Choosing a MARA Registered Migration Agent
Migration agents.
You do not have to use a migration agent to get a visa for Australia, you can do it yourself. But we did use one. Why?
Although my wife’s skill was on the Skilled Occupations List, she did not have a recognised qualification for it so her skill had to be independently assessed before we could take our application further. I was over the maximum age limit, so with those two factors combined, we felt our application wasn’t straightforward.
Engaging a migration agent to help us gave us the comfort of knowing that our application, when it was finally sent off, was sound and did have a good chance of success. This is because any MARA registered migration agent has a duty to ensure that all applications they send to the Australian Government have a realistic chance of approval.
In fact, I believe that if any MARA registered agent continually submits poor applications, they will find themselves in danger of having their licence taken away from them.
Can you recommend a MARA registered migration agent?
The agent we used was based in offices in Docklands, London, but has since moved back to Sydney in Australia and no longer acts as a MARA registered migration agent. So I can’t recommend her to you. But I have been actively looking around for MARA agents who are keen to offer a great service to my readers, and I am pleased to say you can now get your own personal and professional visa assessment right here.
Visit my page called Visa Assessment Service for more details.
What is MARA?
“The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Office of the MARA) is a discrete office attached to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.” That’s a quote taken directly from the about me page from the official site, which you can visit here…
Visit mara.gov.au
And if you do, you will see that “In Australia, migration agents must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.”
So, if somebody is not MARA registered, they cannot charge you a fee to help you submit your application. But everyone listed on that government website is registered, and you will find all the information you need there to find an agent to help you.
How much will it cost?
MARA has a page on their website with a guide to fees…..
Visit mara.gov.au/price_guide
How much did my agent cost?
We were charged £1,213.25 including VAT by our MARA registered migration agent, but in addition to this we had to pay £675 including VAT for my wife’s skills assessment.
We came over on the “General Skilled Migration” visa, so according to the MARA websites guide to fees, that currently costs between $1,200 and $3,850 including GST.
At current exchange rates (May 2011) that means we paid about $1,950. That’s almost exactly in the middle of their price variation. Although the pound was much stronger in those days, one GBP was worth about 2.4 AUD. So we paid closer to $3,000.
But it is worth noting that the fee only applies to the main applicant and includes members of their immediate family. It’s not a fee per family member.
One final piece of advice.
Our migration agent did not charge us any consultation fees or advance fees whatsoever. We asked her to represent us and she wrote to us confirming her fees and included her Standard Terms of Business. It was only as the application was ready to be sent off that she invoiced us for her fees and also requested the fee payable to the Australian Government.
This is probably exceptional and maybe other MARA registered migration agents would charge an assessment or initial consultation fee. But if anyone requests a large initial payment before any work is done, maybe you should look elsewhere.
Sorry I am not able to recommend anyone as yet, but if that situation changes I will update this page. But I hope the above information has helped in some way.
More useful links:
In addition to the fees and charges made by your MARA registered migration agent, should you choose to use one, there will be a fee payable to the Australian Government for your visa.
These fees vary but the government has a page on their website with the details.
Visit immi.gov.au/visa-charges
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Bob,
My family and I decided we would use a migration agent when we first started the process. We did a little research and decided on a reputable company which regularly advertises in a certain magazine. Initially they were quite helpful and we had a direct debit set up with them and our 175 visa application was lodged, however when the CSL and SOL list were all changed my case became a little more complicated and was told it could be a 3 year wait for my 175 visa to be granted and to be patient. End of.
At no point after this did he give us any advise on other options i.e state sponsorship, RSMS, employer sponsorship etc.
So not being happy to wait 3 years i took it upon myself to do a lot of research into other options and took a trip out to Queensland and managed to secure myself a job from a company who were willing to sponsor me on an ENS.
On my return back to the UK i contacted my agent several times for advise on how we go about an employer sponsored visa as neither the company or I had any experience in the matter, but every time i spoke to my agent i was just met with negative advise time after time. I asked them to work out a fee to help me get the sponsored application lodged, which they did and it was a lot, when i asked could i set up a direct debit i was told “no, it has to be paid in one go”.
As we did not have the funds to pay it in one go my wife and I decided to do it ourselves. I contacted them and asked for some documents of ours to be sent back to us to use on the sponsored application to which i was told they no longer had them and they had been sent back to me 12 months previously (strange really as i had only sent them off to them 7 months previous!). Prior to this my wife had spoken to the agents assistant and was told yes we have them. This obvious lack of organisation and communication with his assistant aggitated my agent and i promptly received an email informing me that “they no longer wished to represent us”.
Fortunately we have managed to get our ENS application lodged and are now just awaiting the outcome.
My advise to anybody looking to take on the services of a migration agent would be to phone around as many as you can, ask about there method of being paid, fire questions at them about different types of visas and really test them to see if they know there stuff (just because they are registered and have glossy adverts it doesn’t mean they are any good and paying top end prices does not mean you will get good advise). just being HELPFUL and FRIENDLY is a good start!
One agent i WILL reccomend is a lady called Susan from “get going migration agents” who gave me some excellent advise and all for free! very helpful and friendly.
