MARA: the legal regulator
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) sits within the Department of Home Affairs. Its job is to regulate everyone who provides immigration assistance for a fee in Australia. The regulatory framework is set out in Part 3 of the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Agents Regulations 1998.
To become MARA-registered, an applicant must:
- Complete the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice (or equivalent)
- Pass the Capstone Assessment and Knowledge Test
- Hold current professional indemnity insurance
- Be a fit and proper person (character assessment)
- Submit annual registration renewal with CPD evidence
Once registered, agents receive a MARN (Migration Agents Registration Number). The MARN must appear on all professional communications, business cards, websites, and fee agreements. Department of Home Affairs uses the MARN to identify your authorised representative.
MIA: the voluntary professional body
The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) is the industry's main professional association. Membership is voluntary. MIA was established in 1992 and has around 3,000 members. It is not the same as MARA.
MIA membership tiers include:
- Practising Member. Open to MARA-registered agents and lawyers practising in migration. Requires CPD compliance and adherence to MIA Code of Ethics.
- Fellow. Senior practitioners with 10+ years experience and significant contribution to the profession.
- Associate. Non-practising members, students, or international migration professionals.
MIA provides member benefits like continuing professional development, networking events, professional indemnity insurance group rates, and advocacy on industry policy matters.
The practical difference for you as a client
| Aspect | MARA registration | MIA membership |
|---|---|---|
| Legally required? | Yes (or be a lawyer) | No |
| Public register | Yes (mara.gov.au) | Yes (mia.org.au) |
| Disciplinary body | MARA can suspend/cancel registration | MIA can revoke membership |
| Code of conduct | MARA Code of Conduct (statutory) | MIA Code of Ethics (industry) |
| CPD requirement | Yes (10 hours/year minimum) | Yes (typically higher than MARA minimum) |
| Complaint pathway | MARA complaints process | MIA Ethics Committee + MARA |
How to verify a migration agent's credentials
- Get the MARN. Ask the agent directly or check their business card / website. Format is 7 digits (e.g., MARN 1234567).
- Search the MARA register. Visit mara.gov.au and use the public search by name or MARN. Verify the registration is current and active.
- Check disciplinary history. The register shows any past or pending disciplinary action. Conditions on registration (restricted practice areas, supervision requirements) should be noted.
- Confirm the practice details match. Business name, address, contact details on the MARA register should match what the agent has told you.
- Cross-check MIA membership (optional). Visit mia.org.au if MIA membership is claimed. Verifies the additional credential.
- Get the written Statement of Services. Required by MARA Code of Conduct. Includes MARN, fee agreement, scope of work, complaint process.
Warning signs of unregistered "agents"
- Cannot or will not provide MARN. Walk away immediately.
- Refuses to put fee agreement in writing. MARA Code requires written engagement.
- Operates from overseas. Unregistered overseas-based "consultants" are a major problem. Australian visa work requires MARA registration regardless of where the agent is located.
- Claims to "guarantee" visa outcomes. Breaches MARA Code. Often a sign of unregistered operation.
- Operates under community or church organisation cover. Volunteer immigration help is regulated differently and limited in scope. Be careful about distinguishing between informal help and unregistered paid advice.
- Charges substantially below market. Sometimes a sign of unregistered operator without overhead of insurance, CPD, or compliance.
If you suspect you have engaged an unregistered agent
If you have paid someone for migration assistance who is not MARA-registered:
- Stop further payments.
- Report to MARA. Use the complaints process at mara.gov.au. Unregistered practice is a Commonwealth offence.
- Engage a properly registered agent or lawyer. Have them review what the unregistered agent has lodged, if anything.
- Consider notifying Department of Home Affairs. If a visa application has been lodged on incorrect or fraudulent basis, this may need disclosure.
- Seek refund. Unregistered agents have no professional liability protection. Recovery may require civil action.