Skilled Migrant Professionals October 2014 | Page 25

to Australia
by Carol-Ann Lynch

Registered Migration
Agent (RMA) is a
fantastic job
that enables me to
combine my legal
training and personal
migration experience
to help others
achieve their
dream of migrating
to Australia.

Tip Two

Think laterally
If you can’t meet a particular visa requirement at the present time, then
you may be able to take steps that will enable you to meet a certain
requirement in the future. For example, you mignt need to achieve a
score of at least seven in each section of an IELTS (English test – reading,
writing, listening and speaking), but may have scored a six in the reading
section. A few sessions with an English tutor may be all that is required
to boost your score to seven in all sections of the test.
Thinking laterally can help you achieve your migration objectives.

Tip Three

Migrating to Australia without formal qualifications
Many people believe that migrating to Australia, as a skilled person,
is impossible without formal qualifications. This is a myth. There are
well-established pathways to permanent residence for people without
formal qualifications.
There are employer-nominated (sponsored) visa options that could
enable you to be nominated for a temporary or permanent residence
visa if you have work experience but no qualifications. An Australian
trade qualification or professional skills assessment can sometimes be
obtained through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL typically
involves a practical work place assessment for tradesmen and a paper-based assessment for other professionals.
Many of our clients have achieved permanent residence as a result
of RPL, which is achievable in many occupations and is definitely worth
investigating.

Carol-Ann P Lynch LLB MMIA,
Principal Registered
Migration Agent

Tip Four

How to choose and find a Migration Agent
You do not need to use a migration agent when lodging a visa application, but if you do decide to use a migration agent, please make sure
that you choose a good one! There are some very good agents out
there, but sadly, there are also some really bad ones.
Migration Agents in Australia must be registered with the Office of
the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and are required to
observe the Migration Agents’ Code of Conduct. MARA is linked to the
Department of Immigration and Border Protection. Migration Agents
stationed overseas do not need to be registered with MARA and do not
need to observe the Code of Conduct.
If an unregistered overseas agent gives you bad migration advice or
steals your money, then there is very little that MARA can do to help you.
Using a registered migration agent will help to protect your interests.
The MARA website provides valuable advice on choosing an agent,
thoroughly explains what you should expect from your agent, and gives
you an idea of how much you should expect to pay an agent for helping with your visa application. The MARA website is an essential read
for anyone thinking about using a migration agent: www.mara.gov.au.

October 2014 | www.smpmagazine.com.au

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