migration Agent?
Julie is a registered migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority number. (MARN: 0741622.) There are many reasons why a person wanting to obtain an Australian visa would use a registered migration agent.
As an Applicant for an Australian Visa your best protection is to use a Registered Migration Agent as they are legally required to act in the best interests of their clients. Using a Registered Migration Agent maximises your chances of a successful outcome, as you are dealing with a professional with proven knowledge of Australian migration law and practice. You can also save a great deal of time; as a Registered Migration Agent will take responsibility for seeing that your visa application is prepared accurately and the correct documentation is submitted.
In Australia, migration agents must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Office of the MARA) in order to provide immigration assistance. It is illegal in Australia to give advice about migration to Australia without being registered with the Office of the MARA.
The Profession sets high standards for registration and agents must renew their registration every year. Registered Migration Agents need to be of good character, know migration law, must abide by the Code of Conduct and hold professional indemnity insurance.
- Good Character. To become registered, a person must obtain an Australian Federal Police National Police check. If they stop being a person of good character they lose their registration.
- Knowledge. To become registered a person must show a high level of knowledge of migration law and practice. Migration law is very complex, with the law and procedures frequently changing. To remain registered an agent must show every year that they have taken steps to keep their knowledge up to date. This includes having a professional library.
- The Code of Conduct sets out standards of professional conduct that an agent must abide. The Code of Conduct is not simply a code of ethics. It is the law. A complaint about a breach of the Code of Conduct could lead to a sanction against the agent. A sanction is recorded on our website and acts as a warning to consumers. https://www.mara.gov.au/default.aspx?ArticleID=630
- Every Registered Migration Agent must hold Professional Indemnity Insurance. This means that if your agent makes a negligent mistake their insurance company will pay you for your loss.
Using an unregistered person can be dangerous. They are already breaking the law by not being registered and their standards of knowledge and ethics are, at best, questionable. The below link provides more information and is worthwhile reading. https://www.mara.gov.au/Consumer-Information/How-to-Choose-a-Migration-Agent/How-to-Choose-a-Migration-Agent/default.aspx
Julie Teshome�s registration as a migration agent can be confirmed by going to www.mara.com.au or you can telephone the Authority on 1300 22 MARA and they will check their records for you.
