MARN required
Every practising agent has a Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN). Verifiable on the MARA public register.
MARA Registered · Immigration Lawyer Option · What to Ask
How do you choose the right migration agent?
Registered migration agents and immigration lawyers are both options. Understanding the difference, verifying credentials, and asking the right questions saves time and money. Here is a practical framework.
MARA registered agent
What it means.
Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) are regulated by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Code of Conduct
RMAs bound by a published Code of Conduct. Complaints handled through the regulator.
Continuing Professional Development
RMAs complete CPD annually to maintain registration. Keeps knowledge current.
Our team
Our agents include Pragya Gautam (MARN 1465938), Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159), Brian Park (MARN 0960412), Neha Sharma (MARN 2518998), and Gurjeev Bhalla (MARN 2519028).
Agent vs lawyer
When each fits.
Both can assist with migration matters. Different strengths apply.
Registered Migration AgentsSpecialist in migration law and processes. Strong for routine to complex visa preparation and ART appeals.
Immigration LawyersAdmitted legal practitioners who specialise in migration. Essential for Federal Circuit Court matters, character cases, and complex cancellations.
Both in practiceMany matters benefit from both. Our team includes Prateek Maan, Immigration Lawyer admitted in VIC and QLD, for judicial review and complex legal matters.
Who is principalSourabh Aggarwal is our Principal Consultant and RMA (MARN 1462159), leading skilled and employer sponsored matters.
Questions to ask
Four before engaging.
Every agent engagement should start with clear answers to these questions.
What is your MARN?
Verify on the MARA register. Active, unblemished registration is the baseline.
What is the fee structure?
Fixed fees, hourly rates, staged payments. Understand before committing. Written agreement mandatory.
What is your experience with my visa type?
Skilled vs partner vs employer sponsored vs ART: each is a different skill. Match experience to matter.
Who will actually work on my case?
Partner or senior agent vs junior agent. Understand who handles your matter day-to-day.
Every consultation with a MARA-registered agent is subject to a written agreement.
The Code of Conduct requires written agreements for migration services. If an agent is not proposing a written agreement, verify their registration status carefully. Formal agreements protect both parties and set expectations clearly.
Common questions
The questions we hear most.
For a consultation with our team, book with Sourabh Aggarwal or Pragya Gautam.
Can friends or family advise me on migration?
They can share experience but cannot provide migration assistance for a fee unless registered. Community advice often inaccurate for specific situations.
What if my agent is overseas?
Only MARA-registered agents can provide Australian migration assistance for fee. Overseas agents sometimes not registered.
How much should I pay?
Varies significantly by matter complexity. Routine applications AUD 2,000-5,000. Complex ART or character matters often AUD 5,000-15,000+.
Can I change agents mid-case?
Yes. New engagement replaces old. Some fees may be retained by previous agent for work done.
Some information on this page has been sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and has been interpreted and approved by Principal Migration Agent Sourabh Aggarwal (MARN 1462159). Last reviewed: May 2026.