Working with a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) gives you regulated, up‑to‑date and accountable advice on Australian visas, which significantly reduces the risk of costly errors or refusals.

What a Registered Migration Agent must do
An RMA must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA/MARA) and hold a current Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) you can verify on the public register.

They are required to complete Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every year to ensure their knowledge of migration law and policy changes are current in order to maintain registration.

Professional standards and client protection
RMAs must follow the MARA Code of Conduct, which sets standards for competence, honesty, record‑keeping, clear written agreements, and keeping client funds in a separate client account.

They must provide a transparent fee structure, explain the Code of Conduct to clients, communicate realistic prospects of success, and avoid misleading claims or undue pressure.

Risks of using an unregistered agent
Only registered migration agents (or certain exempt lawyers) are legally permitted to provide immigration assistance in Australia; unregistered agents can face fines or imprisonment for giving paid migration advice.

Unregistered operators may give inaccurate advice, make false promises of guaranteed success, or submit applications with incorrect or unnecessary information, which can lead to refusal, loss of money and even unlawful status for clients.