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Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority Review

Independent Review – Department of Immigration and Border Protection

On 8 May 2015, the Government released its response to the recommendations of the 2014 Independent Review of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). The review was tasked with, among other things:

  • examining and reporting on the most appropriate organisational structure for regulating the immigration advice sector in order to protect consumers; and
  • examining the regulatory framework and powers for the OMARA to assess if they are still appropriate and identify opportunities to reduce regulatory burden.

The review consulted broadly across stakeholders and made several recommendations, some of which are likely to reduce regulatory costs while others strengthen regulation. Key measures to be implemented include:

  • lawyers no longer required to register as a migration agent in order to provide immigration assistance;
  • strengthening of the training and entry qualifications for new entrants into the migration agent profession;
  • reviewing the re-registration process for migration agents;
  • reducing red tape for Continuing Professional Development requirements; and
  • review of the scope and content of the Code of Conduct.

The 2014 Independent Review of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority has been certified as a Regulation Impact Statement by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (the Department). The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) does not assess independent reviews. The Department has estimated the average annual regulatory cost at $3.287 million, and has identified offsets. The OBPR has agreed to the regulatory cost estimates and offsets.