How to Verify a Migration Agent Is MARA Registered (Australia 2026)
Only OMARA-registered migration agents and Australian lawyers can legally charge for migration assistance in Australia. To verify an agent, ask for their MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number) and search the OMARA register at portal.mara.gov.au, or use the free immi.directory verification tool. A valid registration shows as “Registered” with a current registration date; if they are not listed or their registration has lapsed, they cannot legally charge you.
Who Can Legally Provide Migration Assistance in Australia?
In Australia, only two types of professionals can legally charge for migration assistance:
- OMARA-registered migration agents (RMAs) — regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority
- Australian lawyers — regulated by their state or territory law society (they are exempt from OMARA registration)
Anyone else — family members, travel agents, accountants, or people calling themselves “visa specialists” or “migration advisors” — cannot legally charge you for migration help. Under section 281 of the Migration Act 1958, an unregistered person who asks for or receives a fee for immigration assistance commits a criminal offence punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment.
What Is a MARN?
Every registered migration agent has a unique MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number). It is the agent's official identifier on the OMARA register and appears on:
- Business cards
- Email signatures
- Letterhead and official correspondence
- The agent's website
- Service agreements and invoices
If an agent cannot provide a MARN, they are not registered and you should not engage them.
Step 1 — Ask for the Agent's MARN
Ask your migration agent directly: “What is your MARN?” A legitimate agent will provide it immediately — it is not confidential. If they hesitate, cannot provide it, or give you a vague answer, treat that as a serious red flag.
Step 2 — Search the OMARA Register
Go to portal.mara.gov.au/search-the-register-of-migration-agents/. Enter either:
- The agent's MARN, or
- The agent's full legal name
The register is completely free and you do not need to create an account.
Step 3 — Use the immi.directory Verification Tool
You can also use our verification tool to search both the OMARA (Australia) and CICC (Canada) registers in one place. Visit the immi.directory verification tool and enter the agent's name. We sync the official registers weekly.
Understanding the Registration Status
When you find the agent in the OMARA register, check their registration status:
- ✓ Registered
- The agent is currently registered and authorised to provide migration assistance for a fee. Their registration is current and in good standing.
- ✗ Expired or Cancelled
- The agent's registration has ended. They cannot legally charge you. Do not engage them.
- ? No result or not listed
- The agent does not appear on the register. They are not registered and cannot legally charge you for migration assistance.
What If They Are Not Registered?
If the agent is not on the register, or their registration has expired:
- Stop all contact immediately. Do not pay them.
- If you have already paid them, request your documents back in writing and ask for a full refund of all fees.
-
Report them to:
- OMARA (if they claimed to be a migration agent): portal.mara.gov.au/lodging-a-complaint
- Australian Border Force (ABF): abf.gov.au
- Local police
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a MARN number?
The MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number) is the unique identifier assigned to every registered migration agent by OMARA. It appears on all correspondence and must be displayed on the agent's business materials.
Can an Australian lawyer give migration advice without being on the OMARA register?
Yes. Lawyers admitted in any Australian state or territory may give migration advice without OMARA registration. They are regulated by their relevant state law society instead.
Is checking the OMARA register free?
Yes — it is free to search at portal.mara.gov.au or via immi.directory. No account is required.
What does “Registered” mean on the OMARA register?
The agent is currently authorised to provide migration assistance for a fee, and their registration is current and in good standing.
My agent's OMARA registration has expired — can they still help me?
No. An expired registration means they cannot legally charge for migration assistance. If they continue to do so, report them to OMARA or the Australian Border Force.