If you are on my website and reading this post, you may be wondering what a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) is.
In Australia, it is illegal to provide immigration assistance (except in very specific situations) if you are not an RMA or a lawyer who holds a current practicing certificate. Why is this?
The reason for this is to protect the customer (you). Lawyers are bound by the requirements of the certifying body in the state that they practice, and RMAs are subject to the oversight of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Both Lawyers and RMAs have codes of conduct or conduct rules that they are required to abide by, along with many other requirements designed to protect their customers. One of these is the requirement to engage in continuing professional development (usually training activities). Migration law and the migration industry are both constantly changing, and without staying abreast of changes and developments, it is difficult to imagine how good service can be provided to the public by professionals practicing in this area.
Furthermore, Lawyers and RMAs are also subject to requirements around how they must deal with money received from their clients.
Again, these requirements are designed to protect customers, particularly those who have paid for services before those services are provided.
Outside Australia, Australian law does not apply, so there will always be unregistered agents and advisors operating in the market. While there are, undoubtedly, a number of unregistered agents who operate in an ethical manner, it is often difficult for the customer to know who can be trusted, and who cannot.
Choosing to work with an Australian lawyer or a Registered Migration Agent provides you with a level of assurance that, as far as possible, your agent will act in your best interest.
