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ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE MARA
The Office of the MARA commenced operations on 1 July 2009. It contributes to the well managed entry and settlement of people through its regulation of migration agents under Part 3 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Migration Act).
The objectives of the Office of the MARA are to ensure that:
- consumers understand their rights and agents understand their obligations under the regulatory framework
- only suitable persons are registered as migration agents and unsuitable persons are refused registration
or re-registration - registered agents maintain appropriate knowledge to enable them to provide accurate advice to consumers
- all complaints about the services of registered or formerly registered migration agents are appropriately addressed
- issues associated with previous regulatory arrangements are addressed.
The Office of the MARA works with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and other bodies, such as, prosecuting or regulatory authorities, to address the activities of persons acting as agents outside its mandate.
On 30 June 2010, there were 4482 registered migration agents who provided immigration assistance (as defined in section 276 of the Migration Act) to visa applicants, nominators, sponsors, review applicants and/or applicants for ministerial intervention. This compares with 4097 on 1 July 2009, an increase of 9.4 per cent in 12 months.
The Office of the MARA continues to work with registered migration agents and stakeholders to improve standards of service to the consumer, increasing the knowledge of agents through continuing professional development (CPD) and ensuring that only suitable applicants can be registered as migration agents.
The following aspirational statement was
adopted in June 2010:
Ethical profession
Empowered consumers
Engaged stakeholders
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stephen Wood
