How to Check if a Migration Agent Is Registered in Australia
Before you pay anyone for visa or immigration advice in Australia, there’s one question that matters more than any other: are they actually allowed to do this? Australia has strict rules about who can legally provide immigration assistance, and “ghost agents” — unregistered operators posing as consultants — continue to target visa applicants every year. This guide shows you exactly how to verify a migration agent’s registration before you trust them with your case.
Who Is Legally Allowed to Give Immigration Advice in Australia?
Under the Migration Act 1958, only three categories of people can lawfully provide immigration assistance in Australia:
- Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) — professionals who have completed a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice, passed the Capstone Assessment, hold professional indemnity insurance, and are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
- Australian legal practitioners — solicitors and barristers holding a current practising certificate from their state or territory legal profession body.
- Non-commercial agents — typically staff at community legal centres, humanitarian organisations, or government-funded services, who may assist without charging a fee.
Anyone outside these categories who charges for immigration assistance is breaking the law — and providing unregistered immigration assistance is a criminal offence under the Migration Act.
Step-by-Step: How to Check If a Migration Agent Is Registered
Step 1: Ask for Their MARN
Every legitimate Registered Migration Agent has a Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN). A genuine agent will give you this number without hesitation. If someone hedges, deflects, or can’t produce one, that’s your first red flag.
Step 2: Search the Official OMARA Register
Go to the OMARA register and search using the agent’s MARN or full name. The register will show:
- Whether the registration is current, expired, suspended, or cancelled
- Whether the agent holds commercial or non-commercial registration
- Any conditions attached to their registration (for example, supervised practice or restrictions on visa types they can handle)
- Their registered business name and contact details
Step 3: Confirm the Registration Status Is Active
A MARN existing in the system isn’t enough — check that the status is genuinely current. Agents can be suspended or barred and still appear in historical records, so read the status field carefully rather than just confirming a number exists.
Step 4: Understand Commercial vs. Non-Commercial Registration
Since the Migration Agents Regulations 2026 took effect on 1 April 2026, this distinction carries more weight. Non-commercial agents may only provide free assistance — if someone in this category is charging you a fee, they are operating outside their registration and you should not proceed.
Step 5: Check for Disciplinary History
OMARA publishes disciplinary outcomes, including suspensions and cancellations, so the public can see the reasoning behind them. It’s worth checking this list, especially if an agent seems evasive about their history or if something about their advice doesn’t sit right.
Step 6: If They’re a Lawyer, Verify Separately
If you’re working with an immigration lawyer rather than a migration agent, their MARN (if they hold one) can still be checked on the OMARA register, but their core credential — their practising certificate — is verified through their state or territory Law Society, not OMARA. Immigration lawyers who also hold MARA registration offer an added layer of accountability, since they answer to both regulatory systems.
Warning Signs of an Unregistered or “Ghost” Agent
Watch for these red flags before engaging anyone for immigration assistance:
- They cannot provide a MARN, or the number they give doesn’t appear on the OMARA register.
- They use vague titles like “visa consultant,” “immigration consultant,” or “migration specialist” with no reference to MARA registration at all.
- They imply a special connection to government or claim they can guarantee approval — no legitimate agent can promise a visa outcome.
- They pressure you to pay upfront in cash with no formal service agreement.
- They operate under a business name that doesn’t match anything on the official register.
Why This Matters: The Risk of Using an Unregistered Operator
If something goes wrong with an unregistered operator, you have no OMARA complaints process to fall back on, no professional indemnity insurance protecting you, and no regulator with authority to hold them accountable. Worse, a poorly prepared or dishonest application can result in visa refusal, cancellation, or even a ban on future applications — consequences that fall on you, the applicant, not the person who gave the bad advice.
What to Do If You Suspect an Agent Is Operating Illegally
If you believe someone is providing immigration assistance without being properly registered:
- Report them to OMARA through the complaints portal.
- Contact the Department of Home Affairs directly.
- Submit an anonymous report through Border Watch if you suspect broader immigration fraud.
OMARA works alongside law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute unregistered operators, and enforcement has intensified under the 2026 regulatory overhaul, which introduced an infringement notice system allowing faster civil penalties for certain offences.
Final Thoughts
Checking a migration agent’s registration takes only a few minutes, but it’s the single most important step you can take before handing over your visa case — and your money. A current MARN on the official OMARA register is non-negotiable; everything else about an agent’s reputation and experience matters only after that box is ticked.
Visa Empire always recommends verifying an agent’s MARN directly on the OMARA register before engaging their services, regardless of how they were referred to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MARN and why does it matter?
A MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number) is the unique identifier assigned to every Registered Migration Agent in Australia. It’s the fastest way to confirm someone is legally permitted to provide immigration assistance.
Where can I check if a migration agent is registered?
On the official OMARA register at mara.gov.au, searchable by MARN or agent name.
Is it illegal to use an unregistered migration agent?
It’s illegal for the agent to charge for immigration assistance without registration. As the client, you won’t face criminal liability, but you lose all regulatory protection if something goes wrong.
Can a migration agent’s registration be suspended?
Yes. OMARA can suspend or cancel an agent’s registration for misconduct, including false statements, poor client communication, or failing to meet compliance obligations. Suspended agents cannot legally provide immigration assistance during that period.
Do immigration lawyers need to be on the OMARA register?
No. Lawyers are regulated by their state or territory Law Society and don’t require separate MARA registration, though many choose to hold it for added oversight.
What changed with the 2026 regulations regarding agent registration?
From 1 April 2026, non-commercial agents can only provide free assistance — if they charge a fee without holding commercial registration, they are acting outside the law.
