How to choose a good migration agent: MARA and what to ask

First step: verify MARA registration

Before anything else, check the agent’s MARA registration at mara.gov.au → Find an Agent. Enter their name or MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number). The result should be “Current” — an active registration.

Never use an agent who:

Has no MARN or refuses to provide one
Has an “Expired” or “Cancelled” registration
Has a MARA disciplinary record in their history

This sounds basic but it matters: many individuals and organisations offer to “help with visas” without valid registration. Paying an unregistered agent is a legal risk for you, not just for them.

Eight criteria for choosing the right agent

1. Expertise that matches your visa type

Australian migration has dozens of different visa types. No agent is equally strong across all of them. Look for an agent with specific experience in the visa you need:

Work visas (482, 186, EOI): an agent familiar with employer sponsorship
Family visas (partner, parent): an agent familiar with complex evidentiary requirements
Student visas: an agent who understands GTE and the education pathway

Ask directly: “How many cases of visa X have you handled? What is your success rate?“

2. Transparency about fees

A good agent provides a clear written fee agreement before you sign. How the fee is calculated (flat or hourly), what it covers, what it does not cover, and how it will change if the case turns out more complex than expected.

A warning sign: an agent who quotes a very low fee without explaining the scope of service often adds many charges later, or does not provide the full service.

3. No guarantee of outcome

An agent who promises “you will definitely get the visa” or “approval guaranteed” is breaching the MARA code of conduct. No one can guarantee DHA will grant a visa — the decision rests with DHA. An honest agent will assess your prospects based on your case, not make promises.

4. A communication style that suits you

You will work with this agent for many months. Email and phone response times, how they explain things, and the level of detail in their advice all affect both your experience and the quality of the application.

Ask: “Who will directly handle my case?” (Some larger firms hand the case to junior staff after a senior partner gives the initial advice.)

5. Location — onshore or offshore?

Both can work effectively for you — an agent with a MARN working from outside Australia is entirely valid. The more important factor is expertise and communication, not geography.

That said, for complex cases requiring direct communication with DHA or the AAT in English, an agent with an office in Australia is sometimes more convenient.

An agent works by being an authorised representative in the system — they do not need your ImmiAccount password. If an agent asks for your username and password, that is a serious warning sign.

7. Their attitude to your questions

A good agent encourages you to ask questions and explains each step clearly. An agent who dodges questions, is vague about progress, or is irritated by your questions is a red flag.

8. References from people who have used the service

If you can, ask people who have used that specific agent — not just Google reviews, which are easy to fake. A migrant community or a reputable migration forum can be a source of real references.

Questions to ask before signing

Bring this list when you meet an agent:

What is your MARN? (Then verify it yourself on mara.gov.au)
How many cases of [the visa you need] have you handled?
Who will directly handle my case?
What does the service fee cover and what does it not cover?
If the case needs additional documents or turns out more complex, will the fee change?
How will you communicate with me, and how soon do you respond?
Will you provide a written service agreement before I sign?
If the visa is refused, does the service include AAT appeal support? What is the additional fee?

Warning signs — avoid immediately

Promises of “guaranteed approval” or a “guaranteed visa”
Suggestions to “lodge several visas at once to increase your chances”
No written agreement provided
Requests for cash with no receipt
An inability to answer technical questions about the visa you are asking about
Encouragement to “edit” or “improve” your documents

If you have a problem with an agent

If you have a complaint about a MARA-registered agent (fees inconsistent with the agreement, failure to deliver the agreed service, or a breach of professional ethics), you can submit a complaint to MARA at mara.gov.au/complaints. MARA can investigate and discipline an agent who breaches the rules.