| The Department of Immigration and Citizenship | | | | Authority (MARA). |
| continues to encourage migrants to consider Australia | | | | The MARA is the professional body for migration |
| for migration, conducting skills expos and seminars | | | | agents appointed by the federal government under a |
| around the globe. | | | | statutory self-regulation scheme in 1998, to help |
| The question for many prospective skilled migrants | | | | consumers and maintain high standards of knowledge, |
| however is skilled or not skilled? Am I? How do I find | | | | ethics and professionalism in the migration advice |
| out? What assistance is there available to me? Do I | | | | profession. |
| need a migration agent? How do I know I have chosen | | | | All Registered Migration Agents have a registration |
| a reputable migration agent? | | | | number that identifies them as a registered agent. |
| The questions are endless, but there are answers. | | | | It is very important if you are 'offshore', that is outside |
| Before deciding on what type of skilled migration you | | | | of the Australian migration zone, that you are well |
| wish to undertake you need to find out if you are | | | | informed about the registration status of the migration |
| 'skilled' for the purposes of making a valid application. | | | | agent you choose. Currently the MARA is not able to |
| You can do this by using the Department of | | | | enforce mandatory registration on offshore agents. |
| Immigration and Citizenship's website searching the | | | | Jurisdictional issues prevent such management of the |
| Skilled Occupations List (SOL) or the Migration | | | | profession overseas. |
| Occupation in Demand List (MODL). | | | | You do not have to use a migration agent to make an |
| Once you have worked through the lists and identified | | | | application to come to Australia, however if you are |
| that your occupation is one classified as skilled for | | | | really serious about becoming a citizen, you may feel |
| migration purposes, you then need to ensure you have | | | | far more comfortable with a professional and |
| enough work experience within the occupation and | | | | registered representative on your side working on your |
| finally you will need to have your skills assessed, all | | | | behalf. Without an agent to assist you, any immigration |
| before you consider what visa may be suitable for | | | | dilemmas that arise may prove to be frustrating and |
| you to make an application to Australia. | | | | time consuming, sometimes causing a negative |
| This can be daunting however there is assistance | | | | outcome that may have been avoided if professional |
| available. You can choose to seek advice from a | | | | assistance had been used. Keep an open mind about |
| Registered Migration Agent or immigration lawyer. The | | | | your options and consider hiring a registered migration |
| Australian Migration Advice Profession requires that all | | | | agent to assist you in managing your pathway to |
| migration agents who provide advice onshore must be | | | | Australia. |
| registered through The Migration Agents Registration | | | | |