MARA-Registered Migration Agents Australia

MARA-Registered Migration Agents Australia — Your Trusted Visa Partners

Every Migration Expert agent is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), giving you confidence that your visa application is in qualified, regulated hands.

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MARA-Registered | Australian Owned & Operated | 24+ Years Experience | Thousands of Successful Visas

What is MARA?

MARA stands for the Migration Agents Registration Authority — the Australian government body that regulates who can provide immigration assistance in Australia. Now administered by the Office of the MARA (OMARA), this authority ensures that every registered migration agent meets strict professional standards before they can advise on visa matters.

To become a MARA-registered agent, a person must complete a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. This rigorous qualification ensures agents have a thorough understanding of Australia’s complex migration legislation and policies. Agents must also meet ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements each year to maintain their registration.

The migration agents registration authority Australia oversees means that you can verify any agent’s registration status on the official MARA register at any time. This transparency gives you peace of mind when choosing a professional to handle your work visa or any other visa application. At Migration Expert, every one of our agents is verified and current on the register.

Why Choose a MARA-Registered Migration Agent?

Working with a MARA-registered migration agent gives you important protections that you simply do not get with an unregistered adviser. Here are five key reasons to choose a registered agent:

Qualified

Every MARA-registered agent must pass rigorous migration law qualifications, including a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. This ensures they have the knowledge to navigate complex visa requirements on your behalf.

Regulated

Registered agents are subject to a strict Code of Conduct enforced by OMARA. This Code sets clear standards for professional behaviour, communication, and client care.

Insured

MARA-registered agents are required to hold professional indemnity insurance. This protects you financially if something goes wrong during the handling of your case.

Accountable

MARA has the power to investigate complaints and can deregister agents for misconduct. This accountability means agents have a strong incentive to maintain high professional standards.

Consumer Protection

If something goes wrong, you have access to a formal complaints process through OMARA. This gives you a clear path to resolution that simply does not exist with unregistered advisers.

By contrast, using an unregistered migration agent puts you at significant risk. Unregistered advisers have no formal qualifications, no oversight, no insurance, and no accountability. If they make mistakes with your application, you have no recourse and could face visa refusal, financial loss, or even a ban on future applications.

Our Visa Services

Migration Expert’s MARA-registered agents assist with a comprehensive range of Australian visa applications. Whatever your migration goal, we have the expertise to guide you through the process with professional visa services.

Work Visas (Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482, 494)

For skilled workers, employer-sponsored roles, and regional opportunities. Whether you are applying through the points-based system or via employer nomination, our agents assess your eligibility and manage every aspect of your application. Explore work visa options →

Employer Sponsorship

We help Australian businesses sponsor overseas workers and assist sponsored employees through the entire visa process. From Standard Business Sponsorship to nomination and visa lodgement, we handle every step. Learn about employer sponsorship →

Partner & Family Visas

Reunite with your partner, spouse, parents, or children in Australia. We guide you through relationship evidence requirements, application strategy, and provide ongoing support through the provisional period. Partner visas → | Family visas →

Business & Investor Visas

For entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors looking to establish or expand business activities in Australia. We assist with Subclass 188, 888, and related business visa pathways. Explore business visas →

Student Visas

For international students planning to study at Australian educational institutions. We help with Student Visa (Subclass 500) applications and advise on pathways from study to work or permanent residency. Explore student visas →

Permanent Residency & PR Pathways

Make Australia your permanent home. We advise on the best pathway to permanent residency based on your qualifications, experience, and circumstances — and manage your application from start to finish. Explore PR pathways →

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How We Help You

Step 1: Initial Visa Consultation

We discuss your situation, goals, and migration history. You receive an honest assessment of your options — no obligation, no pressure.

Step 2: Eligibility Assessment

We evaluate your qualifications, work experience, and personal circumstances against current visa requirements. We advise on the strongest pathway and any preparation needed, such as a skills assessment or English language test.

Step 3: Application Preparation & Lodgement

We prepare your complete application — gathering documents, drafting statements, checking every detail — and lodge it with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.

Step 4: Ongoing Support Until Decision

We manage all communication with the Department, respond to requests for additional information, and keep you informed at every stage until you receive your visa decision.

Meet Our Senior Migration Team

At Migration Expert, your case is handled by qualified professionals who are passionate about helping people achieve their migration goals.

Rashmika Gunasekera — Senior Registered Migration Agent

MARA Registration Number: 2318185

Rashmika is a Senior Registered Migration Agent with a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law from Victoria University and dual degrees in Law and Commerce from Deakin University. Her deep understanding of Australian migration legislation combined with her meticulous attention to detail ensures every application she handles is thoroughly prepared and strategically positioned for the best possible outcome.

