Steps to Become a Migration Agent
Step 1: Check you meet OMARA entry rules
Before you apply, check that you meet the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) entry rules. You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen with a special category visa. You must be at least 18 years old and pass a character check. OMARA will not register anyone who is not a fit and proper person.
Step 2: Complete a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice
Enrol in a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice at an OMARA-approved university. Approved providers include Australian Catholic University, Griffith University, and the University of Technology Sydney. Victoria University, Western Sydney University, and Murdoch University also offer this program. The course takes 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. It covers migration law, visa types, ethics, and set agent standards.
Step 3: Pass the OMARA Capstone Assessment
After you finish the graduate diploma, you must pass the OMARA Capstone Assessment. This is an exam that tests whether you meet the standards to give immigration help. You must pass before you can apply for OMARA registration. Study support is available through the universities that offer the graduate diploma.
Step 4: Apply for registration with OMARA
Submit your registration to OMARA. You will need proof of your diploma, your Capstone result, and a character declaration. You must also hold indemnity insurance of at least $250,000. OMARA issues a registration number, and your name appears on the public register of migration agents.
Step 5: Complete your annual CPD hours
Once registered, you must complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year to keep your registration active. CPD covers legal updates, ethics, and good practice. OMARA sets the hours you need each year. Most agents use workshops, webinars, and legal updates to stay current as immigration law changes.
Migration Agents manage visa applications from start to finish. Each day, they advise clients on visa options. They review applications, conduct interviews, and explain decisions from the Department of Home Affairs. They also stay up to date with changes to immigration law, which can shift regularly. Some agents investigate breaches of immigration law or advise businesses on skilled workforce migration. The role blends legal knowledge with strong client communication.
Migration Agents give advice, manage applications, and act for clients through Australia’s visa system. They combine legal knowledge with strong communication to help individuals and families move to Australia.
- Provides information about immigration laws, policies and procedures: agents keep clients up to date with what applies to their case.
- Answers written and phone queries: they respond to client questions promptly and clearly throughout the process.
- Reads, checks and decides on applications for residency or entry into Australia: agents check each application meets legal requirements.
- Interviews applicants: they gather key information from clients and check details before lodging an application.
- Explains decisions to applicants: agents break down visa outcomes in plain language and advise on what comes next.
- Issues permits and visas: they process and issue the required visas once applications are approved.
- Enforces immigration laws: agents ensure all actions stay within the legal framework of the Migration Act 1958.
- Investigates breaches of immigration law: they look into suspected breaches and advise clients on their legal position.
- Advises on immigration policies and operations: agents provide strategic advice on how policy changes affect migration plans.
To work as a Migration Agent, you need a strong mix of skills. Legal knowledge is the starting point. You need to understand immigration law and keep up with changes. Policy updates can affect your clients directly, so staying informed is part of the job.
Communication skills are just as important. You will write submissions, answer client queries, and explain visa decisions in plain language. Being clear and patient makes a big difference to clients who may be anxious about their future.
You also need attention to detail, good time management, and empathy. Visa applications require precise documentation. Managing multiple clients at once means juggling priorities and meeting deadlines with care.
