Why use an Australian Registered Migration Agent?
Many people find the idea of preparing a Visa Application to be quite difficult. If you are one of those people, you probably should consider working with a migration agent who can help handle your Australian Immigration Applications, forms and all the associated evidence for you. Even if you are very confident with preparing an application, and you may even be very administrative, it still can be a good idea to work with a migration agent.
The team at Summit Migration has brought together a list of some of the advantages a migration agent can provide you:
- It is hassle free. When you have a trained professional handling all the difficulties and the answers of your visa application, you can have peace of mind. Doing the application by yourself often means that you are under substantial pressure. You have to do all research and discover for yourself what is required for the application. Working with an agent means you can just relax and let your agent handle all your correspondence with the department.
- Get it right the first time. Some of the Australian Immigration Visa Applications can be the most expensive in the world! In particular the partner visa, this application now cost over $7,160 AUD for it’s Visa Application charge alone. With this in mind, is it really worth trying to do the whole application yourself and then get something wrong? The Department of Immigration can find bad data or missing pieces of evidence. Sometimes even the smallest of mistakes can cost you your entire application. Migration agents like the ones at Summit Migration have extensive experience preparing an application and can check your application for consistency.
- Practical Experience. No matter how hard your immigration case is, it is quite likely, that your registered migration agent has worked a similar matter in the past. This means that they know precisely what is required, what checklist to follow to get a positive result. This is something you may struggle to do on your own.
Should I use an Immigration Lawyer or a Migration Agent?
Registered Migration agents generally need to complete a 12 month diploma in Australian Migration Law with a tertiary institution and then pass a capstone test. They are then given a MARN (Migration Agent Regulation Number) and can practice Migration Law.
Many lawyers are also migration agents. If a lawyer wants to become a migration agent and practise immigration law, they must also register with MARA. This is dual registration. Furthermore, immigration lawyers usually retain dual registration to provide immigration advice and assistance. However, unlike migration agents without legal qualifications, immigration lawyers can also appeal cases in courts such as the Federal Court or High Court.
| Registered Migration Agents | Immigration Lawyers | |
| Qualification Requirement | Completed a 12 month diploma in Australian Migration Law | Completed a law degree and obtained a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice |
| Registration | Registered with MARA | Registered with the Legal Admissions Board, the Law Society and MARA |
| Administrative Appeals Tribunal | Can assist with visa applications and merits review in Administrative Appeals Tribunal | Can assist with visa applications and merits review in Administrative Appeals Tribunal |
| Other courts | Cannot assist with appealsto Australian courts | Can assist with appeals to the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCCA), the Federal Court of Australia (FCA) and the High Court of Australia |
You should always check the level of experience and qualification held by your Migration Agent. All the Migration Agents at Summit Migration are registered Lawyers.
What Can I Do If I Have a Dispute with my Registered Migration Agent?
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) is an office of the Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au) (the Department) that regulates Migration Agents in Australia. You can visit their website here.
Australian Registered Migration Agent’s are subject to the Migration Agent’s Code of Conduct
An Australian Registered Migration Agent Professional standards and obligations of
- Managing client relationships
- Code of conduct & practice guides
- Occupational competency standards
- Ethical framework
Resolving disputes with your Australian Registered migration agent
- How can the office of the MARA can help
- Fee disputes
- Make a complaint about an Australian Migration agent
- Australian Migration Agent fees
Registration requirements to become an Australian Registered Migration Agent
- Knowledge Requirements
- English language
- Professional indemnity insurance
- National Police Check
- Professional Library
- Other Requirements
- Registration Costs
- Photographs
- Setting up a business
Registration process to become an Australian Registered Migration Agent
- Apply for registration as a migration agent
- If your application is approved
- If your application is refused
- If you are registered with the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority
In conclusion:
While it helps having a Migration Agent, nobody can guarantee a successful application. That decision rests alone with the Department of Immigration. However, here at Summit Migration, we can guarantee that we will do the best to improve the prospects of your application.
Now that you know the importance of a Migration Agent with your Visa Application, why don’t you give us a call and see how agents at Summit Migration can help you today.
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