Rashmika has helped hundreds of individuals and families achieve their Australian visa goals. She is known for her clear communication, honest assessments, and genuine dedication to her clients’ success. Whether you are applying for a skilled visa, partner visa, or employer sponsorship, Rashmika brings the expertise and care that makes the difference.

Book a Consultation with Rashmika

How to Verify a MARA Agent

Verifying that your migration agent is MARA-registered is simple and should be done before you engage any professional for visa assistance. Follow these steps:

  1. Visit the official register — Go to the Office of the MARA website and access the register of migration agents.
  2. Search by name or number — Enter the agent’s name or their MARA registration number to find their record.
  3. Check registration status — Confirm their status shows “Current” — this means they are actively registered and authorised to provide migration advice.
  4. Confirm business details — Verify that their registered business details match the agency they claim to represent.

All Migration Expert agents are verified on the official register. You can check Rashmika Gunasekera’s registration (MARA #2318185) at any time to confirm her current status.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does MARA stand for?

MARA stands for the Migration Agents Registration Authority. It is the Australian government body responsible for regulating migration agents. Now administered by the Office of the MARA (OMARA), it ensures all registered agents meet strict professional and ethical standards to protect consumers seeking immigration assistance.

How do I check if a migration agent is MARA registered?

Visit the official OMARA register on the Australian Government website. You can search by the agent’s name or registration number. If their status shows “Current,” they are authorised to provide migration advice. If you cannot find them on the register, they are not registered and should not be providing immigration assistance.

Can an unregistered person help with my visa application?

Using an unregistered migration adviser is risky. They have no formal qualifications in migration law, no professional indemnity insurance, and no accountability to a regulatory body. If they make errors with your application, you have no formal complaints process and may face visa refusal, financial loss, or future application bans. Always use a MARA-registered agent.

What qualifications do MARA-registered agents have?

All MARA-registered agents must hold a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. They must also meet ongoing Continuing Professional Development requirements each year and maintain professional indemnity insurance. These requirements ensure agents stay current with frequent changes to migration law.

How much does a MARA-registered migration agent charge?

Fees vary depending on the visa type and the complexity of your case. Migration Expert offers a initial consultation (from A$139) to assess your situation and provide a clear fee quote before you commit to anything. Visit our visa fees page for general guidance on costs.

What is the difference between a migration agent and an immigration lawyer?

Both migration agents and immigration lawyers can provide migration advice in Australia, provided they are MARA-registered. The key difference is that lawyers can also represent you in Federal Court proceedings, while agents cannot. For most standard visa applications, a specialist migration agent is the right choice. Migration Expert agents focus exclusively on migration law.

Find a MARA Agent Near You

Migration Expert serves clients across every major Australian city and internationally via phone and video consultations. Find a MARA-registered migration agent in your city:

Can’t find your city? We consult with clients across Australia and internationally via phone and video call.

Book a Visa Consultation

Take the first step towards your Australian visa. Whether you need help with a work visa, partner visa, employer sponsorship, or permanent residency, our MARA-registered migration agents are ready to assess your situation and guide you through the process with expert care.

With over 24 years of experience and thousands of successful visa outcomes, Migration Expert gives you the confidence that your application is in the best possible hands. Every consultation is obligation-free — we believe you deserve honest, professional advice before you commit to anything.

Book a Visa Consultation

Or call us on 1300 853 877

MARA-Registered | Australian Owned | Consultations from A$139



Meet Our Senior Migration Team

Rashmika Gunasekera

Registered Migration Agent
Migration agent registration number: 2318185

Rashmika Gunasekera stands out as a highly proficient and dedicated Senior Migration Consultant, bolstered by a rich educational background and specialised expertise in the field of migration. After graduating from Deakin University with dual degrees in Law and Commerce, Rashmika has laid a strong academic foundation that perfectly marries the intricate worlds of legal practices and business principles. This unique combination of qualifications enables her to navigate the complexities of migration law with a sharp analytical mind and a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aspects that often intersect with migration matters.

Further enhancing her specialisation in migration, Rashmika completed a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law from Victoria University. This additional layer of focused education has equipped her with the detailed knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a migration expert. With a year of experience working as a Senior Migration Consultant, Rashmika has already established herself as a specialist in various visa categories. Her role involves a deep commitment to assisting clients through the often convoluted and stressful process of obtaining different types of visas, providing not just legal advice but also empathetic support.

Rashmika’s approach to her work is characterised by meticulous attention to detail, proactive communication, and a steadfast commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients. Her background in law and commerce, combined with her specialised knowledge in migration law, positions her as an invaluable asset to those seeking to navigate the challenges of migration. Rashmika’s dedication to her clients is evident in her ability to offer comprehensive and personalised advice, ensuring that each client’s journey towards securing their visa is as smooth and successful as possible.

Book a consultation with Rasmika

 

 

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