Ok rant over
Thanks Bob
Nice rant though Chris and sound advice for anyone looking for a migration agent. As with any trade, there is good ones and bad ones. You clearly got a bad one.
As I have mentioned above, I think the good ones do not need to take large fees upfront and anyone who asks for such, remember you do have a choice. As you say Chris, pick up the phone and phone around. There are plenty of MARA migration agents around.
Thanks for the advice and tips and I hope your visa comes through OK and we see you here in Australia soon.
Cheers
Bob
I want a MARA agent in Gujarat (INDIA)
I want to be happy for the rest of my life
I want to die but not by the knife
I want to sleep all afternoon
I want to rise at night with the moon
Department S
Hemingway?
No, definitely Department S. Click on the link for a bit of 80s nostalgia. Unless, of course, you’re saying Hemingway is a migration agent in Gujarat (INDIA)?
Hi Hemant,
Did you get a MARA certified agent for yourself? I am in Bangalore and want a MARA certified agent.
Any help???
Arvinder.
Yes, I used a MARA agent. I am in the process of setting up the exact help you need on this website. Leave it with me and I’ll get back to you when it’s done.
It’s done – Visa Assessment Service.
Hope it helps.
Hi Bob,
My wife and I are considering migrating to OZ, we both have family over there, and hopefully we have decent skill to enable us entery, however here is the sticky wicket my wife has a bad back, are the Aussie doctors that strict, I only ask because I can not seem to find any criteria for the medical,
I did do some research into this, and my bet is your wife will be okay. The sorts of medical problems that would put Australia off are anything that can become a major problem to Australia, like tuberculosis, and any condition that they think may cost a lot of money over a long period of time.
The indication that I found, and I have no source to back it up, was $20,000 within five years. I think that was just some kind of rule of thumb, so don’t quote it.
Good luck with your application.
Good Morning
I am just looking for any employer who is willing to employ my brother on permanent skilled migration options such as the regional sponsored migration scheme (RSMS) and employer nomination scheme (ENS.
He is 46 yrs of age and done his apprenticship in the railways in India as a Fitter/Sheetmetal Tradesman and is currently working in that trade for the last 10 to 15 yrs.
Please advise if there are any options for that trade.? If any info is required regarding CV and other Certificates I got copies of them and the same can be forwarded for Assessment.
You can also please E-Mail me at my work E-Mail address : christopher.myers@qr.com.au
Warm
Regards
Chris (0405320693)
Hi Bob!
I am from Romania
Me and my wife decided, some weeks ago, to try immigration in Australia, but we don’t know sure how starts this. After some websites visits I find a list of registered migration agents. In that list I find an agent (women) who is from my country and now live in Australia and work like migration agent, but somehow I forget about the that site (misteriously disappear from bookmark list) .
My asking is: you can help us to find in Australia an migration agent (romanian at origine)? Or at least help us to find a list with these agents and I pick out the agent who I need.
I think is most usefull to contact first an agent who speak my motherlanguage.
Thanks and I wait for your answer
Hi Adrian,
try this company they are a multilingual company and one of the agents ‘Madalina Phillips’ is Romanian so I am sure they will be able to help you.
kind regards
Chris
sorry Adrian, forgot to leave the link…
http://www.tssimmigration.com.au/about-us/expertise/
Thanks a lot Chris. Madalina is indeed that agent. I remember now. Hope your link is the fist step for a new life.
Best regards
Adrian
Looks like I got here too late
Good on ya Chris! And good luck Adrian.
Hi Bob
Not sure if you can help me but I found your website through looking for info about migration agents and I’m still undecided about one because I’m completing a Prospective Marriage Visa and it doesn’t feel hard but all the evidence/documents that is required aren’t very clear in what is needed.
My question is about getting certified copies of current and previous passports. Do you know if I need the entire passport i.e. pages with the stamps, certified as well as the personal information page or just the personal information page? Why I’m lost with this is that there is a section which ask for past 10 year history on countries travelled to so I’m wondering whether they need evidence for this hence needing previous passports.
Thanks for you help in advance
I don’t know the answer, but I’d be inclined to photocopy every page of your current and previous passports, there can’t be that many pages. Better to send too much information than not enough.
Thanks for that Bob
Hi,
You need a certified copy of your passport bio-page only.
With regards to what countries you travelled/lived in: It is “significant amount of time spent in a country”, i’s day if you lived/stayed in one place for longer than 3 months.
Best Regards
Miklos Rakos
Principal, Registered Migration Agent MARN 1173293
Thanks Miklos, that makes it easier.
Sorry another question I was hoping someone could help me with the personal statement requirements. The instructions say that you can either use ordinary writing paper or the statutory declaration form provided. Since using the statutory declaration form provided requires a witness from a specific background for the signing does that mean that if I was to use ordinary writing paper I would still require a witness also?
Thanks
V
Hi everyone
Thank you for posting such useful information, and of course thank you BOB for this wonderful idea, of sharing with others your experiences.
I am from Romania ( as Adrian) and with 10 years ago I tried to migrate to Australia.
Now ,I will try again hopping to be Ok this time.
all the best for you all
Thanks Cecilia, and I hope your new application goes well.
