43. MARA Agents – Professional Standards & Ethics

Keywords:
MARA Agents, OMARA, Sanctioned Agents, Immigration, Employer Nominated Visa

Episode Summary:

Getting professional help with your visa application for immigration purposes is common knowledge and practice. What most people aren’t aware of is that only certain people can provide immigration assistance: a migration agent, legal practitioner or an exempt person. OMARA – The office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority – a government body within the DHA, ensures that people who receive immigration advice are protected by registering only those who meet their qualification & character standards.

When a client hires the services of a migration agent, they place a great deal of trust in them. The client expects the agent to act competently & use their immigration knowledge to help them achieve the result they want. But they also want the agent to act ethically: that they will be honest, fair and act with integrity.

In today’s episode we shall deliberate on why ethics and ethical decision making is important to the work of a MARA agent.

Final thoughts:
Before you appoint someone to act on your behalf relating to your visa matter, make sure you have done your due diligence. Your authorized representative cannot provide immigration assistance unless they are: a registered migration agent, a legal practitioner, or an exempt person. It is important to know that any person who helps with your immigration matter cannot guarantee you a visa.

Main Topics:

• (00:00) OMARA and its role
• (02:57) Code of Conduct for MARA agents
• (04:42) Ethical Standards
• (06:33) Finding the right agent
• (07:28) Complaint about an agent
• (09:15) Service Agreement
• (10:00) Final thoughts

Additional Resources:

• OMARA
• Code of Conduct
• Find a registered migration agent
• List of Sanctioned Agents
• Consumer Guide