How to check a registered migration agent in Australia

To check whether a migration agent is registered in Australia, you use the Search for a Registered Migration Agents facility on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website. If an agent does not appear in the search results, they are not registered and are not able to provide immigration assistance in Australia. You can search by the agent’s given name, family name, Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN), business name, or location, and you do not need to complete every field.

The official guidance is clear that only a registered migration agent can advise on visa requirements, assist with lodging a visa application, and communicate with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf, usually for a fee. The search tool is the definitive way to confirm that the person you intend to use holds current registration.

Where to search for a registered migration agent

The OMARA self-service portal provides a knowledge base article, “How do I find a registered migration agent?”, which explains the process step by step. From the home page, you follow the “Search for a registered agent” link. This takes you to the Search for Registered Migration Agents screen, where you enter the details you have.

The guidance advises you not to complete every search field. Only enter the fields relevant to your search. If you are looking for a specific person, you can search by their given name or family name. If you are unsure of the exact spelling, you can enter only the first few letters of the name. If you know the agent’s MARN, you can enter that alone; there is no need to complete any other search field.

You can also search by business name, or by location using country, state, suburb, or postcode. This is useful if you want to find all registered agents practising in a particular area.

What the search results tell you

Once you have entered your search terms and selected Search, the results display. The guidance says that if your agent does not appear in the search results, this means your preferred agent is not registered and is not able to provide immigration assistance in Australia.

To see an agent’s details, you follow the Family Name link in the results. This shows you the registration information held by the authority.

The search tool is the only reliable way to confirm registration. A person who claims to be a migration agent but who does not appear in the register should not be engaged to provide immigration assistance.

What a MARN is and why it matters

When a person becomes a registered migration agent, they are issued a unique Migration Agent Registration Number, known as a MARN. The official guidance describes this as a unique identifier. If you know the agent’s MARN, you can enter it in the search field to confirm their registration status directly.

If you are dealing with an agent, asking for their MARN is a sensible first step. You can then verify that number against the register. If the number does not return a result, or if the name associated with it does not match the person you are dealing with, you should not proceed.

Voluntary organisations and refugee applicants

The search tool includes an option to filter for agents who work for a voluntary organisation. The guidance notes that help from voluntary organisations is not available to everyone; you are required to meet certain criteria to engage the services of an agent working for a voluntary organisation.

If you select this option, the results will only show agents who work for a voluntary organisation. The guidance refers you to the OMARA website page on types of registered agents for further information on the criteria.

For refugee and humanitarian visa applicants, the official guidance points you to the Department of Home Affairs website for general information about visa and citizenship processes, including refugee and humanitarian visas. From the Department’s home page, you select Visas, then Getting a visa, then Explore visa options, and then Refugee and humanitarian. If you need further assistance, you can select Help and support from the home page.

What a registered migration agent can charge

The official guidance on fees states that registered migration agent fees depend on several factors:

Factor	Detail
Type of visa	The visa you are applying for affects the work involved
Time to prepare	How long it takes to prepare your visa application
Services needed	The specific services you require
Extra help	Whether you need additional assistance
Complexity	Whether you have a complex case, such as other people listed on your application
Experience	The registered migration agent’s experience

The guidance states that your registered migration agent’s fees must be fair and reasonable. The rules for fees are set out in the Code of Conduct.

An agent may ask to meet with you in person, by telephone, or by video call before they give you a contract. This is called an initial consultation. In that consultation, the agent will give you general information and answer your questions. Some registered migration agents do this for free, and others charge a fee. If an agent charges a fee for an initial consultation, the guidance says you should ask them to give you information about the fee in writing.

The official guidance does not publish a schedule of fees or a maximum amount. You should not rely on any figure that is not given directly by the agent in writing.

How to choose the right agent

The OMARA guidance provides a “Steps to choose a registered migration agent” page, which you can access from the home page. The official guidance does not set out a prescribed list of questions to ask, but it does emphasise that you should confirm registration through the search tool and that you should get fee information in writing where a fee is charged.

The key practical steps are:

• Confirm the agent appears in the OMARA register before you engage them.
• Ask for the agent’s MARN and verify it.
• If an initial consultation fee is charged, request the fee information in writing.
• Check the Code of Conduct for the rules on fees.
• If you are seeking help from a voluntary organisation, check whether you meet the criteria.

What to do next

Before you engage anyone to help with a visa application, run a search on the OMARA register. If you have the agent’s MARN, enter it alone. If you do not have the MARN, search by name, business name, or location. Confirm that the person you intend to use appears in the results.

If the agent does not appear, do not engage them for immigration assistance. Only a registered migration agent can provide that assistance in Australia.

The official guidance does not publish a list of fees or a standard charge for an initial consultation. Ask the agent to provide fee information in writing before you agree to anything. You should also review the Code of Conduct, which the OMARA guidance identifies as the source of the rules on fees.

For general information about Australian visa and citizenship processes, including visa finder, price estimates, and how to make an application, the official guidance directs you to the Department of Home Affairs website. The OMARA office itself has no access to visa processing information.