Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) helps to uphold the position of Australia's migration agents as among the most professional in the world. MARA does this by ensuring that they have high level knowledge of Australian migration law and procedures, as well as meeting high professional and ethical standards.

The Migration Institute of Australia Limited, the peak body for the migration advice profession, was appointed to act as MARA on 23 March 1998.

Role of the MARA

MARA's powers are set out in the Migration Act 1958. The principal functions of the MARA are:

• processing applications for initial and repeat registration as migration agents
• managing Continuing Professional Development activities, which registered agents are required to successfully complete annually
• monitoring the conduct of registered migration agents
• investigating complaints about, and taking appropriate disciplinary action against registered migration agents who breach the Migration Agents Code of Conduct or otherwise behave in an unprofessional or unethical way.

Migration agents

A registered migration agent (RMA) can make the process of migration easier and more effective for you.
If you use a RMA you will have a professional to guide you through the visa application process, handle all the paperwork and present your case in the strongest possible way.
In Australia, a person may only give immigration assistance if he or she is a migration agent registered with MARA or is exempt from being registered. You can find a RMA, or check on the registration of you agent on the MARA website.
See: Migration Agents Registration Authority
Exemptions to the registration requirement apply to some groups of people including close family members, sponsors and nominators who can provide immigration assistance as long as they don't receive a fee or reward.
If an unregistered person in Australia, who is not exempt from registration, gives immigration assistance they are committing a criminal offence and may be prosecuted.

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct (which is contained in the Migration Agents Regulations 1998) is legally binding on all registered migration agents. Under the Code of Conduct agents will:

• be honest with you about your chances of securing the visa for which you are applying
• keep you informed about the progress of your application and any changes that may affect it
• act within the law, your best interests, and your instructions and protect your confidentiality
• provide you with a written statement, before starting work, of the services to be provided, the fee and other costs and a similar statement at the end with services actually performed and fees charged
• charge a reasonable fee and if you pay in advance, keep this in a separate bank account (information about the range of fees charged by RMAs is available on the MARA website)
• provide timely and correct advice and tell you in writing about the result of your application as soon as possible.