|
Migrating to Australia, even if only for a fixed period of time, is a major life decision. You will reap many rewards however you will also face a number of challenges. You therefore want to ensure that the process of getting here goes as smoothly as possible. |
|
| A registered migration agent: |
|
has an in-depth understanding of Australian immigration law and can provide you with expert and accurate advice. |
|
can give you the best chance of success, helping prevent you from wasting considerable time and money. |
|
will utilise their expertise to fill in those daunting forms, prepare additional supporting information and persuasively argue your case for you. |
|
will reduce your stress levels by doing the job for you. |
|
| Why shouldn't I just apply myself? |
Immigration to Australia is tightly prescribed by a whole raft of complex and confusing legislation which is amended frequently. It is amongst the strictest immigration law in the world. Set criteria must be satisfied for you to be eligible for a visa. If you get just one thing wrong it can result in your application being refused and the application fees charged by the Department of Immigration are generally NOT refundable. |
Other significant costs can be involved in the process of applying for a visa. You may need to pay for medical examinations, police checks, English language testing, skills assessment and perhaps more. It is vital to ensure that you are not spending this money in vain. |
If you are applying within Australia the consequences of getting things wrong can be severe – once you have had an application refused or a visa cancelled, and you no longer hold a substantive visa, you may only apply for an extremely limited range of visas which you will most likely not be eligible for. Your only alternative then is to leave Australia and re-apply offshore. Restrictions may also be imposed on future applications for people who have had visas cancelled. |
A registered migration agent can negotiate this minefield for you and give you the best chance of success. We are specifically trained in the intricacies of Australian immigration law and practice. We understand what is involved in the process of applying for a visa and can help prevent you making some of the common mistakes which can lead to applications being refused or visas being subsequently cancelled. |
| Don't migration agents just fill in forms? |
No – a successful visa application will not just entail the completion of a form. Virtually all visas also require detailed supporting statements expanding on the information provided within the application form. You are far more likely to be successful if you have someone who understands immigration law prepare such statements for you, as well as preface your application with a detailed submission outlining the reasons why you fulfill the particular visa criteria and thus why your application should suceed. |
Furthermore, filling in the forms can be very difficult and stressful. Department of Immigration forms are very complicated and highly prescriptive. Migration agents fill in these forms regularly and understand the legislative basis behind the forms, and thus know what the Department is really looking for. |
| Is it worth the cost? |
A registered migration agent will manage the process of putting your application together more efficiently, and thus can reach the point of being able to submit your application more rapidly than you can do yourself. |
Migration agents will do most of the work for you, thus reducing your stress levels and leaving you free to focus on the other important areas of your life. |
Applying for an Australian visa can be a costly process – application fees can be in the thousands and you may also need to pay for medical examinations, police checks, English language testing, skills assessment and so on. If you are unsuccessful you are highly unlikely to get any of this money back. It is therefore worth investing in the expertise of a registered migration agent to ensure that you are not spending this money in vain. |
| Is the migration agent profession regulated? |
It is illegal for non registered agents to provide immigration assistance within Australia. To become a registered migration agent you must either complete a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice, or hold a legal practising certificate. You must then apply for registration through the Office of the Migration Agents Regulation Authority; this entails satisfying stringent character and security requirements. |
The conduct of registered migration agents is covered by a Code of Conduct, which has the force of law. It places legal obligations on agents to provide you with a good level of service. The Code of Conduct can be viewed at: |
|
| Summary information about the regulation of the Migration Advice Profession is provided at: |
|
