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Timestamp: 2013-05-23 14:19:56
Document Index: 631998293

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Is your Australia Immigration Agent Qualified?| Australia Migration process| Knowledge Base
It is also important that your migration agent works within the DIAC guidelines. Migration agents and lawyers in Australia are members of the MARA and all our agents are members of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA).
United, these factors ensure that your application for any Australian visa is dealt with professionally. Some of our clients call it emigration, some immigration and others migration, all are essentially the same life changing process of moving to Australia
This Code of Conduct sets out in detail their professional and ethical standards. Clients can feel assured that the Code has legal force as it is set out in Schedule 2 of Regulation 8 of the Migration Agents Regulations 1998.
Copies of this Code of Conduct are displayed prominently in all agents’ offices and in their office waiting areas and are made available to clients on request. The Code is also available on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority’s website at www.mara.gov.au.
PO Box Q1551, QVB NSW 1230, Australia
Tel: 1300 22 6272 Part 1 Introduction
(b) to set out the minimum attributes and abilities that a- person must demonstrate to perform as a registered migration agent under the Code, including:
(i) being of good character;
Code of Conduct for Migration Agents Page 2
Part 2 Standards of professional conduct
2.1D A registered migration agent who has ceased to act for a client in accordance with paragraph 2.1B (d), must, as soon as practicable, but in any case within 14 days, inform the Department that he or she is no longer acting for the client.
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2.3A A registered migration agent’s professionalism must be reflected in the making of adequate arrangements to avoid financial loss to a client.
(ii) if the agent’s employer, or the business in which he or she works, maintains a professional library that includes those materials — take responsibility for ensuring that he or she has access to the library.
Note 1 A comprehensive list of the materials mentioned in subparagraphs (a) (iii) and (iv) may be obtained from the Professional Library page of the Authority’s web site (http://www.themara.com.au).
Note 2 A registered migration agent must satisfy the requirements for continuing professional development set out in Schedule 1.
2.7 A registered migration agent who is asked by a client to give his or her opinion about the probability of a successful outcome for the client’s application must not hold out unsubstantiated or unjustified prospects of success when advising clients on applications under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations.
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2.9 While a registered migration agent cannot be responsible for misinformation provided by a client, a registered migration agent must not make statements in support of an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations, or encourage the making of statements, which he or she knows or believes to be misleading or inaccurate.
2.9A In communicating with, or otherwise providing information to, the Authority, a registered migration agent must not seek to mislead or deceive the Authority, whether directly or by withholding relevant information.
Note Advertising includes advertising on the Internet.
Note 1 Advertising includes advertising on the Internet.
Note 2 Clause 2.12, which relates to implying a relationship with the Department or the Authority, also applies to the registered migration agent’s advertising mentioned in clause 2.11.
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(c) if the client still wishes to lodge the application — must obtain written acknowledgment from the client of the advice given under paragraph (b).
Note Under section 306AC of the Act, the Minister may refer a registered migration agent to the Authority for disciplinary action if the agent has a high visa refusal rate in relation to a visa of a particular class.
2.19 Subject to a client’s instructions, a registered migration agent has a duty to provide sufficient relevant information to the Department to allow a full assessment of all the facts against the relevant criteria. For example, a registered migration agent must avoid the submission of applications under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations in a form that does not fully reflect the circumstances of the individual and prejudices the prospect of approval.
(b) tell the client the amount of each fee and charge; and
(c) if the agent is to pay an amount for the client — tell the client the date by which the amount must be given to the agent so that the interests of the client are not prejudiced; and
(d) give the client notice of each amount paid by the agent for the client.
2.21 A registered migration agent must not submit an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations without the specified accompanying documentation. For example, in a marriage case, threshold documentation would include a marriage certificate and evidence that the
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sponsor is an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen, without which assessment of the case could not proceed (unless the agent has a reasonable excuse or the client has requested the agent to act despite incomplete documentation).
2.22B A registered migration agent must notify the Authority in writing within 14 days of any changes to the registration details of the agent in relation to any of the following matters:
(a) the agent’s full name;
(b) any business names of the agent or the agent’s employer;
(c) the business address for the agent;
(d) the telephone number for contacting the agent;
(e) any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs 3V (a) to (da).
2.24 This Code is a responsive document that will change from time to time to meet the needs of clients and to ensure the delivery of relevant, up to date advice.
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Part 3 Obligations to clients
3.2A Once a registered migration agent has agreed to work for a client, but before commencing that work, the agent must:
(a) provide the client with a copy of Information on the Regulation of the Migration Advice Profession; and
Note Information on the Regulation of the Migration Advice Profession is a document produced by the Authority with information about the migration advice profession, the functions of the Authority, the legislation regulating the profession, what a client can reasonably expect from a registered migration agent, and complaint procedures.
3.5 If a registered migration agent changes his or her address, telephone number or any other details that are recorded on the Register of Migration Agents, the agent must give notice to the Department, the Authority, any review authority and all current clients of the agent:
(b) not later than 7 days after the change or changes if advance notice would be unreasonable in the circumstances.
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Part 4 Relations between registered migration agents
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Part 5 Fees and charges
(i) an estimate of fees in the form of charges for each hour or each service, and disbursements that the agent is likely to incur as part of the work; and
(ii) an estimate of the time likely to be taken in performing a service; and
(b) as soon as possible after receiving instructions, obtain written acceptance by the client, if possible, of the terms of the work to be done; and
(c) give the client written confirmation of the terms of the service to be rendered; and
5.4 A registered migration agent must advise clients of the method of payment of fees and charges, including Departmental fees and charges.
(a) the agent is not entitled to be paid a fee or other reward for giving immigration assistance to a client unless the agent gives the client a statement of services; and
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Part 6 Record keeping and management
Note On the completion or termination of services, all documents to which a client is entitled are to be dealt with in accordance with Part 10.
(b) paid for by, or on behalf of, the client;
such as passports, birth certificates, qualifications, photographs and other personal documents.
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Part 7 Financial duties
7.1A The words ‘clients’ account’ must be included in the name of the financial institution account mentioned in paragraph 7.1 (b).
7.1B If a registered migration agent is operating as an agent in a country other than Australia that does not allow, under its law, the use of a clients’ account as described in paragraph 7.1 (b):
(b) an invoice has been issued to the client for the services.
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Part 8 Duties of registered migration agents to employees
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Part 9 Complaints
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Part 10 Termination of services
10.1A For paragraph 10.1 (c), a written notice must state:
Note 1 Only registered migration agents who hold a current legal practising certificate issued by an Australian body authorised by law to issue it are able to claim a lien on any client documents.
Note 2 A document includes an application, nomination, sponsorship, statement, declaration, affidavit, certificate or certified copy. See Acts Interpretation Act 1901 s 25, Migration Regulations regulation 5.01
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Part 11 Client awareness of the Code