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

WHV

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)

Student

Student Visa (500)

Passport
CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
OSHC
Financial Capacity Proof
English Test Score
GS (Genuine Student)

Skilled

Skilled Migration (189/190/491)

Skill Assessment
English Score (IELTS 6.0+)
Career Certificate
Degree Certificate
EOI
Health Examination

Partner

Partner Visa (820/801)

Relationship Certificate
Form 888 (Statutory Declarations)
Sponsor ID
Police Check

Graduate

Graduate Visa (485)

Australian Degree Certificate
English Test Score
Health Insurance (OVHC)
Police Check

3. Consultation Info

Conducted via video or phone. Book on the Expert Consultation page.

4. Useful Links

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 Section 417 has been repealed; cases where the s417 power was enlivened by a previous tribunal decision are now dealt with under s351.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.

Discretionary — not a legal right

The intervention powers are non-delegable and non-compellable: they may only be exercised by the minister personally, and the minister is not required to consider a request and is not bound by any timeframes. In other words, Ministerial Intervention is entirely at the minister's discretion, not a legal right, and there is no appeal against a decision not to intervene. Rather than planning around it as a fallback, it is far more important to prepare your case properly through the ART review stage with a registered professional.

How to make a request

A request must be made in writing, using the online form on Home Affairs' 'Contact the Minister' page or by post (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600). The request must identify exactly who is included and specify the power relied on, the tribunal decision, and which section 13 criteria the request relies on, with all relevant supporting information.

Ministerial Intervention is an exceptional discretionary process with no guaranteed outcome. This content is general information only and is not immigration assistance. For your individual case, always consult an OMARA-registered migration agent (RMA) or an immigration lawyer — providing immigration assistance for a fee in Australia requires a legally prescribed qualification (registered agent, lawyer, etc.).

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.

Can anyone request Ministerial Intervention?

No. You can only request it after receiving a review decision from the ART (formerly AAT) — without a tribunal decision the powers are not enlivened at all. Ministerial Intervention is also a discretion, not a legal right: the minister is not required to consider a request and is not bound by any timeframes. Under the new Ministerial Instructions of September 2025, only requests meeting the section 13 criteria are referred to the minister. (Source: Department of Home Affairs, accessed 2026-07)

Should I see an immigration lawyer or a MARA agent?

For standard visa applications a registered migration agent (RMA) is often sufficient, but only lawyers can represent you in judicial review before the federal courts. If you have a refusal history, complex legal issues, or a matter that may go beyond ART review, consider consulting an immigration lawyer.

My visa was refused — should I go straight to Ministerial Intervention?

No — the order is the other way around. First check the ART review deadline in your refusal notice (rarely extendable) and lodge the review in time. Ministerial Intervention is a last-resort discretionary process that only becomes available after you have an ART decision. See the Visa Refusal/Cancellation & ART Review guide for the full sequence.

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.

Immigration lawyer vs MARA agent (Lawyer vs RMA)

Since March 2021, Australian lawyers holding a practising certificate no longer need MARA registration to provide immigration assistance — the dual regulation was removed. An RMA may be perfectly adequate for a standard visa application, but only a lawyer can represent you in judicial review before the federal courts, so if you have a refusal history or complex legal issues, consider seeing an immigration lawyer. Another difference worth knowing: legal professional privilege applies to advice from a lawyer.

Getting a feel for fees and consultation costs

Community word of mouth puts a straightforward visa application at roughly $1,500–$3,000 and complex matters at $5,000 or more, but fees vary enormously between firms and with case complexity, so don't take these figures as gospel — get multiple quotes. Initial consultations range from free up to $200–300 an hour depending on the firm; ask upfront whether the consultation fee gets deducted from the professional fee if you sign on.

Check reviews and disciplinary history

Alongside Google reviews and community forum feedback, it's worth checking whether the agent appears on OMARA's published list of disciplinary decisions. Advertising that guarantees outcomes — '100% approval guaranteed' and the like — is a classic red flag and a potential Code of Conduct breach. When reading reviews, focus on whether the agent has handled your visa type before (skilled migration, partner visas and so on).

A Glossary of Terms You'll Keep Running Into

EOI (Expression of Interest) — your entry into SkillSelect

For skilled migration (189/190/491 and similar), you lodge an EOI through SkillSelect to enter a points-based pool, and you can only apply for the visa once you receive an invitation. An EOI is not a visa application — there's no government fee to lodge one and it remains valid for two years. A common misunderstanding is treating the EOI as the application itself and waiting around wondering why nothing's happening.

CoE and GS (formerly GTE) — key student visa terms

A CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment) is the enrolment confirmation issued by your education provider and is a mandatory requirement for a student visa (subclass 500) application. The genuineness assessment used to be done via a GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) statement, but from March 2024 it was replaced by the GS (Genuine Student) requirement, answered through questions within the application form itself. Be careful about copying GTE statement templates from old blogs — they may no longer match the current system.

