OVERVIEW:
Major achievements of 2010–11

Initiatives and enhancements

Communications strategy

To set the foundations for the implementation of the communications strategy, the Office of the MARA rolled out important supporting projects such as the style guide. This guide was used to establish a unique corporate identity and formed the basis for many other projects, including the rebranding of the CEO newsletter and the Code of Conduct for migration agents. The style guide also assisted in providing design guidelines for promotional products and publications such as the Consumer Guide and the translated booklet, Your rights—tips on using a registered migration agent. A new set of migration agent number graphics was developed as a resource for agents to use in their own marketing material.

A primary focus on consumer protection was central to all key communications projects that were implemented. The Office of the MARA increased the number of community languages available in its publications for the benefit of culturally and linguistically diverse consumers. The booklet, Your rights—tips on using a registered migration agent—a concise version of the Consumer Guide—is now available in 18 community languages. An ethnic media strategy to support this booklet was implemented that included an editorial piece and advertisement across a range of ethnic media publications.

As part of the stakeholder engagement plan, the Office of the MARA delivered presentations across a range of forums, including migration resource centres and electorate officer seminars. The engagement plan has improved the awareness of the regulatory framework for clients of agents and other interested stakeholders.

Continuing professional development framework

As a result of a review of the continuing professional development scheme and following consultation with providers and key stakeholders, the Office of the MARA introduced a number of key improvements. A revised framework was announced in February 2011 and included:

  • more options for experienced agents to complete their continuing professional development by undertaking mentoring or attending conferences or advanced-level programs
  • awarding more points to activities involving smaller group interaction or assessments
  • creating a cap on seminars of 45 participants to increase learning and opportunities to ask questions
  • the introduction of a new distance learning category to recognise greater use of technology through e-learning.

Competency standards

In September 2010, the Office of the MARA began a project to develop specific competency standards for the migration advice profession. The project involved extensive stakeholder consultation through a series of focus groups, practitioner workshops and critical incident interviews. This approach identified key work tasks and the attributes required from a competent migration agent and resulted in the development of nine competency standards. A draft outline of these standards was released for public comment on 24 June 2011. When finalised, the competency standards will underpin curriculum development for the prescribed course and the content of continuing professional development activities.

Entry-level standards

During 2010–11, the Office of the MARA worked closely with the providers of the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice to review the adequacy of the prescribed course for entry to the migration advice profession. A new committee, the Migration Agents Registration Entrance Advisory Committee, was established, chaired by the Office. The committee included representatives from the four universities that deliver the prescribed course and key stakeholders. The committee met on three occasions and consideration was given to:

  • overseeing the direction, outcomes and development of the prescribed course
  • ensuring a consistent standard and educational outcome for students undertaking the prescribed course
  • ensuring a sufficient degree of uniformity, integrity and standards among the universities with respect to the prescribed examination.

Practice-ready program

One of the recommendations arising from the 2007–08 Review of Statutory Self-Regulation of the Migration Advice Profession was to introduce supervised practice for new agents. An intermediate strategy, taking into account the resource-intensive nature of supervised practice and the limitations on availability of supervision, is to introduce a practice-ready program. This program will provide new agents with the practical skills required to operate a successful migration practice.

The Office of the MARA sought expressions of interest from continuing professional development providers to develop and deliver a practice-ready program. The program will be introduced towards the end of 2011.

Ethical framework

Progress has been made in the development of a standard ethical framework for migration agents. This framework aims to provide better guidance to agents in managing ethical dilemmas and conflicts of interest. Continuing professional development providers can use the framework and associated toolkit to deliver ‘ethics and professional practice’ as an approved activity. The draft ethics toolkit was released for public comment on 24 June 2011.

Refugee family reunion kit

A kit titled Family reunion under the humanitarian program—guide for migration agents and volunteers was released in April 2011 to assist in the preparation of offshore humanitarian visa applications and can be used by migration agents, community volunteers or individuals preparing their own visa applications.

This was an initiative of the Office of the MARA that was funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and developed by the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service. The kit is available through the network of not-for-profit organisations offering immigration assistance.

Accredited specialists in immigration law

From 1 November 2010, the Office of the MARA removed the requirement for accredited specialists in immigration law to undertake additional continuing professional development (CPD) to meet re-registration requirements. This acknowledged the rigorous continuing legal education requirements undertaken by these agents to retain their accredited specialist status. Each year 10 CPD points are automatically credited when these specialists apply for re-registration as a migration agent.