Moving to Australia — Relocation Made Simple
Last updated: 12 August 2026
MARA Registered

Expert Immigration Services

Connect with registered migration agents who can guide you through the Australian visa application process with confidence.

Navigating Australian Immigration with Confidence

Australia's immigration system is one of the most structured in the world, with more than 70 distinct visa subclasses each carrying its own eligibility criteria, points thresholds, document requirements and processing times. For many applicants the biggest risk is not being ineligible — it is choosing the wrong pathway, missing a deadline, or submitting an application that is incomplete.

A registered migration agent removes that uncertainty. Rather than guessing which visa fits your circumstances, you work with a professional who assesses your full profile, recommends the strongest pathway, and manages the paperwork and departmental communication from start to finish. The result is a decision-ready application and a clear understanding of what to expect at every stage.

Whether you are a skilled worker eyeing the points-tested 189 visa, a professional with an Australian job offer, or someone reuniting with family, the sections below explain how the process works, the main pathways available, and the questions we hear most often.

How to check the person advising you

Immigration assistance is a regulated activity in Australia, and the standard advice is to look your adviser up on the MARA register. That is the right check for a migration agent and the wrong one for a lawyer. Since 22 March 2021, when the Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Act 2020 commenced, an Australian legal practitioner holding an unrestricted practising certificate is no longer eligible to register with the OMARA and has been removed from the register — so an immigration solicitor who is entirely entitled to act for you will not appear on it.

The two registers that make immigration advice lawful in AustraliaImmigration assistance in Australia may lawfully be given by a registered migration agent, who appears on the OMARA register with a seven-digit MARN and answers to OMARA, or by an Australian legal practitioner, who appears on their state law society or bar roll and answers to the state legal services commissioner. Since 22 March 2021 a lawyer holding an unrestricted practising certificate is no longer eligible to register with OMARA, so searching the MARA register will not find them. Anyone on neither register who gives immigration assistance for a fee commits an offence under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958, and leaves you with no complaints body.“Not on the MARA register” is not “not allowed”Since 22 March 2021, immigration lawyers cannot be on itAdviserWhere to checkIf it goes wrongRegisteredmigration agentOMARA registerseven-digit MARNComplain toOMARAAustralian legalpractitionerLaw society or bar rollunrestricted certificateLegal servicescommissionerAnyone else,for a feeOn no register —s 280 Migration ActNo complaintsbodyCheck the register that applies to the adviser in front of you.
An empty search result means one of two very different things, so run the check that matches the adviser. An agent should give you a seven-digit MARN that resolves on the OMARA register, with the name and business name matching the person you are dealing with; a lawyer should be on their state law society or bar association roll. Someone on neither register who charges you for immigration assistance is committing an offence under section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 — and, more immediately for you, there is no body you can complain to when it goes wrong.

The distinction matters most at the point where things have already gone wrong. Review of a visa refusal at the Administrative Review Tribunal is legal work as much as migration work, and the people who do it are often solicitors rather than registered agents.

What Our Migration Agents Do

End-to-end support across every part of the immigration journey.

Visa Application Assistance
Complete support from eligibility assessment to lodgement
Skills Assessment
Guidance through the skills assessment process
Ongoing Case Management
Regular updates and communication throughout your application
Appeals & Reviews
Representation for visa refusals and Administrative Review Tribunal reviews

Why Choose Our Migration Agents?

Our network of registered migration agents have years of experience helping individuals and families successfully migrate to Australia.

  • MARA registered migration agents
  • All visa types covered
  • Initial consultation included
  • Success rate tracking
  • Transparent pricing
  • No hidden fees
Need Visa Advice?
Schedule a consultation with a registered migration agent to discuss your eligibility and options.

What We'll Cover:

  • Visa eligibility assessment
  • Pathway recommendations
  • Points calculation review
  • Document requirements
  • Processing times & costs
Book Free Consultation

No obligation. 30-minute initial call.

