The register, the right questions, the fair prices — and the walk-away signs.
A good migration agent turns a stressful, high-stakes process into a managed project. A bad one costs you thousands and, occasionally, your visa pathway. The difference is checkable in minutes — because Australia regulates this profession harder than almost any country on Earth. Here's how to use that to your advantage.
In Australia it is illegal to give immigration assistance for a fee unless registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) — or admitted as an Australian legal practitioner. Every legitimate agent has a MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number) and appears on the free public register at mara.gov.au. The register shows their registration status, years registered, business details and — critically — any disciplinary history. If someone offering visa help isn't on it (and isn't a lawyer), stop the conversation.
Offshore "consultants" in your home country are the loophole to watch: OMARA can't police them, and they're the source of most horror stories. Prefer agents on the register wherever they're physically located — many excellent registered agents work with offshore clients entirely online.
| Service | Typical professional fee range* |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation (often credited if you proceed) | $0 – $350 |
| Visitor visa (600) | $300 – $900 |
| Student visa (500) | $800 – $2,500 |
| Skilled visas (189/190/491, incl. EOI strategy) | $2,500 – $5,500 |
| Employer sponsored (482/186, applicant side) | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| Partner visas | $3,500 – $8,000 |
| ART review / refusal work | $4,000 – $15,000+ |
These are professional fees only — government application charges are always separate and identical whether you use an agent or not. Beware quotes wildly below these ranges (corners get cut) and demand a written fixed-fee agreement listing exactly what's included; the Code of Conduct requires one before work starts.
Not sure you need an agent at all? For clean, straightforward cases, self-lodging is genuinely viable — our DIY visa guide shows the process and exactly what you'd save. And run your numbers first with the points calculator.
* Figures marked with an asterisk are approximate market ranges observed as at July 2026, not fixed or legislated amounts. They vary by state, provider and year, and are provided for planning only — always confirm current prices, fees and thresholds with the official source or provider before deciding.