Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)

The Migration Agents Registration Authority is a division of The Migration Institute of Australia Limited (MIA), which is the peak professional association of migration agents in Australia. MARA was appointed by the federal government under a statutory self-regulation scheme in 1998 to help consumers and maintain high standards of knowledge, ethics and professionalism in the migration advice profession.

MARA are located in Sydney, but operate nationally to regulate the migration advice profession under section 316 of the Migration Act 1958.

MARA functions include:

• Processing applications for registration to operate as a migration agent (it is against the law to operate as a migration agent in Australia if not registered).
• Administering a scheme of continuing professional development that ensures that migration agents keep their knowledge up to date.
• Helping consumers by monitoring the conduct of agents and investigating complaints about possible breaches of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct. The code has mandatory standards of ethics and professionalism for registered migration agents.