Immigration Consultation Booking
Search immigration experts (MARA Registered Agents, immigration lawyers) and book video/phone consultations.
Disclaimer
This page is for general information purposes only and is not legal advice. For legal matters regarding visa applications, always consult a registered immigration expert (MARA Agent) or immigration lawyer.
1. Immigration Experts
Immigration consultations must be conducted through MARA-registered agents or immigration lawyers.
Immigration Lawyer
Visa refusal appeals, complex immigration matters, ART merits review
MARA Agent
Visa application processing, document preparation, EOI submission
Expert listings available on the Expert Consultation page.
2. Required Documents by Visa
Working Holiday (417/462)
- Passport
- Bank balance approx. AUD 5,000 + onward travel fare (462 also requires education & English evidence)
- Health insurance (recommended)
- Police Check (Optional)
3. Consultation Info
Conducted via video or phone. Book on the Expert Consultation page.
4. Useful Links
- MARA - Registered Agent Search (opens in a new window)
- Department of Home Affairs - Visa Info (opens in a new window)
- SkillSelect - EOI Submission (opens in a new window)
- ART (Administrative Review Tribunal) - Visa refusal review (opens in a new window)
- ImmiAccount - Online Visa Application (opens in a new window)
- Home Affairs - Ministerial Intervention (opens in a new window)
5. Ministerial Intervention — a Last-Resort Discretionary Process
Ministerial Intervention is a process under which the immigration minister may use the public interest powers in sections 351 and 501J of the Migration Act 1958 to replace a merits review tribunal decision with one more favourable to you. Section 417 has been repealed; cases where the s417 power was enlivened by a previous tribunal decision are now dealt with under s351. It is an exceptional process exercised only where the minister considers it in the public interest, and it is not part of the statutory visa application process. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — Ministerial Intervention, accessed 2026-07)
When you can request — only after an ART decision
You can request Ministerial Intervention only after receiving a decision from the ART (Administrative Review Tribunal) or the former AAT. The powers are not available if:
- there is no review decision by a merits review tribunal
- a minister has already intervened to grant a visa
- the review decision has been quashed by a court
- the tribunal returned your case to the department and a subsequent decision has been made.
Family members can only be included in your request if they have also had a merits review tribunal decision.
What is assessed — the new Ministerial Instructions (September 2025)
New Ministerial Instructions issued on 4 September 2025 (amended 17 September 2025) replaced the 2016 guidelines, and the former 'unique or exceptional circumstances' test is no longer assessed. The department now assesses four criteria in order, and only requests meeting all of them are referred to the minister:
- 1. The intervention powers are enlivened
- 2. The request is properly made (Part 2 of the Instructions)
- 3. The request is not inappropriate to refer (section 12)
- 4. The request meets one of the section 13 referral criteria.
Requests from someone who may be eligible to apply for a Partner visa are treated as inappropriate to refer and finalised without referral.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I check whether someone is a registered migration agent (RMA)?
Search the official Register of Migration Agents on the OMARA website (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, mara.gov.au) by name or MARN (the 7-digit registration number). Registered agents are expected to display their MARN in advertising and on business cards, so being unable to provide a MARN when asked is a red flag. Australian lawyers holding a practising certificate can provide immigration assistance without MARA registration — in that case, check their registration with their state's legal profession body.
What else can I check on the OMARA register?
You can search the register by an agent's name, MARN (7-digit registration number), business name, business location (country, state, suburb or postcode) and whether they are a non-commercial organisation — there is no languages-spoken search, so confirm language support directly with the agent. You can also check OMARA's published disciplinary decisions for any sanctions history. Before signing, verify both registration status and disciplinary history, and treat outcome-guarantee advertising such as '100% approval guaranteed' as a red flag that may breach the Code of Conduct.
How are migration agent fees structured?
Under the Code of Conduct, registered agents must provide a written service agreement setting out the scope of work and fees. The government Visa Application Charge (VAC) is entirely separate from professional fees — check exact amounts with Home Affairs' Visa Pricing Estimator. Ask for quotes that show the VAC separately, and budget from the start for third-party costs such as health examinations, English tests, and certified translations.
Is free immigration advice available if cost is a barrier?
Some Community Legal Centres provide free or low-cost immigration advice, and the scope of each state Legal Aid's immigration assistance varies, so check directly with the organisation. Students can get guidance through their institution's student support office, and you can use TIS National (131 450) if you need an interpreter. See the Free Legal Help guide linked on this page for details.
In Depth: Vetting MARA Agents, Visa Refusals, Costs and Interpreter Support
Even if you put your visa in a professional's hands, you still need to understand verification, contracts, costs and the appeals process yourself to avoid getting burned. Here's a practical rundown — from choosing a MARA agent through to responding to a visa refusal and accessing interpreter support.
Finding a MARA Agent & Verifying Credentials
Check the official register first (OMARA Register Search)
Verify any migration agent directly on the OMARA register (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, mara.gov.au, under the Department of Home Affairs) by searching their name or MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number, a 7-digit registration number). Registered agents are expected to display their MARN on advertising and business cards, so if someone can't give you their MARN when asked, treat it as a red flag.
Unregistered practice is illegal
Anyone providing immigration assistance for a fee in Australia must be a Registered Migration Agent (RMA), an Australian legal practitioner, or otherwise qualified under the law — unregistered practice can attract criminal penalties. The most common trap is an education agency or an acquaintance offering to 'sort out your visa as well', so always check registration before handing over any money. Unregistered practice can be reported to Home Affairs.
Code of Conduct — the key obligations
Registered agents are bound by the Code of Conduct (a new Code commenced in March 2022), which requires them to provide a written service agreement setting out the scope of work and fees, maintain confidentiality, and hold money paid in advance in a separate clients' account. If an agent wants to proceed on a verbal arrangement only, the safe move is to walk away. If you suspect a breach, you can lodge a complaint with OMARA — sanctions range from a caution through to cancellation of registration.