Immigration Consultant Australia: Registered Migration Agent Services
If “immigration consultant Australia” is what brought you here, there’s one thing worth knowing before you choose anyone: it isn’t a regulated title. “Registered Migration Agent” is. Anyone can call themselves a consultant, an adviser, or a specialist. Only a Registered Migration Agent or a practising lawyer is legally permitted to charge a fee for giving immigration assistance in Australia.
This page explains what that distinction actually means, what services are available, and how to check you’re dealing with someone properly registered before you pay anyone for migration advice.
Simon Mander — Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0318058) — 23+ years experience in Australian migration law.
Immigration Consultant Australia vs Registered Migration Agent: What’s the Difference?
In Australia, giving immigration assistance for a fee is regulated under the Migration Act. It is only lawful if the person doing it is either a Registered Migration Agent — registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) — or a lawyer holding a current Australian practising certificate.
“Immigration consultant,” “visa consultant,” “migration specialist,” and similar titles have no legal meaning. They aren’t protected, and using one of these titles doesn’t confirm that the person is actually permitted to charge for migration advice at all.
This matters because unregistered operators — some based overseas, often found through social media or unsolicited contact — do approach people seeking migration help. Using one is not just a quality risk; if they’re charging fees without registration, it’s unlawful, and it can leave you without proper recourse if something goes wrong with your application.
Before engaging anyone, you can verify a Registered Migration Agent’s status and registration number directly through the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) register. Simon Mander’s registration number is MARN 0318058.
Services
If you’re comparing immigration consultant Australia options, here’s exactly what Simon Mander Consulting provides as a Registered Migration Agent:
- Skilled migration — points-based visa pathways including the 189, 190, and 491 subclasses.
- Employer sponsorship — including the 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa and 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.
- Partner visas — onshore and offshore pathways for married and de facto partners.
- Visa refusals and appeals — including representation before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).
Why work with an experienced Registered Migration Agent
Simon Mander has over 23 years of experience in Australian migration law, with offices in Adelaide, South Australia and Darwin, Northern Territory. That experience spans skilled migration assessments, employer sponsorship applications, partner visa cases, and visa refusal matters taken to the Administrative Review Tribunal — including cases involving genuine complexity, not just straightforward applications.
The practice also has direct experience working with clients connected to the Filipino migration community and with American clients navigating the Australian system, alongside the broader range of skilled and family migration matters handled day to day. Every matter is handled directly by Simon Mander — not handed off to junior staff — so the person assessing your case is the same person who has run matters like it through to a result before.
What to ask before hiring an immigration consultant
Before engaging anyone for migration advice, it’s worth asking a few direct questions:
- What is your MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number), or are you a practising lawyer?
- Can I verify your registration on the MARA register myself?
- What exactly will the consultation or assessment cover, and what does it cost?
- Will I receive anything in writing setting out my options before further work begins?
A genuine Registered Migration Agent will answer all of these without hesitation. Reluctance to provide a MARN, pressure to pay before any written scope of work, or unwillingness to put advice in writing are all signs worth taking seriously.
How an assessment works
Simon Mander Consulting doesn’t provide substantive migration advice for free. This isn’t a sales technique — it reflects the reality that genuine migration advice requires a proper review of your circumstances, and a registered agent giving that advice is taking on professional responsibility for it.
The process starts with a paid consultation to understand your situation, followed — where appropriate — by a formal written assessment setting out your options before any application work begins. You’ll always know what you’re paying for and why before you commit to anything further.
Related guides
- Further Assessment of Your Australian Visa Options
- Australian Partner Visa Guide
- Visa Refused in Australia: Your Options
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an immigration consultant and a Registered Migration Agent?
“Immigration consultant” isn’t a regulated title in Australia — anyone can use it. “Registered Migration Agent” is a specific, legally regulated status under the Migration Act. Only a Registered Migration Agent or a lawyer with a current practising certificate is permitted to charge a fee for giving immigration assistance.
Is it illegal to use an unregistered immigration consultant in Australia?
If someone is charging a fee to give immigration assistance without being a Registered Migration Agent or a practising lawyer, that’s unlawful under the Migration Act. Using such a service can also leave you without proper recourse if something goes wrong with your application.
How do I check if someone is a genuine Registered Migration Agent?
You can verify a Registered Migration Agent’s status and registration number directly through the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) register. A genuine agent will be able to give you their MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number) without hesitation.
How much does it cost to use a Registered Migration Agent in Australia?
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your matter and the type of visa or application involved. Simon Mander Consulting starts with a paid consultation to understand your situation, followed by a formal written assessment outlining your options and costs before any application work begins.
What services does a Registered Migration Agent provide?
Services typically include skilled migration assessments, employer sponsorship applications, partner visa applications, and representation in visa refusal matters, including appeals before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART).