How to Be an Immigration Agent in Australia
- 1). Check that you will be able to meet requirements to be a migration agent by the time you apply for a MARA registration: You must be at least 18 years old and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- 2). Obtain a graduate certificate in Australian migration law and practice from The Australian National University, Griffith University, Murdoch University or Victoria University. If you have a current Australian legal practicing certificate, you can skip this step, because you already meet the knowledge requirements to be a migration agent.
- 3). Take an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam to prove that you meet the English language standard. The IELTS requires that you score a minimum average of 7.0, with minimum subtest scores of 6.5. Internet-based TOEFL expects a minimum score of 100, with a minimum score of 22 in each subtest.
However, if you already hold a current Australian legal practicing certificate or have completed an Australian, New Zealand, U.K. or Canadian university degree, you can skip this step. - 4). Familiarize yourself with legislation pertaining to the migration agent profession, including Migration Act 1958, Migration Agents Regulations 1998, Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997, and Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Regulations 1998.
- 5). Obtain professional indemnity insurance for at least $250,000 (AUD) to comply with Section 292B of the Migration Act 1958.
- 6). Obtain a police check from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
- 7). Download and complete the M01 form. Gather all the supporting documents, as detailed in the form.
- 8). Pay for the application by BPAY, check or money order. The fee is either $160 (AUD) or $1,760 (AUD), depending on the type of registration you choose (nonprofit or commercial). Send your application package to the MARA office. MARA will notify you when your application has been processed.
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