Bob,
This is a really great helpful site, thankyou! Me, wife and 2 kiddywinkles are in the UK and have lots of family in Melbourne. I serve in the royal Navy as an IT specialist and my wife is in Marketing. I dont believe that our jobs are on the SOL, but we could apply for state sponsorship. Would you bother with a MARA agent or would you advise us to try and apply directly?
Also do we need jobs out in oz before we emmigrate or can you just get out there and apply once your out there?
Paul.
Personally, I would use a MARA agent if I wasn’t sure which was the best route in. Under these circumstances, a MARA agent can guide you to go in the right direction. I would have given a different answer if, for example, you were a doctor with a recognised qualification specialising in an area that was in high demand.
I have someone who can help, check out my Visa Assessment Service.
It’s always nice to secure a job before you come out here, but the reality is it’s probably easier to get one once you are here with your permanent residency visa in your hand.
Have a look at Getting a Job or a Sponsorship.
Thanks
Bob
HI,
This is Viraj from India. I would like to apply for GSM. Request you to suggest me a good and reliable MARA agent in Melbourne as ny brother is statying there and would help me in co ordinating the same.
Thanks
Viraj
Hi Viraj
Sorry, I don’t know any MARA agents in Melbourne, my guy is based here in Brisbane. He does everything online and by telephone, if you’re interested in his services. Otherwise maybe your brother can track down someone in Melbourne?
thanks for the suggestion. Can you provide me the contact details of that Brisbane’s agent. will expore a bit.
thanks again… Viraj
Sure, I’ve sent you an e-mail.
hi bob,
Im really grateful i can ask someone about my case,please give me some advise.
my present address is muswellbrook new south wales,36 years old,Filipino citizen and holding a 457 visa. My employer is very much willing to help us,for i want to bring my partner and our 5 month old child here in australia. According to my employer they should have been included in my visa application before as a secondary applicant but we are unaware of that during my visa application.
my partner and child are based in the philippines. I really miss them a lot and we dont wanna waste time not being together when we even have the opportunity to not suffer.
please help us
we really dont know how to start, i am really grateful to my employer and he gave us the guarantee of helping us in every way to bring my family here., i just dont wanna abused his kindness of even asking him how or what steps must i undertake now.
Please help us.
Sounds a bit of a mess, ramon, one that I do not have the skills to sort out for you. You do need to talk to a MARA migration agent, I do have one here on this site.
Check out my Visa Assessment Service. If you decide to get assessed, it will cost you a small fee (credited to your account if you use our agent to represent you) and simply by filling in a six page form my agent will be able to tell you if and how you can get your family over here to Australia.
I hope everything works out well.
Hi Bob,
My husband and I are at the stage where we have paid for and been assessed by an Emigration Company. They seem very good and thorough and have said that we have enough points (65) for a state sponsored skilled worker visa if my husband passes a skills test that will cost £2000 and an english speaking test!!… The company has estimated nearly £5000 fees to help us and another £4-5000 for the actual costs of visas, tests etc… We can obviously appreciate the actual visa costs etc but are really struggling with such a large fee but understand that it will make things a lot more easier to get through. However….is there a way of doing it yourself? Do you know of a concise website that could tell us exactly what we need to do and how to do it? Long shot but worth a shot! I’m a 37 year old special needs teacher, my husband is 40 and an electrical engineer. We have 2 young children and another on the way. We have a house to sell and would like to move to Perth (or the surfers coast QLD thanks to your writings!!!).Loving the website etc!
Thanks for any advice you may be able to offer, Lucy
Wow! That really does sound a lot. You can do it yourself, but obviously you will still have to pay the fees that go to the Australian Government and the fees required by the assessment organisation. I am not aware of a website that is set up to help you. Sorry about that, I know the paperwork isn’t easy.
If you want to, you can send me, via email (see my contact me page) a full breakdown of your quote and I could ask my MARA registered agent what he would charge, maybe he would be a lot cheaper than the people you are using.
Hi Bob,
I’ve applied for the skilled migration visa subclass 176 for Australia, I’m primary applicant and my wife is secondary, All my documents are submitted and met the criteria. Problem came when they asked for the medicals, I did’t have any problemand status on website says Health requirement finalyzed, But my wife came positive withT.B, and MOC doc have asked to undergo 6 Months T.B treatment. so it will take another 8 to 10 months to grant visa if treatment is succefull.
My question is: is it possible that while my wife is undergoing treatment they can process my VISA , and after her treatment is over she can come and join me Australia.
Sorry to hear about that setback sandeep, I hope your wife recovers quickly. Not sure about your question though, I think your best bet is to ask the question to your case officer. I’m not sure, but technically I believe the secondary applicant should arrive with the main applicant. But maybe you could go back to get her and return together? But as I say, you would need to ask your case officer and get something in writing from them.
Good luck!
I have enganged MARA agent for migration to Austalia purpose. They promised to send my CDR to Engineer’s Australia for assessment on 16 March 2012. But now I heard from them that they sent the doc on 29 March 2012. I became surprised about their committment. Now I want to get out from Mara agents trap. Is it possible ? How will I go forward.
Nasir