Embedded Files
In Australia, not everyone who offers migration help is a lawyer — and not every lawyer is a migration expert. This page explains the key differences between Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents, so students and migrants can make informed choices. Whether you're preparing a visa application, facing a refusal, or considering a review, understanding who can legally advise and represent you is essential.
🔹 Need to verify someone’s credentials?
Check the Queensland Law Society Directory for practising lawyers
Search the OMARA Register for registered migration agents
SkilledAU provides general guidance only — we do not offer migration advice or legal representation.
Legal Profession Regulators (Official Lawyer Directories)
Legal Profession Regulators (Official Lawyer Directories)
Every state has its own regulator with a public lawyer directory
Here are the official lawyer‑verification links for every state and territory in Australia, written cleanly so you can paste them straight into your SkilledAU page.
🟦 Official Lawyer Directories for Immigration Work (State & Territory Regulators)
These links go directly to the government‑recognised legal profession registers where you can verify practising lawyers, including those who specialise in immigration law.
Queensland
Queensland
Queensland Law Society – Find a Solicitor
New South Wales
NSW Law Society – Find a Lawyer
Victoria
Victoria
Victorian Legal Services Board – Register Search
South Australia
South Australia
Law Society of South Australia – Find a Lawyer
Western Australia
Law Society of Western Australia – Directory
Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Law Society – Find a Lawyer
Northern Territory
Northern Territory
Law Society Northern Territory – Directory
Tasmania
Tasmania
Migration Agents (Non‑lawyers) – OMARA Register
Migration Agents (Non‑lawyers) – OMARA Register
f you want to find registered migration agents, the official directory is:
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) : https://www.mara.gov.au
You can search by:
Name
Location
Registration number
Specialisation
This is the only government‑recognised register for migration agents.
Immigration Lawyers (Specialist Groups)
Immigration Lawyers (Specialist Groups)
Some lawyers are part of specialist associations:
Migration Law Committee – Law Council of Australia
Migration Law Committee – Law Council of Australia
They don’t have a public directory, but members are practising immigration lawyers.
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) – Refugee Rights Subcommittee
Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) – Refugee Rights Subcommittee
Some immigration lawyers are listed here, especially those working in refugee law.
University Legal Clinics (Free or Low‑Cost Help)
University Legal Clinics (Free or Low‑Cost Help)
These are not directories, but they offer real legal assistance:
UQ Pro Bono Centre
Griffith Law School Clinics
QUT Law Clinics
ANU Migration Law Clinic
UNSW Kingsford Legal Centre
Refugee Legal (Victoria)
RAILS (Refugee and Immigration Legal Service – QLD)
These clinics often have immigration lawyers supervising students.
🟦 Immigration Lawyer vs Migration Agent — What’s the Difference?
🟦 Immigration Lawyer vs Migration Agent — What’s the Difference?
1. Immigration Lawyer
1. Immigration Lawyer
A lawyer is a legally qualified professional who has completed a law degree and holds a current practising certificate issued by a state or territory legal authority.
What lawyers can do
What lawyers can do
Provide legal advice on migration law
Represent clients in courts (Federal Circuit & Family Court, Federal Court)
Represent clients in tribunals (ART, formerly AAT)
Interpret legislation, case law, and complex legal issues
Handle matters involving judicial review, fraud allegations, character issues, and complex refusals
Give advice on related legal issues (employment, family, criminal, administrative law)
Regulator
Regulator
State/Territory Legal Services Boards
Law Societies
Legal Profession Uniform Law (where applicable)
Who should choose a lawyer
Who should choose a lawyer
People with:
Complex refusals
Character issues
Fraud or PIC 4020 concerns
Court appeals
High‑risk cases
2. Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
2. Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
A migration agent is not a lawyer (unless they hold both qualifications).
They are trained specifically in migration procedures and must be registered with OMARA.
What migration agents can do
What migration agents can do
Provide migration assistance
Prepare visa applications
Prepare ART submissions (but cannot appear as legal representatives)
Communicate with the Department on your behalf
Explain visa requirements and processes
Assist with evidence preparation
What migration agents cannot do
What migration agents cannot do
They cannot give legal advice outside migration law
They cannot represent clients in court
They cannot charge for services unless registered with OMARA
They cannot act as a lawyer unless they hold a practising certificate
Regulator
Regulator
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)
Who should choose a migration agent
Who should choose a migration agent
People with:
Straightforward visa applications
Standard refusals
General migration guidance
Help preparing documents
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse