Four legislative instruments regulating the activities of registered migration agents (RMAs) and continuing professional development (CPD) providers are due to sunset (automatically repeal) on 1 April 2026.
These instruments are:
Under the
Legislation Act 2003 if an instrument is still required after its sunsetting date, a new instrument must replace it. Therefore, each of the four sunsetting instruments will be replaced with a new instrument.
Commencement of the new instruments
Four new legislative instruments and some consequential changes to the Migration Agents Code of Conduct Regulations 2021 commence on 1 April 2026.
The new instruments have been amended to include contemporary language and updated references.
The new instruments will also include transitional arrangements for some activities.
Changes to the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Regulations 2026
In 2024-2025, the Department of Home Affairs (the department) advised stakeholders during consultation meetings of the intent to amend migration agents’ registration fees as part of the new instruments.
The department has determined that registration fees will be considered by the Australian Government as part of a future budget process. Therefore, the fee structure for RMAs remains the same as the
Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Regulations 1998
Changes for RMAs
There are changes to the regulatory framework for RMAs. This includes important updates to CPD requirements.
For more information, see
Legislative changes for RMAs.
Changes for people seeking registration as an RMA
There are changes to the regulatory framework to be registered as an RMA.
This includes changes to the approved list of education providers. These providers deliver courses and exams to register as a migration agent.
There are also changes to the English language requirements and the publication of a Notice of Intention to register as a migration agent.
For more information, see
Legislative changes for people seeking registration as an RMA.
Changes for CPD providers
There is a new provision for retention of records of all presenters and facilitators of CPD providers.
There is a change to when Private Study activities need to be completed.
For more information, see
Legislative changes for CPD providers.
