Do you know that under Australia’s Migration Act 1958, only Registered Migration Agents or exempt persons (such as Australian lawyers) are legally permitted to provide immigration assistance for Australia?
Unfortunately, many people planning their Australian visa or Permanent Residency (PR) journey are unaware of this crucial legal requirement. As a result, they often rely on advice from unregistered advisers, without realising the serious risks involved.
Choosing the right professional to guide your Australian migration process is not just important it can be the difference between approval and refusal.
Who Is a Registered Migration Agent?
A Registered Migration Agent (RMA) is a qualified professional who is legally authorised to provide immigration advice and assistance for Australia.
Registered Migration Agents are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)— the official body appointed by the Australian Government to oversee migration agents.
To maintain registration, an agent must:
- Meet strict qualification and eligibility requirements
- Adhere to a professional Code of Conduct
- Undertake ongoing professional development
- Remain up to date with frequent changes to Australian migration law
Simply put, Registered Migration Agents are the only non-lawyers legally allowed to provide Australian immigration assistance.
You can learn more about OMARA here: https://www.mara.gov.au
What Does a Registered Migration Agent Do?
A Registered Migration Agent supports you through the entire visa journey, including:
- Assessing your eligibility for Australian visa pathways
- Advising on the most suitable visa for your profile
- Explaining visa criteria, conditions, and legal requirements
- Preparing and lodging visa applications accurately
- Guiding you on documentation and timelines
- Communicating directly with the Department of Home Affairs
Australian immigration law is complex and changes frequently. Working with a recognised and registered expert helps ensure your application is compliant, accurate, and professionally presented.
Who Is an Unregistered Adviser?
An unregistered adviser is a person or agency offering immigration advice without being registered with OMARA. In Australia, this is illegal.
Such advisers often operate through:
- Overseas agencies
- Social media platforms
- Informal networks or referrals
They may appear confident or promise quick results, but they do not have legal authority to advise or act on Australian immigration matters. Many applicants realise this only after facing refusal or complications.
What Can Go Wrong with an Unregistered Adviser?
Relying on an unregistered adviser can lead to serious consequences, including:
- Incorrect visa selection
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation
- Visa refusals due to misinformation
- Missed deadlines
- Financial loss with no legal recourse
In some cases, incorrect advice can negatively affect future visa applications, making recovery costly and time-consuming.
Why Registered Migration Agents Matter
Registered Migration Agents operate under Australian law and are bound by a strict professional and ethical framework. This means:
- You are legally protected
- Advice is based on current migration law and policy
- Applications are handled responsibly and transparently
- The agent is accountable for the advice provided
Experienced agents also have a deep understanding of how different visa pathways work in practice, helping applicants avoid unnecessary delays, refusals, and stress.
How to Check Your Agent’s Registration
Before trusting anyone with your Australian visa, always verify their registration.
You can do this by:
- Visiting the official OMARA register https://www.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/
- Searching by the agent’s name or registration number
- Confirming the registration is active
A genuine Registered Migration Agent will openly share their registration number. Avoid anyone who hesitates or avoids this question.
How to Choose the Right Registered Migration Agent
While verifying that a migration agent is registered with Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority(OMARA) is essential, registration alone should not be the only deciding factor. Just as in law or medicine, experience and depth of practice matter significantly in Australian immigration.
Why Years of Practice and Expertise Matter
Australian migration law is one of the most complex and frequently changing legal frameworks. Agents with long-standing practice experience have:
- Lived through multiple legislative reforms and policy shifts
- Handled complex refusal, appeal, and compliance matters
- Developed practical insight beyond textbook knowledge
- Gained strategic understanding of how decision-making operates in practice
An experienced agent is far more likely to identify risks early, structure applications strategically, and guide applicants through nuanced legal requirements.
Understanding the OMARA Registration Number: A Practical Indicator of Experience
One often overlooked yet valuable way to assess an agent’s experience is by reviewing their OMARA registration number.
How the Registration Number Helps
OMARA registration numbers are generally issued sequentially. While not an official ranking system, lower or earlier registration numbers typically indicate earlier entry into the profession, and therefore, longer years of practice.
For example:
- Agents with earlier or lower registration numbers often commenced practice many years ago
- Agents with higher or newer numbers may be relatively recent entrants to the profession
This provides applicants with a practical reference point to assess the likely depth of an agent’s professional exposure.
Importantly, this should be considered alongside, not instead of, other factors such as:
- Area of expertise
- Track record with similar visa categories
- Professional transparency and ethics
Final Thoughts
When it comes to Australian immigration, who you take advice from truly matters.
Working with a Registered Migration Agent provides legal protection, professional accountability, and peace of mind throughout your migration journey. The right guidance can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress and move you closer to your goal of living in Australia.
If you are seeking professional assistance, you may connect with AIVES Australia, a trusted Australian immigration law practice with 20 years of practise excellence and a strong presence in India and Australia, delivering Australia-focused immigration services for over two decades.
About the Author
Mr Rasheed Backer is one of Australia’s most respected Senior Immigration Law Experts, based in Melbourne, Australia. He is the Principal of AIVES Australia and a Registered Migration Agent with over 20 years of practice excellence in Australian immigration law.