How the Immigration Process Works

Five clear stages from your first conversation to your visa grant.

  1. 1

    Initial Eligibility Assessment

    Your agent reviews your age, occupation, qualifications, work experience and English ability against the requirements of each visa subclass. You leave the first call knowing exactly which pathways are realistically open to you.

  2. 2

    Strategy & Documentation

    Once a pathway is chosen, your agent maps out every document you need — skills assessments, English tests, police checks, medicals and reference letters — and the order to obtain them so nothing expires before lodgement.

  3. 3

    Skills Assessment & EOI

    For points-tested visas, your agent manages your skills assessment with the relevant authority and lodges your Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, optimising your claimable points to maximise your chance of an invitation.

  4. 4

    Application Lodgement

    After you receive an invitation (or for sponsored visas, once your nomination is approved), your agent prepares and lodges a decision-ready application with all supporting evidence to reduce the risk of delays or requests for further information.

  5. 5

    Decision & Settlement

    Your agent tracks your case, responds to any departmental queries on your behalf, and guides you through visa grant conditions, first-entry dates and the practical next steps for arriving in Australia.

Which Visa Pathway Is Right for You?

The four broad categories most applicants fall into. Your agent will pinpoint the exact subclass.

The four broad visa pathways, the subclasses each covers, and who each one suits. Your agent will pinpoint the exact subclass.
PathwaySubclassesSuits you if
Skilled Migration189, 190, 491An occupation on the relevant skilled list and a points score of 65+
Employer Sponsored482, 186, 494An Australian employer willing to nominate you for a role they cannot fill locally
Family & Partner820/801, 309/100A genuine relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Business & Investment188, 888Establishing or managing a business, or making a designated investment
Skilled Migration
Points-tested visas such as the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491). Best suited to applicants with an occupation on the relevant skilled lists who can score 65+ points.
Employer Sponsored
The Temporary Skill Shortage (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186) and regional sponsored visas. Ideal when an Australian employer is willing to nominate you for a role they cannot readily fill locally.
Family & Partner
Partner (820/801 and 309/100), Parent and Child visas that reunite families. These applications hinge on evidencing a genuine relationship and meeting sponsorship and health requirements.
Business & Investment
The Business Innovation and Investment program for entrepreneurs and investors who want to establish or manage a business, or make a designated investment, in Australia.

Immigration Services FAQs

What is a MARA registered migration agent?

A MARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority) registered agent is a professional legally authorised to provide Australian immigration assistance. Registration requires formal qualifications, adherence to a strict Code of Conduct, and ongoing professional development. Using a registered agent means your advice comes from someone accountable to a regulatory body.

Do I actually need a migration agent to apply for an Australian visa?

No — you can lodge most visa applications yourself directly with the Department of Home Affairs. However, an agent adds value when your case is complex, when points or eligibility are borderline, when you have a previous visa refusal, or simply when you want to reduce the risk of costly mistakes and avoid managing the process yourself.

How much do immigration services cost?

Professional fees vary by visa type and complexity, typically ranging from a few hundred dollars for a single consultation to several thousand for full end-to-end management of a skilled or partner application. These professional fees are separate from the Department of Home Affairs visa application charges. Reputable agents provide a written fee agreement before any work begins.

How long does the visa process take?

Processing times depend heavily on the visa subclass and your individual circumstances. Skilled visas can take several months from invitation to grant, while partner visas often take considerably longer. Your agent will give you realistic, up-to-date estimates based on current Department processing times for your specific visa.

Can a migration agent help after a visa refusal?

Yes. Registered agents can assess the reasons for a refusal, advise whether the decision is reviewable, and represent you at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) or help you lodge a stronger fresh application where appropriate. The ART replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal on 14 October 2024, and the time limits are short — generally 28 days from notification, and 14 days for people in immigration detention — so a refusal is not something to sit on.