- The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has published guidance on who is legally allowed to offer immigration assistance to visa applicants
- The guidance covers what counts as immigration assistance, including preparing documents, giving advice, and representing applicants before courts
- Only three categories of persons are recognised under Australian law as authorised to provide foreigners this kind of help
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs has released official guidance clarifying who can legally assist foreigners with their visa applications, warning that only certain people are permitted to provide this kind of help.
According to the department, any support that involves using knowledge or experience of migration procedures to assist someone with a visa matter counts as immigration assistance.
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This includes preparing or helping to prepare a visa application or related document, advising an applicant about a visa application or any visa matter, and representing or preparing someone for proceedings before a court or review authority in connection with a visa matter.
Australia: Who can legally provide immigration assistance
The Department of Home Affairs identified three categories of persons that applicants may appoint to give them immigration assistance:
1. A registered migration agent.
2. A legal practitioner.
3. An exempt person.
No one outside these three categories is authorised to provide immigration assistance under Australian law.
Applicants who accept help from unqualified individuals risk having their applications handled incorrectly, with potential consequences for their visa outcome.
Australian visa: Why the guidance matters
The warning is particularly relevant for the large number of people navigating Australia’s visa system from abroad, where informal or unlicensed advisers sometimes offer help for a fee.
The guidance makes clear that appointing someone who does not fall within the approved categories is not a legally recognised form of assistance, regardless of the agreement between the applicant and that person.
In a related story, Legit.ng reported that Australia had introduced a new ballot system for foreigners seeking work and holiday visas.
Australia’s age limit for Work Holiday visa
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Australia had set an age limit for Work Holiday visa applications.
The visa is designed for young people who want to spend an extended period in Australia, combining leisure with work opportunities to help cover the cost of their stay.
It is specifically classed as the “first” Working Holiday visa, meaning it targets first-time applicants under this programme.
Source: Legit.ng