Look, five migration agents have been sanctioned since June 2025. One had their registration cancelled for five years. These were not minor slip-ups. These were serious breaches of trust.
If you are working with an agent right now, or thinking about engaging one, this is something you need to know about.
What Actually Happened
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority found that one agent had engaged in conduct that completely undermined the trust people placed in them. I have seen cases damaged by bad advice before, but this was something else.
The breaches included:
• Providing false and misleading information in visa applications
• Submitting fraudulent documentation
• Submitting applications without the knowledge or consent of sponsors
• Ignoring clients' instructions entirely
• Withholding essential documents like service agreements and receipts
• Misleading advertising
• Mishandling client funds
• Failing to maintain up-to-date knowledge of migration law
OMARA found the agent was not a fit and proper person to provide immigration assistance. That is the official finding. Registration cancelled for five years.
How to Protect Yourself
Before you engage anyone to help with your visa, do this:
1. Verify their registration on the official OMARA Register of Migration Agents
2. Check if they have any sanctions or conditions on their registration
3. Ask for a written service agreement before you pay anything
4. Get receipts for all payments
5. Keep copies of everything you sign
These are basic steps. They take ten minutes. And they can save you years of problems.
Immigration Lawyers vs Migration Agents
Immigration lawyers are regulated by the Legal Services Board and must hold practising certificates. We can represent you in court if things go wrong. Migration agents cannot.
Both can help with visa applications. But if your case is complex, if there are character issues, if you need to appeal a decision, you want a lawyer. That is not marketing. That is just how the system works.
What If You Have Concerns About Past Advice
If you have concerns about advice you received from a migration agent, you can lodge a complaint with OMARA. You can also seek an independent review of your case.
If your visa was refused because of poor advice or mistakes made by someone else, we can assess your appeal options. I have helped clients recover from situations like this before. It is not always easy, but it is often possible.
Worried about past advice or representation? Book a consultation for an independent, confidential assessment of where you actually stand.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice on your specific circumstances, book a consultation.