Skill Assessment — designated assessing authorities by occupation

Skilled migration requires you to first pass a skills assessment with the authority designated for your occupation (ANZSCO code). ACS handles IT, Engineers Australia covers engineers, CPA Australia and CA ANZ assess accountants, ANMAC covers nursing, TRA handles the trades, and VETASSESS covers many general professional occupations — each with its own approach to recognising experience and its own processing times. Assessments carry an expiry date, so factor the timing into your EOI and visa application plans.

Form 888 — statutory declaration on a genuine relationship

For partner visas, this is a statutory declaration in which someone who knows you both attests that the relationship is genuine — it's generally recommended the declarant be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Formulaic lines like 'they make a lovely couple' carry little evidentiary weight; it's far better to include specific shared experiences and how the declarant came to know you both.

OSHC vs OVHC — mandatory health cover by visa type

OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is the mandatory cover for student visa holders, while OVHC (Overseas Visitors Health Cover) is for other temporary visa holders (the 485 graduate visa, working visas and so on). If you move from a student visa to a 485, you'll need to switch from OSHC to OVHC, and any gap in cover can put you in breach of a visa condition (such as 8501) — so line up the dates so the policies overlap.

ART (formerly the AAT) and Bridging Visas — review and lawful stay

Merits review of visa refusals and cancellations has, since October 2024, been handled by the ART (Administrative Review Tribunal, art.gov.au), which replaced the AAT (Administrative Appeals Tribunal). A Bridging Visa keeps you lawfully in Australia while a new visa decision is pending after your previous visa expires, with different rights attached to each class (A/B/C/E). Crucially, as a rule only a Bridging Visa B lets you leave and re-enter Australia — if you're on a BVA and have travel plans, look into applying for a BVB before you go.

What to Do When You Receive a Visa Refusal

Start by pinning down the grounds (Decision Record)

The notification includes a decision record setting out which criteria you failed to meet. Whether the issue is fundamental ineligibility, insufficient evidence, or doubts about genuineness (GS and the like) can change whether review or a fresh application is the better path — so step one is handing the entire notification and decision record, unedited, to a professional. Passing on selected excerpts is a recipe for bad advice.

Never miss the review deadline

The deadline to apply for review depends on the decision type and your circumstances and is stated in the notification — it's typically only a matter of weeks, and extensions are generally not available in migration matters. Once the deadline passes, the right to review is gone, so mark the date in your calendar and book a consultation the very day the notice arrives. Sitting on it for a few days to 'have a think' is the single most costly mistake.

How to apply for ART review and what it costs

You can apply for review online through the ART (art.gov.au); check the application fee on the ART's official fee schedule (a 50% fee reduction is available for financial hardship, and part of the fee may be refunded if the review succeeds). Processing times vary widely — from months to considerably longer depending on case type and timing — so plan for the long haul.

Staying in Australia during review — check your Bridging Visa

If you applied onshore and hold a Bridging Visa A, it may continue in effect through the review process so you can remain lawfully — but this depends on your individual circumstances, so verify your visa status and conditions (including work restrictions) through VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). And always talk to your agent before leaving Australia during a review — departing can affect your case.

What review actually is, and realistic expectations

ART review is a merits review — the Tribunal steps into the shoes of the original decision-maker and considers afresh whether you meet the legal requirements, and its biggest advantage is that you can submit new evidence obtained after the refusal. Set-aside rates vary greatly by visa type and case, so rather than banking on generic success statistics, judge your prospects by whether you genuinely have evidence that addresses the issues in the decision record. A good agent can help with framing the issues and assembling the evidence.

Re-apply or seek review — how to decide

If it was a simple missing document and you can now meet the requirement, a fresh application may be quicker — but if you were refused while in Australia, section 48 of the Migration Act can drastically narrow which visas you can apply for onshore, making review effectively the only path in some cases. A refusal must also be disclosed in every future application, so this fork in the road is exactly where advice from a registered professional earns its keep.

The Process: From Booking a MARA Consultation to Lodging Your Visa

What to bring to the initial consultation

Many firms offer a choice of video, phone or in-person for the first consultation. Bring a copy of your passport, evidence of qualifications and work experience, English test results, and a chronological summary of your visa history (including any refusals or cancellations) — it makes the session far more productive. Never hide a refusal: concealing it can come back as a false or misleading information problem (PIC 4020) in later applications, with far worse consequences.

What you should get out of the initial consultation

A good initial consultation gives you a comparison of your possible visa options, an honest assessment of your prospects, and a total cost estimate that separates professional fees from government charges. An agent who explains the risks and alternatives is more trustworthy than one who promises it'll definitely get approved. Get the quote in writing so you can compare it against other firms.

Signing the Service Agreement

If you decide to go ahead, you'll sign a written service agreement, as required by the Code of Conduct, setting out the scope of work, fees and the payment schedule. Milestone-based instalments are the norm; make sure you understand exactly what stages the agreement covers (for example, whether ART review is a separate engagement). Always keep a copy of the agreement.

