• Home
• Letter of transmittal
• Chair's report
• Advisory board
• Chief Executive Officer's report
• Structure and functions
  of the Authority
• Key performance information
  and outcomes
• Snapshot: 2012-13 year
  at a glance
• Operational reports
• Financial statements
• Appendices
• Abbreviations and acronyms
• www.mara.gov.au

I have found it highly rewarding to chair the advisory board during my first term of appointment over the past two years. During this time, the remainder of the recommendations stemming from the 2007–08 Review of Statutory Self–Regulation of the Migration Advice Profession have been progressed. In addition, the board has provided advice to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (the Authority) on a wide range of issues as it focuses its regulatory effort to ensure that consumers seeking or obtaining migration services from registered migration agents can do so with confidence that they will receive competent and ethical advice.

• amendments to the continuing professional development (CPD) framework aimed at creating greater clarity and flexibility around standards and more choice for agents in activities that best suit developmental needs. The strengthened support for the not-for-profit sector and encouragement of pro bono assistance inherent in the changes was a key consideration for the board.
• the ongoing proposal for improvements to the knowledge requirement for entry to the profession, emphasising the need for a flexible and cost-effective pathway focused on practical outcomes and raising standards
• enhancements to the ethics framework, including the addition of further Ethics Bytes modules focusing on client relationships and conflict of interest
• proposed changes to the code of conduct to provide greater clarity and guidance to registered migration agents
• the potential for implementing an offshore regulation scheme and the possible options, including overseas models, for research and examination
• the implementation of recommendations resulting from the complaint-handling review, including development of a framework to consider risk and deliver outcomes within agreed time frames. Training for officers in conciliation techniques to support new processes for early complaint resolution was also discussed.
• amendments to legislation and policy concerning the not-for-profit sector to clarify the nature of the business operations and organisational structures that are the intended subjects of these provisions
• implementation of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement in the context of the immigration advice profession in Australia
• consultation on and development of the Client monies toolkit for registered migration agents, a resource aimed at helping agents implement best practice requirements and improve consumer protection
• evaluation of the effectiveness of the Authority’s communications strategy and options for further improvements. Guidance was provided in relation to stakeholder engagement, use of preferred media, community languages and greater availability of online products and information.
• the Authority’s strategic direction, operational performance and internal governance.