Using An Australian Migration Agent
This part of our guide to emigrating to Australia looks at Australian migration agents…
Migration agents are professionals who are experienced in helping people obtain visas for emigrating overseas. You don’t need to use one to apply for an Australian visa, however, using one for your migration can significantly quicken the process and, in some cases, even save you money as you can be certain that your application will be submitted correctly the first time.
The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (referred to as DIAC) has a list of reputable agents that are registered with them and so you should contact them if you do opt to use one, instead of simply choosing a random one from the internet or from the phonebook. Whichever one you do decide upon, get a rundown of the full costs before you make any payments, and read all of the small print.
Try starting off with one of the free eligibility tests that many migration agents offer on their websites, which take less than 10 minutes to complete. They’re only meant to be preliminary review of your eligibility, and the result of them shouldn’t be taken as 100% accurate, though they are based on the DIAC’s official immigration criteria.
Having completed an eligibility test, the next step is to talk with an agent to further discuss your application. There are many different types of visa available and they’ll assess which one is best suited to your circumstances, and your chances of success in applying for it. On deciding on the right type of visa, your information and documentation will then be collected, examined, assessed and processed by them. This is a critical step in the application process as applying for the wrong type of visa will result in your application automatically being rejected and you having to re-start the process from the beginning with the payment of another application fee.
Your agent will guide you through every step of the process, right up to the lodging of your immigration application with the DIAC, and will at every stage advise you of what you need to do or say to maximize your chances of a successful application. Also, should your application be denied for any reason, they’ll consult with you regarding the process of appealling to the review board.