OMARA Australia: The Complete Guide to Migration Agent Regulation

What Is OMARA?

OMARA stands for the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. It is a government regulatory body that sits within the Department of Home Affairs and oversees all registered migration agents in Australia. OMARA's core functions are: registering agents who meet the educational and character requirements; monitoring ongoing compliance with the Code of Conduct; investigating complaints about registered agents; and disciplining or deregistering agents who breach professional standards. OMARA was established under the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997. Its purpose is to protect visa applicants by ensuring that only qualified, accountable practitioners can charge fees for migration advice. It is a criminal offence in Australia to provide paid migration advice without being a registered migration agent — a law OMARA enforces.

Who Needs to Be Registered With OMARA?

Anyone who provides migration advice in exchange for payment or reward must be registered with OMARA. This includes migration consultants, registered migration agents, and any person who charges for preparing or lodging visa applications. There are limited exemptions: Australian legal practitioners (lawyers) can provide migration advice under their legal practitioner registration without being registered with OMARA; some employees of the Department of Home Affairs; and MPs or their staff providing general information. The key point: if a person is charging you for visa advice or application lodgement and they are not a lawyer or OMARA-registered agent, they are operating illegally. This is a significant consumer protection issue — unregistered operators exist and can cause serious harm to applicants. Always verify registration before engaging anyone for paid migration assistance.

How to Search the OMARA Register

The OMARA register is a publicly searchable database of all currently registered migration agents. You can access it at the OMARA website (omara.gov.au) and search by agent name, migration agent registration number (MARN), firm name, or location. The register shows the agent's MARN, registration status (current, suspended, or cancelled), the firm they work for, and their contact details. Always search before engaging an agent — do not rely solely on the MARN they provide, as these can be fabricated or belong to a different person. The correct verification method is to search the register independently using the agent's name or firm name, then confirm the MARN shown in the register matches what the agent has told you. Migratio only lists agents with current OMARA registration and verifies MARN details before including any agent on the platform.

What the OMARA Code of Conduct Requires

Registered migration agents are bound by the Code of Conduct for Registered Migration Agents, a legally enforceable standard. The Code requires agents to: act in the client's best interests and maintain confidentiality; provide honest and realistic assessments of prospects; charge reasonable fees and provide a written fee agreement; keep clients informed of progress and respond promptly; not mislead or deceive clients; maintain detailed file notes and records; hold client funds in a separate trust account; complete mandatory continuing professional development each year; and hold professional indemnity insurance. The Code also prohibits agents from charging fees for services not delivered, making guarantees about visa outcomes, and referring clients to for-fee services without disclosure. When agents breach the Code, OMARA can take disciplinary action ranging from a caution to cancellation of registration.

How to Lodge a Complaint With OMARA

If you believe a registered migration agent has acted improperly, you can lodge a formal complaint with OMARA. Complaints are accepted online through the OMARA website. OMARA can investigate: unreasonable fees or charges without a written agreement; failure to communicate or provide updates; giving incorrect advice that harmed your application; misleading statements about prospects; mishandling your documents or funds; and breaches of the Code of Conduct. OMARA cannot: reverse a visa decision; recover money on your behalf (you would need a tribunal or court for that); investigate complaints about lawyers who provided migration advice; or handle complaints about Department of Home Affairs decisions. For money recovery, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), Australian Consumer Law, or state small claims tribunals may be more appropriate. OMARA's role is disciplinary — it can sanction the agent, not compensate you directly.

OMARA vs MARA — What Is the Difference?

These terms are often confused. OMARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority) is the regulatory body — the government office that runs the system. MARA is the abbreviation used to describe the registration itself — a registered migration agent is often described as 'MARA-registered' or a 'MARA agent'. When an agent displays their MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number), they are showing their MARA registration number — the credential issued by OMARA. So: OMARA administers the MARA register. An agent being 'MARA-registered' means they are listed on the register maintained by OMARA. The terms are used interchangeably in everyday conversation, but technically OMARA is the body and MARA is the credential/register. When searching for your agent's credentials, search at omara.gov.au.

How Migratio Uses OMARA Registration

Every agent on the Migratio platform is MARA-registered with a current OMARA registration. Before including any agent in our matching system, we verify their MARN against the live OMARA register. When you submit a case brief through Migratio, you are matched only with agents whose registration is current and in good standing. You can always independently verify any agent's registration at omara.gov.au by searching their name or MARN. Migratio exists to make finding a qualified, accountable agent easier — you describe your situation once and receive matched agents rather than having to vet dozens of practitioners individually. The service is free for applicants.

Is OMARA the same as MARA?

OMARA is the regulatory body (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority). MARA refers to the registration credential and register it maintains. Agents are 'MARA-registered', meaning they are on the register administered by OMARA. The terms are often used interchangeably in practice.

How do I check if my migration agent is registered?

Go to omara.gov.au and search the public register using the agent's name, firm name, or MARN. Confirm that the registration status shows as 'current' and that the MARN matches what the agent has provided you.

Can I use an unregistered migration agent?

No — in Australia, paying an unregistered person for migration advice is not just risky, it is illegal on their part. Unregistered operators cannot be regulated or disciplined by OMARA, and you have no recourse if something goes wrong. Only use MARA-registered agents or Australian-registered lawyers.

What happens if I complain to OMARA?

OMARA investigates the complaint and can caution, suspend, or cancel the agent's registration. However, OMARA cannot award you compensation or reverse a visa decision. For financial recovery, you may need to use consumer tribunals or courts.

Does OMARA registration mean the agent is good at their job?

Registration means the agent has met the qualification requirements (migration law qualification) and passed a character check. It does not guarantee quality or experience. For complex cases, ask agents specifically about their experience with your visa type and check reviews from past clients.

How much does OMARA registration cost agents?

The registration charge is set by regulation. As of 2026, it is approximately $1,900 for initial registration and $1,700 for renewal every year. This cost contributes to maintaining the regulatory system. Agents must also hold professional indemnity insurance and complete continuing professional development annually.