Migration Agents Registration Authority
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Office of the MARA) is an Australian Government authority that regulates the Migration Agents profession. Migration agents assist people to migrate to Australia by using their knowledge of Australian visas and immigration law to complete necessary visa applications and represent them in dealings with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
The Office also assists people to find a migration agent, provide advice about fees that agents might charge and assist with making complaints about agents.
Under Australian law (Migration Act 1958, Part 3) any person who gives "immigration assistance" must usually be a Registered Migration Agent. The term "immigration assistance" is defined in section 276 of the Act to cover using, or purporting to use, knowledge of or experience in migration procedure to advise or assist various people with visa applications and related sponsorships, appeals, etc.
On 9 February 2009, after a review, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced new arrangements to govern migration agents. Under these new arrangements, the Office of the MARA, was established on 1 July 2009. Previously, the legislation appointed an organisation called the Migration Institute of Australia Limited (MIA) to function as the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), which was charged with maintaining a register of migration agents and carrying out a variety of functions under the Act in relation to supervision and discipline of agents.
The Office of the MARA is a discrete office attached to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. It is led by a Chief Executive Officer who reports directly to the Secretary of the Department. They are located in Sydney, but operate nationally.
Read more about Migration Agents Registration Authority: Functions, Registration Requirements, Sanctions, Similar Bodies in Other Countries
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