"Changing Together" report
This survey relates to the Action Plan of proposals for reform of the migration advice profession, published in June 2009 and entitled "Changing Together: Perceptions and proposals for reform from stakeholders in the migration advice community".
1. Which State or Territory do you live in? *








2. What is your gender? *

3. How many years have you been a Registered Migration Agent? *




4. How many years have you been a member of the Migration Institute of Australia *




5. How did you enter the migration advice profession? *




6. Are you an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law? *

7. What is your level of English for speaking and listening? *


8. What is your level of English for reading and writing? *


9. Have you received commissions from Australian education and training providers in the previous 12 months? *

QUESTION: How important are the following proposals to raise the education and training standards of new and existing Registered Migration Agents (RMAs)?
10. Increase standards of English language competency of new RMAs
11. Hold orientations for Graduate Certificate students to set expectations about the profession
12. Require graduate RMAs to complete a practical work experience period
13. Assess graduate RMAs upon completion of a practical work experience period
14. Require current RMAs to satisfy bridging requirements for new higher standards (knowledge exam and English language competency)
15. Require current RMAs to complete an assessable short course (instead of knowledge exam)
16. Review current CPD offerings
17. Improve the CPD scheme
QUESTION: How important are the following proposals to introduce a system of tiered registration? (Refer to table on page 22 of report for more information)
18. Introduce a new category of entry level registration for newly graduated RMAs
19. Change registration for standard RMAs eg disallow Tribunal review representation
20. Add top level registration to create a new category of Registered Migration Specialist
21. Add top level registration to recognise a Registered Legal Migration Specialist
22. Prohibit RMAs from providing service for a fee to refugees
23. Publish more information about RMAs on the MARA website eg tertiary qualifications
QUESTION: How important are the following proposals to overcome confusion about immigration legislation and migration agents.
24. End "authorised recipients" who are not named within a visa application
25. Introduce regulation of education agents
26. Ensure proper regulation of vocational training providers
27. Require unregistered overseas agents to lodge applications through a DIAC e-portal or an Australian RMA
28. Prevent RMAs who are not Australian legal practitioners from representing clients at court proceedings
29. Amend definition of "migration advice" within the Migration Act
QUESTION: How important are the following proposals for communication about the migration advice profession?
30. Undertake a recruitment campaign to attract a new generation of RMAs
31. Publish a Journal of Professional Migration Advice
32. Publish a short guide for clients on the Code of Conduct
33. Educate the public on "Fair Fees"
34. Educate Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Advisors on the role and function of RMAs
35. Develop guidelines on "What is good migration advice?"
QUESTION: How important are the following proposals to support a more representative professional body for RMAs?
36. Encourage MIA membership as part of registration
37. Provide direct statutory recognition of the profession by naming MIA as the representative body
38. Provide greater service to MIA members nationally
39. Communicate with stakeholders more
40. Increase advocacy and lobbying for RMAs interests
41. What priorities should the Office of the MARA focus on? (Please rank in order of importance)
Increase English language standards of new RMAs
Require current RMAs to satisfy bridging requirements to new higher standards (knowledge exam and English competency)
Form a working group to progress the tiered registration model
Prohibit RMAs from providing service for a fee to refugees
Provide more information about RMAs on the MARA website eg tertiary qualifications
Educate the public on fair fees and renew regulation of RMA fees
42. What priorities should the Immigration Department and other State and Federal departments focus on? (Please rank in order of importance)
End "authorised recipients" who are not named within a visa application
Regulate education agents
Ensure proper regulation of vocational training providers
Require unregistered overseas agents to lodge applications either through a DIAC e-portal or an RMA
Prevent RMAs who are not Australian legal practitioners from representing clients in court
Amend definition of "migration advice" within the Migration Act
Increase investigation and prosecution of illegal practice in Australia
Establish an independent Migration Consumer Complaints Commission
Increase funding of the non-commercial sector
43. What priorities should the Migration Institute of Australia focus on? (Please rank in order of importance)
Hold orientations for new Graduate Certificate students
Create a practical work experience period for newly graduated RMAs
Review CPD offerings
Recruit a new generation of RMAs
Educate Parliamentarians and Parliamentary Advisors about the role and function of RMAs
Publish a Journal of Professional Migration Advice
Develop guidelines on "What constitutes good migration advice"
44. Any other comments?
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