Alan Collett

If you want the comfort of knowing you can complain to a third party if your application is not dealt with professionally, that your agent is required to maintain techical competence, and is required to adhere to a Code of Conduct then I would recommend you only use a migration agent that is registered by the relevant authority in Australia.

Have a look on their website:
www.themara.com.au

Click on Register of Agents/Search The Register, click the drill down on Find an Agent Near You, and search for agents by country (type "United Kingdom" into the search box).

So far as I know at least 3 of the firms mentioned above employ no registered migration agents.

Best regards.

ayanem

Better to use an agent who's been recommended and not need to complain.
(Should stand you in good stead, Alan. )

WBB

what type of visa are you applying for?

Handyandy180

We are applying for skilled independant. I have received a reply from TRA. Accepting that i am a Carpenter.
Although that side of it was done by myself i am now wondering whether we need a migration agent.
Regards and good luck Chris

bored brit

the tra was the hard bit i thought.if you can do that yourself then the application for the visa is a lot easier. i would recommend you do it yourself and spend the money when you get to oz

WBB

sounds about right, from what i have heard the TRA is much trickier than the main app, put your money aside for a break in the summer.

pockygoes

We used Ian Harrop & they were fantastic, they were recommended by someone we knew that had got in. They are registered agents & will offer free advice on whether they think you will get in. If they take you on & you do not get in they will refund your fees - this is of course on the condition that you have told them all!!

We applied for independent skills visa & had the visa 6 weeks later. They are really helpful & if you have any questions they are always there at the end of the phone or contactable by email - very prompt too.

They are based in Burford.

good luck

pockygoes

peppi

HOW MUCH DO MIGRATION AGENTS COST.....!I knew it was a few hundred..but over a 1000 JEEESUS...........!

canary

We used Southern Cross Alliance in Bondi-very helpful all the way! Our visa took about 9 months.-skilled independant.
www.southerncrossalliance.com

Good Luck!

Handyandy180

Are you serious From start to finish 6 weeks????? What about all the 20 month waiting?

lynsie

Hi

We first applied in July 03 for a sponse visa, went down the normal channel ie medicals,\ police checks etc for my husband and son. After christmas we were advised by our agent that my birth certificate and passport stating that I was born in Australia wasnt enough evidence of my citizenship. Applied for a citizenship certificate which was £75 and we are still waiting. I contacted my agent on Monday to see if there was any news, but what a surpise she hadnt heard anything. She told me that the embassy are being very strict at the minute and very busy. She also said one of her other clients who is Australian has to go for a medical.

Can anybody help me out on this one never heard this before.

Cheers

Amazulu

With hindsight, I could have done it myself. But when I started (& before I found this site) the TRA part looked so daunting that I decided to use an agent.

I used Mark Webster of www.hwmigration.com based in Sydney & am very pleased with his service & costs.

pockygoes

Yep - 6 weeks - the agent reckons that it was coming to the end of the qutoa year & they were just picking any straight forward cases out of their trays & getting them issued - in order to meet their target - just to make a change - luck was on our side.

good luck

WBB

never heard that one either, are you sure?