The Australian Government is strengthening the regulation of registered migration agents (RMAs), ensuring consumers receive only high-quality immigration assistance.
Four new legislative instruments take effect from 1 April 2026.
For those wanting to enter the profession, the legislation updates the approved list of education providers who can deliver the mandatory courses required for registration, as well as increasing the available number of English language test providers.
For those already registered in the profession, the legislation introduces enhanced professional development requirements. This includes new mandatory annual training in both ethical standards and refresher training on obligations under the Code of Conduct and a reduction in the number of online training hours that can be completed in one day.
This legislation forms part of the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority's (OMARA) strengthened regulatory focus, supported by a threefold increase in staffing by the Albanese Labor Government. With its expanded capacity, OMARA has intensified oversight of the migration advice profession, issuing a much higher number of sanctions against RMAs in response to integrity and professional conduct breaches.
Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Hon. Julian Hill MP, said the Government is seeing clear results from its crackdown to weed out unethical registered migration agents.
"The Government's crackdown on dodgy registered migration agents is showing results with 61 agents sanctioned to date since 2021/22. This protects vulnerable consumers and supports most agents who do the right thing by their clients.
"While most registered migration agents act with professionalism and integrity, those who engage in wrongdoing will be caught - it's not a matter of if, but when. Anyone concerned about agent behaviour is encouraged to raise a complaint."
Recent sanctions included the cancellation of an agent's registration after 20 years in the industry, following significant breaches of the Code of Conduct. These breaches included intentionally failing to notify the Department of Home Affairs that immigration assistance had been provided, knowingly supplying false and misleading information in visa applications and using templated statements that didn't reflect each applicant's individual circumstances. The agent received a five-year ban on registration.
Another NSW migration agent with over 13 years' experience had their registration suspended for two years, following a detailed investigation into serious breaches of professional conduct.
The investigation was prompted by a client complaint, and uncovered multiple breaches of migration law, including at least two instances where sponsorship costs for a Temporary Skills Shortage Visa application were unlawfully passed on to the visa applicant, when legally they should be paid by the employer. As a result of the investigation a Sydney dance company also had its sponsorship privileges revoked.
This financial year alone, OMARA has sanctioned 14 RMAs - bringing the total number of RMAs sanctioned since 2021/22 to 61.
Senior Director at OMARA, Emily Winch reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to maintaining integrity within the migration advice industry.
"By only registering those who meet the requisite knowledge and character standards and by taking strong action against misconduct, we're upholding the reputation of those who do the right thing, protecting consumers of migration advice services, and maintaining confidence in Australia's world class visa and migration system", she said.
Further information
OMARA is Australia's key regulatory body for RMAs overseeing more than 5400 RMAs across Australia.
OMARA only registers people who meet strict qualification and character standards. It is responsible for investigating complaints against agents.
Only RMAs and Australian legal practitioners can lawfully be paid for providing immigration assistance in Australia. To find a registered migration agent, search the register of migration agents.
Complaints about RMAs can be made through the OMARA website at make a complaint about a registered agent (mara.gov.au).
Further information on the new legislation can be found here Legislative updates.
Anyone with information relating to potential immigration offences, including scam agents providing immigration assistance unlawfully, or other suspicious activity is strongly encouraged to submit a report online at Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously.
