Migration Agents
Using a migration agent can make the visa application process much smoother, especially if your case is complex or you’re unfamiliar with immigration rules. It’s important to ensure that your agent is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and has a valid Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN).
Using a MARA-registered migration agent ensures you are receiving advice from someone officially recognized and regulated by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).
This means they are required to meet strict professional and ethical standards, stay up-to-date with constantly changing immigration laws, and act in your best interests.
A registered agent gives you peace of mind and a clear avenue for accountability if something goes wrong.
Working with an unlicensed agent (someone not registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority) can be risky—they might provide incorrect advice, submit applications incorrectly, or even engage in scams, which can lead to visa refusals, delays, or serious legal consequences.
Using an unlicensed agent can expose you to serious risks that can impact both your visa outcome and your finances. They are also unlikely to be insured, so if you run into problems there is nowhere for you to go to seek redress.
Unregistered agents are not legally allowed to provide immigration advice in Australia, so there’s no regulatory oversight or professional standards they must follow. This means you could receive incorrect or misleading advice, which may lead to visa refusals, delays, or even bans from reapplying.
There’s also a real risk of fraud—some unlicensed operators charge high fees, disappear, or submit false documents without your knowledge, which can result in severe consequences for you, not them.
Another major issue is lack of protection. Registered agents (with a valid MARN) must follow a strict Code of Conduct, hold professional indemnity insurance, and can be held accountable if something goes wrong. With an unlicensed agent, you have very limited options for complaints or recovering losses.
In short, using an unregistered agent might seem cheaper upfront, but it can cost far more in the long run—financially and in terms of your ability to secure a visa with genuine options for later.
Quick GBP Cost Examples
| Visa Type | Typical Agent Fee (AUD) | Approx GBP (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled migration | AU$3,000 – AU$10,000 | ~£1,600 – £5,300 |
| Partner visa | AU$4,000 – AU$7,000 | ~£2,100 – £3,700 |
| Student visa | AU$500 – AU$3,000 | ~£260 – £1,600 |
| Visitor visa | AU$800 – AU$2,000 | ~£420 – £1,050 |
(AUD → GBP at ~£0.53 per AUD; mid‑market rate for reference)
Here’s a comparison table with some of the bigger UK – Australia migration agent firms, with websites, typical fees (where known), MARA registration details, and review scores/ratings from Trustpilot or similar platforms to help you compare reputation and online presence. (Note: not all firms publicly list all agents’ MARA numbers on their website — you should always verify specific agent MARA numbers via the official register.)
The Official Register can be found here: https://portal.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/?utm
The costs of the migration agent are ADDITIONAL to the costs of your visa.
| Firm / Agent | Website | Typical Fees (Professional Service) | MARA / Registration Info | Public Reviews / Reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aussizz Group | https://www.aussizzgroup.com | Skilled/PR ~AUD 3,500–8,000+; Partner ~AUD 4,000–7,000+; Student ~AUD 1,500–3,000+ (indicative) | Multiple MARA‑registered agents on team (various MARNs) | Trustpilot ~4.4–4.6/5 from ~348 reviews (mixed but largely positive) |
| Concept Australia | https://www.conceptaustralia.co.uk | Bespoke pricing agreed after initial consult | MARN 9901024 (G. Igglesden, Registered) | Good reputation in UK markets; older specialised practice |
| Milne Migration Solutions | https://www.milnemigration.com | Initial consult (£90–£200); full service varies | MARN 0428024 (Dr Glen Milne) | Good niche reputation in UK‑Australia applicants |
| Migration Solutions | https://www.migrationsolutions.com.au | Skilled/PR ~AUD 3,500–7,500+ | Team of MARA‑registered agents | Highly rated on Google / industry lists (not aggregated on Trustpilot) |
| VisaEnvoy | https://visaenvoy.com | Lodgement‑ready from ~AUD 800–2,600; more complex cases quoted | MARA‑registered agents & lawyers | Strong Google review presence (e.g., ~4.6/5) |
| The Down Under Centre | https://www.downundercentre.com | Fees vary by stage; staged pricing common | Multiple agents including Patricia Devine (MARNs on register) | Trustpilot ~5.0/5 from ~270+ reviews (very highly rated) |
| Migration Expert Australia | https://www.migrationexpert.com.au | Consultation + tailored fees | MARA‑registered team | Trustpilot ~4.7/5 from ~220+ reviews |
| Asia Pacific Group (APG) | https://asiapacificgroup.com/ | Typical market pricing AUD 3,000–7,000+ | MARA‑registered agents | Google ~4.9/5 (1,000+ reviews) per local listings |
| PK Harrison Australian Visa Services | https://australianvisaservices.com.au | Consultation ~AUD 385 (initial) | MARNs held by agents | Good local reputation; reviews on Google |
| Opal Consulting (Sydney) | https://opalconsulting.com.au | Bespoke pricing per case | MARN 0747526 | Positive testimonials on third‑party sites (no major Trustpilot profile) |
A Visa Horror Story for you
I met a lovely woman who was here in Australia having been given migration advice by an unlicensed agent.
She came over on a Guardian visa (with no work rights), to look after her son, who came over on a student visa. He was 14 and a beautiful boy. She was advised by the “agent” that once she arrived in Australia she could easily change her Guardian visa to a different visa – one with work rights.
When they arrived, her son started school. But he was classed as an international student so there were significant fees applicable for his schooling that she was not aware of.
She looked into applying for work rights, only to find that she did not qualify for any visa with work rights, and work rights could not be added to the Guardian visa.
She could not secure a new visa with work rights despite this time seeking advice from registered agents in Australia.
She could not work. They had no money. The son ended up working to pay their rent (he was allowed to work limited hours under his student visa)
She asked for help. There was none available. They did not qualify for Government assistance. It looked like child safety might get involved as the child was supporting them both at just 14.
After a fraught few weeks, the British Consulate assisted with flights back to the UK and their dream was over.