Where Can I Find A List Of Registered Professionals Who Can Assist With Visa Applications?

Learn exactly where to verify a registered migration agent or immigration lawyer in Australia — using the official OMARA register and state law society records — before trusting anyone with your visa.

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Anyone can call themselves a "visa consultant" online — but only two categories of professional are legally allowed to charge you for immigration assistance in Australia: registered migration agents and qualified lawyers. Here's exactly where to find and verify both, step by step.

The Official Register: OMARA's Register of Migration Agents

The single authoritative source for registered migration agents is the Register of Migration Agents, maintained by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) at portal.mara.gov.au. This is the only true source for confirming someone is a genuine registered migration agent — not a third-party directory, not a Google review, not a business website claiming registration.

How to Search the Register Step by Step

Go to portal.mara.gov.au and follow the "Search for a registered agent" link
Enter only the fields relevant to your search — you don't need to fill in every field
If you already have their MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number), enter just that; no other fields are needed
To search by name, use the agent's given name and family name fields (partial spelling works if you're unsure)
To find agents working in your area, search by business location — country, state, suburb, or postcode
Review the results for current registration status, business details, and any disciplinary history

What the Register Doesn't Cover — and Where to Look Instead

Lawyers don't appear on the OMARA register. Since 22 March 2021, Australian legal practitioners can give immigration assistance without holding a MARN
To verify a lawyer, check the relevant state or territory law society's practitioner register instead
Voluntary organisation agents (a separate category with limited eligibility) can be filtered separately in the OMARA search
The register shows registration status and MARN validity — it does not rate agent quality or outcomes, so due diligence beyond the register still matters

Verifying a Migration Agent vs a Lawyer
What You're Checking	Where to Search
Registered migration agent (MARN)	portal.mara.gov.au — Register of Migration Agents
Australian lawyer / legal practitioner	Relevant state or territory law society register
Disciplinary history of an agent	OMARA's published decisions and sanctions
Agent working with a voluntary organisation	OMARA register, filtered by "voluntary organisation only"

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Red Flags Beyond the Register Search

No MARN or practising certificate number displayed anywhere in their communication or advertising
Refuses to provide their registration number when asked directly
Uses vague titles like "visa specialist" or "immigration consultant" with nothing verifiable behind it
Guarantees visa approval — no legitimate registered professional can promise a Home Affairs decision outcome

Not sure how to read what the OMARA register shows you, or want a second opinion before engaging someone?

Australian Immigration Consultants can help you verify credentials and choose the right professional for your case — reach out today before committing your visa application to the wrong hands. Call +61 424 295 050 or email contact@australianimmigrationconsultants.com.

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What Changed in 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Migration Agents Regulations 2026 replaced the 1998 framework, alongside new Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements and updated registration charge rules. Genuine registered agents will reflect current CPD compliance in their OMARA record — another reason to check the live register rather than relying on outdated claims.

How Australian Immigration Consultants Helps

Beyond preparing and lodging your visa application, AIC helps clients understand exactly who they're dealing with — checking OMARA registration, explaining what a MARN does and doesn't cover, and being transparent about our own registration status and scope of practice from the first conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where's the official list of registered migration agents in Australia?
At portal.mara.gov.au — the Register of Migration Agents, maintained by OMARA.

How do I check if a lawyer is qualified to give immigration advice?
Check the relevant state or territory law society's practitioner register, since lawyers don't appear on the OMARA register.

Is it illegal to use someone who isn't on the register?
Yes — providing paid immigration assistance without being a registered migration agent or qualified lawyer is a criminal offence under the Migration Act 1958.

Does OMARA registration guarantee a good outcome?
No — registration confirms qualifications and accountability, but you should still check experience, reviews, and fees separately.