Source: http://lexlegal.com.au/migration/index.php?id=97&L=1
Timestamp: 2018-03-19 02:51:27
Document Index: 702749211

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 4', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 10', 'art 11']

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.
1.1 This Code of Conduct (the Code) is intended to regulate the conduct ofregistered migration agents.
1.2 The Migration Agents Registration Authority (the Authority) is responsible for
administering the Code.
1.12 However, the Code imposes on a registered migration agent the overriding
duty to act at all times in the lawful interests of the agent?s client. Any conduct
falling short of that requirement may make the agent liable to cancellation of
(b) the agent must do everything practicable to vary the contract to ensure that
(a) the agent has had previous dealings with the person, or intends to assist the person, in the agent?s capacity as a marriage celebrant;
(d) cease to deal with the client in the agent?s capacity as registered migration agent.
2.1C Part 10 of the Code then applies as if the client had terminated the registered migration agent?s instructions.
2.3 A registered migration agent?s professionalism must be reflected in a sound working knowledge of the Migration Act and Migration Regulations, and other legislation relating to migration procedure, and a capacity to provide accurate and timely advice.
2.3A A registered migration agent?s professionalism must be reflected in the making of adequate arrangements to avoid financial loss to a client, including the holding of professional indemnity insurance mentioned in the regulation 6B for the period of the migration agent's registration.
2.4 A registered migration agent must have due regard to a client?s dependence on the agent?s knowledge and experience.
(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 (www.mara.gov.au).
2.6 To the extent that a registered migration agent must take account of objective criteria to make an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations, he or she must be frank and candid about the prospects of success when assessing a client?s request for assistance in preparing a case or making an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations.
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:
(a) within a reasonable time after agreeing to represent a client, confirm the client?s instructions in writing to the client; and
(b) act in accordance with the client?s instructions; and
(d) within a reasonable time after the case or application is decided, tell the client in writing of the outcome of the client?s case or application.
(a) the agent?s registration as a registered migration agent; or
(a) include in the advertisement the words ?Migration Agents Registration Number? or ?MARN?, followed by the agent?s individual registration number; and
(b) if the agent is advertising in a language other than English ? include in the advertisement words in that other language equivalent to ?Migration Agents Registration Number? or ?MARN?, followed by the agent?s individual registration number.
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.
2.14 A registered migration agent must not portray registration as involving a special in Australia or overseas;
(b) must advise the client in writing that, in the agent?s opinion, the application is vexatious or grossly unfounded; and
2.18 A registered migration agent must act in a timely manner if the client has provided all the necessary information and documentation in time for statutory deadlines. For example, in most circumstances an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations must be submitted before a person?s visa ceases to be in effect.
2.19 Subject to a client?s instructions, a registered migration agent has a duty to provide sufficient relevant information to the Department or a review authority 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. written notice of each amount paid by the agent for the client.
(b) followed by the words ?Migration Agent?s Registration Number?;
(c) followed by the agent?s registration number.
(i) the agent?s full name;
(ii) any business names of the agent or the agent?s employer;
3.2 A registered migration agent must not disclose, or allow to be disclosed, confidential information about a client or a client?s business without the client?s written consent, unless required by law.
Part 4: Relations between registered migration agents
4.3 A registered migration agent must not encourage another agent?s client to use the first agent?s services, for example by denigrating other agents or offering services that the first agent cannot, or does not intend to, provide.
4.4 A registered migration agent must not take over work from another registered migration agent unless he or she receives from the client a copy of written notice by the client to the other agent that the other agent?s services are no longer needed.
Part 6: Record keeping and management
(a) a copy of each client?s application; and
(b) when the documents are given to the client or dealt with in accordance with the client?s written instructions.
6.4 A registered migration agent must act on the basis that the agent?s electronic communications are part of the agent?s records and documents.
Part 7: Financial duties
(a) the agent?s operating expenses (the operating account); and
(b) money paid by clients to the agent for fees and disbursements (the clients? account).
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):
7.2 A registered migration agent must hold, in the clients? account, an amount of money paid by a client for an agreed block of work until:
7.3 The registered migration agent may, at any time, withdraw money from the clients? account for disbursements that are required to be paid to the Department, or any other agency, for the client.
7.4 A registered migration agent must keep records of the clients? account, including:
(a) the date and amount of each deposit made to the clients? account, including an indication of the purpose of the deposit and the client on whose behalf the deposit is made; and
(a) records of the clients? account; and
7.6 If a registered migration agent provides a service to a client on the basis of a conditional refund policy, a ?no win, no fee? policy or an undertaking to similar effect:
(i) keeping funds in the clients? account; or
7.7 Nothing in clause 7.1, 7.1A, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 or 7.6 affects the duty of a registered migration agent, who is also a legal practitioner and who acts in that capacity, to deal with clients? funds in accordance with the relevant law relating to legal practitioners.
Part 8: Duties of registered migration agents to employees
(a) displaying the Code prominently in the agent?s office;
9.1 A registered migration agent must respond properly to a complaint by a person (whether or not the person is a client) about the work or services carried out by the agent or the agent?s employee.
(a) the work or services carried out by the agent or the agent?s employees; or
(b) any other matter relating to the agent?s compliance with this Code ? the agent must respond properly to the Authority, within a reasonable time specified by the Authority when it gives the details to the agent.
Part 10: Termination of services
(b) the client terminates the agent?s instructions; or
(a) update the client?s file to reflect the current status of each case or application undertaken by the agent for the client; and
Part 11: Client awareness of the Code
(i) at the agent?s place of business; and
11.4 A registered migration agent who has an Internet web site must provide a link to the copy of the Code that is displayed on the Authority?s web site.