Applying for a visa in Australia is not an easy process. Australia operates a points system and you will be assessed on the skills that you have, your qualifications and/or your occupation, your health and possibly other factors too. You need to ensure that any application is worded correctly and nothing is missed out, to ensure you get the maximum points available. You can of course, choose to do all of this yourself, but any mistakes, no matter how small, could result in delays or the lodgment of an invalid application – and don’t forget that the government does not refund application fees, except in very limited circumstances.
A registered migration agent is there to help you through the process. They can tell you which visa/s you are eligible to apply for, out of Australia’s 140 + visa options; and will be open and honest with you about your chances of gaining entry into Australia.
What should I look for in a Migration Agent?
Your migration agent should be qualified and registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. The MARA has a code of conduct that their registered members must follow, this includes maintaining a professional library and attending regular professional courses to keep informed as to all the recent changes in the laws and policies governing visas and visa applications. MARA registered agents are also required to hold client monies paid in advance in a separate Clients’ Account and be of good character.
Click on the link to view the list of registered migration agents.
You can also view MARA’s Code of Conduct:
Are they expensive?
The fees that a migration agent can charge are discretionary, however under the MARA’s code of conduct, any fee charged has to be reasonable in the circumstances. The migration agent should let you know what the fee will be in writing, before you proceed with their services. It may be worth comparing a couple of quotes just to ensure that you are not being asked to pay too much.
Click on the link to view the list of typical migration agency fees, although please do note that these fees are only typical and you may be charged more, depending on your registered migration agent’s individual fee structure.
What will they do?
Some migration agencies have a free online skills assessment form for you to fill in that will give you a brief indication of your eligibility. However most will want to obtain detailed information about your circumstances. This can be done face to face, over the telephone or via email. They will then be able to tell you how successful they think your application will be, or which Australian visa you should be applying for. They’ll also have an in-depth knowledge of Australian’s migration laws and any recent changes to it, which they will use to support your application to its best advantage.
They will ensure that the correct supporting documentation is sent and that your application is valid and accurate. You’ll also receive updates on the progress of your application and your migration agent will liaise with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on your behalf during the assessment process. Your migration expert will also answer any questions that you have and will advise you, should you be required to attend an interview.
So what questions should I be asking?
Once you have checked that your migration agent is registered with MARA, you then need to ask them:
- What are their areas of expertise.
- What experience they have with the type of application you are considering.
- What their assessment is of your chances of success as an individual.
- What are all your options.
- What will be expected from you.
- Whether they are charging a fixed fee, an hourly rate, or a combination of both.
- Ask to see the fees and all the terms and conditions in writing. Clarify too, whether you will be charged for incidentals, such as telephone calls, faxes, responses to emails, postage and couriers etc.
- On the note of fees and charges, you should be aware that the DIAC’s visa application charges, the cost of medicals, police clearance certificates, translations of documents etc., are generally charged separately, in addition to your migration advisor’s professional fees.
What if my application is not successful?
Most professional migration agents will not take on a case they think has no chance of success. However if your visa application is refused through no fault of the migration agent, then unfortunately you cannot claim a refund as the agent will have spent a substantial amount of time interviewing you, preparing your application, ensuring all the paperwork is correct and liaising with the relevant authorities on your behalf. You can only receive a refund if you can prove that your application failed because of negligence of the agent.
However, if after reading all of that you decide that you’d rather go it alone and save the agent fees, then you can benefit from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s little visa wizard tool that allows you to search for the right visa for you. So long as you don’t mind the paperwork and endless checking and rechecking of details, then it is possible to do it yourself. Here at Embrace Australia we have a general visa guide and should you have any questions, you can benefit from advice offered in our community section from one of our experts or members who have been there before. Whatever you decide, best of luck!
Our thanks to go Susan Wareham McGrath, a registered migration agent, for all her help on this article. Susan is also able to answer any general questions in our community section. If you wish to contact Susan about the services she provides, you can do so by visiting her website at www.susanwareham.com.
Other related articles:
- Queensland Now Suspends General Skilled Migration Visas - Queensland, Australia has copied the DIAC and announced a suspension...
- Australian Visa Processing Changes – Your Questions Answered - We ask two leading migration agents for their thoughts on...
- DIAC Slide in Changes to Australian Skilled Migration Visas - Those immigrating to Australia will be affected by changes announced...
- DIAC Announce Australian Visa Application Fee Rises - Australian visa application fees are set to rise in July....
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