Migration Consultant vs Migration Agent: What's the Difference?

The Short Answer: They Usually Mean the Same Thing

In Australian usage, 'migration consultant' and 'migration agent' refer to the same role: a person who provides paid advice and assistance on Australian visa applications. The Australian Government's own materials use 'registered migration agent' as the formal term. Industry and consumer-facing language uses 'migration agent', 'migration consultant', 'immigration consultant', 'visa consultant', and 'visa agent' more or less interchangeably. What matters is not which word the practitioner uses to describe themselves — it is whether they hold current registration with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). A practitioner who calls themselves a 'consultant' and is MARA-registered is providing the same legally-authorised service as one who calls themselves an 'agent'.

The Legal Term: Registered Migration Agent

Under Australian migration law, the legally defined role is 'registered migration agent'. The Migration Act 1958 (section 276 onwards) sets out who can provide migration assistance for a fee in Australia. There are exactly two categories of person who may do so. The first is a registered migration agent — a person whose name appears on the public Register of Migration Agents maintained at mara.gov.au with a 'Current' registration status. The second is an Australian legal practitioner (lawyer) admitted to practice in an Australian jurisdiction and authorised to give legal advice, who may provide migration advice under their legal practice authorisation. Everyone else — regardless of what they call themselves — is not authorised to provide paid migration advice in Australia. Section 280 of the Migration Act makes it an offence to provide paid immigration assistance without being registered or a registered legal practitioner. The use of the word 'consultant' does not change that.

Be Careful With 'Migration Consultants' Operating From Overseas

Many businesses outside Australia describe themselves as 'migration consultants' or 'immigration consultants' and offer to help applicants apply for Australian visas. Some are legitimate operations — including offices of MARA-registered agents who happen to work from overseas, and overseas-based education agents who work alongside Australian-registered migration agents. Others are not authorised to provide paid migration advice for Australian visas at all. Before engaging any 'consultant' based outside Australia for paid Australian migration advice, verify the practitioner holds current MARA registration by searching their name at mara.gov.au. If the consultant cannot point you to a current 'Current' registration entry, they are not authorised to charge you for migration advice on Australian visas — even if they are legitimately registered in another country. Canadian RCIC registration, US INS-equivalent registration, Indian ICA registration, and similar overseas credentials do not authorise paid Australian migration advice.

Why the Terminology Matters for Verification

Because 'migration consultant' is not a legally defined term, the word itself tells you nothing about whether the person is authorised. The verification step is the same regardless of how the practitioner describes themselves: go to mara.gov.au, search by their full legal name or by the Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) they should be able to provide, and confirm the status shows 'Current'. The MARN is a unique 7-digit number assigned by MARA to every registered agent. Registered agents are required to display their MARN on correspondence, fee agreements, and advice they provide. If a 'migration consultant' cannot provide a MARN, or the MARN they provide does not return a 'Current' status on the register, that is a clear signal not to engage them. The search takes about a minute and is free.

What If I've Already Paid an Unregistered 'Consultant'?

If you have already paid fees to a person who turns out not to be MARA-registered and is not an Australian legal practitioner, you have several options. First, stop work and stop sending further information immediately. Any application they have lodged on your behalf can usually be transferred to a properly registered agent or to your own ImmiAccount — contact the Department of Home Affairs or a registered agent to plan the transfer. Second, report the unregistered conduct to MARA — the Authority has powers to investigate and prosecute unregistered practice under section 280 of the Migration Act. Reports can be lodged through mara.gov.au. Third, consider whether to pursue a fee refund through consumer protection channels in your state or country. MARA cannot order a refund, but a complaint to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, a state consumer affairs body, or a small claims tribunal may help. Throughout this process, do not let your immigration concern stop you from acting — leaving an unauthorised lodgement in place is rarely safer than addressing it.

How to Find a Genuine Registered Migration Agent

Whether you prefer to call them a 'migration agent' or a 'migration consultant', the practical task is to find a properly registered practitioner who fits your case. Several paths exist. The MARA register at mara.gov.au lists every currently registered agent — comprehensive but not designed for selection (no specialisation filter, no reviews). The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) directory at mia.org.au lists members, who are all MARA-registered. Migratio is a matching service for applicants: you describe your situation once and receive matched MARA-registered agents who have experience with your visa type. Each agent on the Migratio platform has their MARN verified against the live MARA register. Whichever path you use, the final verification step is always the same — open mara.gov.au and confirm the practitioner's MARN shows 'Current'.

Is 'migration consultant' the same as 'migration agent'?

In Australian everyday usage, yes — both terms refer to professionals who provide paid migration advice. The legally defined term is 'registered migration agent'. The word a practitioner uses to describe themselves does not change the legal requirement — anyone charging fees for migration advice in Australia must hold current MARA registration or be an Australian legal practitioner.

Can a migration consultant work without MARA registration?

Not legally, if they are providing paid migration advice in Australia. Section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 makes it an offence to provide paid immigration assistance without being a registered migration agent or a registered Australian legal practitioner. A 'migration consultant' who is not MARA-registered cannot lawfully charge for migration advice in Australia.

Are overseas migration consultants allowed to help with Australian visas?

An overseas-based practitioner can lawfully assist with Australian visas only if they hold current MARA registration or are an Australian-admitted legal practitioner. Many do — they hold Australian credentials while operating internationally. Many do not. The verification step at mara.gov.au is the same regardless of whether the consultant is based in Australia or overseas.

Why do some practitioners prefer the word 'consultant' over 'agent'?

Branding preference and historical usage vary. Some firms use 'consultant' because they sit at the intersection of migration, education, and relocation services; others prefer 'agent' because it matches the formal credential. Neither term carries different legal meaning in Australia. The MARN and current registration status are what matter, not the job title.

Is an education agent the same as a migration agent?

No. Education agents help international students choose courses and institutions. They are not registered with MARA and cannot provide paid migration advice unless they are also a registered migration agent. Many education agents work alongside registered migration agents who handle the visa side of the application. If an education agent offers to handle your visa, ask whether the migration advice is being provided by a registered migration agent — and verify that agent's MARN.