A registered migration agent in Australia typically charges between AUD 2,000 and AUD 8,000 in professional fees for a skilled visa, with partner visas around AUD 3,500 to 6,500, employer-sponsored visas AUD 4,000 to 9,000, student visas AUD 1,500 to 3,500, and tribunal appeals AUD 5,000 to 15,000. These are professional fees only — they sit on top of the government's visa application charge, which is separate and non-refundable. (Fee ranges reflect industry surveys current as of mid-2026 and vary with case complexity.)
That's the honest headline. Below, we answer the questions people most often ask before deciding whether to engage an agent.
Do I need a migration agent, or can I apply myself?
Legally, you can lodge any Australian visa yourself through ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. You are never required to use an agent. For a simple, low-risk application where your circumstances are straightforward, doing it yourself is a reasonable choice.
The case for professional help gets stronger as the stakes and complexity rise. Australian migration law changes frequently, the points system is competitive, and a single avoidable error can cost you a refusal — and the government charge is not refunded if you're refused. For a partner visa, that's over AUD 9,000 at stake. For skilled migration, the difference between a well-timed Expression of Interest at the right points score and a poorly judged one can be years.
A good rule of thumb: the more money, time, and risk riding on the outcome, the more a professional is worth it.
What does a migration agent actually do?
A registered agent assesses your eligibility honestly, identifies the right visa pathway for your situation, prepares and checks your application against current requirements, manages the evidence and documentation, communicates with the Department on your behalf, and keeps you compliant with deadlines and visa conditions. The value is not "filling in a form" — it's strategy, accuracy, and avoiding the mistakes that lead to refusals.
Migration agent vs immigration lawyer — what's the difference?
Both registered migration agents and immigration lawyers can give immigration assistance and lodge visa applications. The key practical difference: only a lawyer can represent you in court (for example, a Federal Court appeal). A registered migration agent can represent you at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), prepare and lodge your visa, and handle the vast majority of migration matters. For most visa applications and tribunal reviews, a registered agent is exactly who you need.
How do I check if a migration agent is registered with MARA?
This is the single most important check you can make, and it takes two minutes. Every legitimate migration agent in Australia must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and is given a MARA registration number (MARN). You can verify any agent for free on the official register at mara.gov.au — search their name or number and confirm the registration is current.
If someone offering migration help cannot give you a MARN, or it doesn't check out on the register, do not proceed. Using an unregistered person for immigration assistance is risky and, for the provider, illegal.
How do I avoid migration scams and fake agents?
A few honest warning signs to watch for:
A genuine agent will never guarantee you a visa. No one — not the best agent in the country — can promise an outcome, because the decision rests with the Department of Home Affairs, not the agent. Anyone who guarantees a result is a red flag.
Other warning signs include pressure to pay large amounts in cash with no written agreement, requests to lodge false or exaggerated documents, refusal to provide a MARN, and promises that sound too good to be true (such as "guaranteed PR" or "no English test needed"). A registered agent will always give you a written cost agreement before starting, and will be upfront that your honesty and your genuine circumstances are what the application rests on.
What should I expect from a first consultation?
A proper first consultation is an honest assessment, not a sales pitch. A good agent will look at your full situation — your age, qualifications, work experience, English, family, and goals — and tell you plainly which pathways are realistic, which are not, and what the genuine timeline and costs look like. You should walk out understanding your options clearly, even if the honest answer isn't the one you were hoping for.
At Nova Immigration, that's exactly the standard Sirat Teji (MARN 2217800) holds. The goal of every consultation is for you to leave genuinely informed and confident about your next step. Sirat will explain the fee structure personally and give you a clear, fixed-fee quote with no hidden charges.
This article is general information only and does not constitute migration advice. Your situation is unique — book a consultation for advice specific to you.