Collecting documents and lodging via ImmiAccount

After signing, the agent will give you a document checklist and collection timeline, and the application is lodged online through Home Affairs' ImmiAccount. Once you formally appoint the agent, a Form 956 (appointment of a representative) is lodged and Home Affairs correspondence goes to the agent — so at the contract stage, get a commitment that anything that comes in is shared with you straight away.

After lodgement — further requests and processing times

After lodgement, things typically proceed through an acknowledgement, requests for health examinations and biometrics, then requests for further documents (usually an s56 request, with a stated response deadline). Processing times for each visa are published on the global processing times page of the Home Affairs website. Miss a response deadline and the decision can be made on the material already lodged — keep your lines of communication with the agent open.

Your obligation to notify changes during processing

While your application is being processed, changes to your address, passport or family circumstances (marriage, a new baby and so on) must be notified to Home Affairs, handled through your agent. If your agent goes quiet for long stretches or refuses to share progress, that may breach the Code of Conduct — keep records and use the OMARA complaints process if you need to.

Understanding MARA Consultation and Application Costs

Ballpark market ranges for professional fees

The rough ranges that circulate in the community: $800–$1,500 for simple visas like working holiday, $1,500–$2,500 for student visas, $3,000–$8,000 for skilled migration, $2,000–$4,000 for partner visas, and $2,500–$6,000 for ART review representation — but these are indicative only and vary widely by firm, city and case complexity. If a quote is dramatically cheaper than average, consider whether the scope of work is narrower than you think — or whether you're dealing with an unregistered operator.

Government charges are separate (Visa Application Charge)

The Visa Application Charge (VAC) paid to the government is entirely separate from professional fees; you can get the exact figure from the Visa Pricing Estimator on the official Home Affairs site (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au). When you receive a quote, ask for the VAC to be itemised separately so it's clear whether it's included. Assuming the total covered everything, then discovering thousands of dollars in government charges right before lodgement, is a common mistake.

Third-party disbursements — the hidden extras

Health examinations (at Bupa Medical Visa Services, the designated provider within Australia), English test fees (IELTS, PTE and the like), NAATI-certified translations, police checks (AFP National Police Check) and skills assessment authority fees are all third-party costs that sit outside the professional fee. Check each item against the relevant organisation's official fee schedule and build them into your budget from the outset.

Payment methods and receipts

Under the Code of Conduct, money received before work is performed must be held in a clients' account and only drawn down once the work is done — so always get an invoice before transferring money, and keep your receipts. Paying with an overseas-issued credit card can attract international transaction fees, so a transfer from an Australian bank account may work out better.

Check the refund policy before you sign

The government Visa Application Charge (VAC) is generally non-refundable even if the visa is refused, while professional fees may only be refundable for work not yet performed. Read the refund clause in the agreement — including how things are settled if you terminate early — before signing. Promises like 'full refund if you're not approved' can conflict with the Code of Conduct's prohibition on guaranteeing outcomes, so treat them as a red flag.

Can You Get Support in Your Own Language?

Finding an agent who speaks your language

The OMARA register (mara.gov.au) has no languages-spoken filter, so check whether an agent speaks Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese or another language through community recommendations, the agent's website or by asking directly. That said, registration status and experience with your visa type matter more than language — handing your case to an unregistered broker just because they speak your language is the single most common way people in the community come to grief.

TIS National — the government's official interpreting service

TIS National (Translating and Interpreting Service, 131 450) is the official interpreting service operated by Home Affairs, providing 24-hour phone interpreting; for non-English speakers, it can be free of charge when dealing with government agencies and many health and community services. Don't put off official processes out of worry about interpreting costs — when you ring an agency, ask to be connected through an interpreter first.

NAATI-certified translation — the standard for documents

Visa documents translated within Australia are generally expected to come from a NAATI-certified translator (NAATI: National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters); you can search for certified translators at naati.com.au. Translations by friends or uncertified translators can be knocked back, so going with certified translation from the start saves you time and money in the end.

Requesting an interpreter for interviews and health checks

If Home Affairs schedules an interview, you can ask for an interpreter to be provided — answering without one when your English isn't up to it risks inconsistent statements and credibility problems, so don't hesitate to ask. For health examinations and other visits to designated providers, it's worth asking about interpreter support at the booking stage too.

Free and low-cost advice channels

Some Community Legal Centres provide free or low-cost immigration advice — for example, IARC (Immigration Advice and Rights Centre) in Sydney. The scope of each state's Legal Aid support can be limited, so check with the organisation directly; if you're an international student, your education provider's student support team can also point you in the right direction.

Home Affairs multilingual resources — English originals take precedence

Home Affairs publishes translated material in multiple languages on the visa system and visa scam warnings, which is useful for getting your head around the concepts in your own language first. But the official requirements and forms are governed by the English originals — if a translation seems to say something different, go with the English version and check with a registered professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check whether someone is a registered migration agent (RMA)?▾

What else can I check on the OMARA register?▾

How are migration agent fees structured?▾

Is free immigration advice available if cost is a barrier?▾

Can anyone request Ministerial Intervention?▾

Should I see an immigration lawyer or a MARA agent?▾

My visa was refused — should I go straight to Ministerial Intervention?▾