Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)
The Office of the MARA is attached to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and administers the functions of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, as set out in s316 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act).
The Office commenced operations on 1 July 2009 and its key objectives are to ensure that:
- All complaints about the services of registered, or formerly registered migration agents are appropriately addressed;
- Only suitable persons are registered as migration agents, and unsuitable persons are refused registration or re-registration;
- Registered agents maintain appropriate knowledge to enable them to provide accurate advice to consumers;
- The Office of the MARA works collaboratively with the department and other bodies such as prosecuting or regulatory authorities to address the activities of agents outside its mandate; AND
- Consumers understand their rights and agents understand their obligations under the regulatory framework.
Your agent must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (Office of the MARA), which ensures that only suitable persons are registered to provide immigration assistance. To check if a person is registered, visit the website www.mara.gov.au
Agents registered with The Office of the MARA operate under a strict Code of Conduct. Click here to view the Code of Conduct
The Office of the MARA also offers a Consumer Guide that sets out your rights, tips on using an agent and the profession, the functions of the Authority, the legislation regulating the profession, what a client can expect from a migration agent and complaint procedures.
Registered to provide Australian Immigration Advice
Our Australian migration casework is undertaken by in-house registered MARA agents both based in United Kingdom and Australia, which authorises them to provide Australian visa and immigration advice to potential migrants and businesses. Thames Migration is one of only few registered Migration Agents based in London.
See below our registered agents based in London, UK and Melbourne, Australia.
| MARA registered agents | |
| Agent name | MARA Registration Number |
| Hannibal Khoury | 0426562 |
Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)
The Migration Institute of Australia was established in 1992 and is the peak membership organisation representing Australian Registered Migration Agents.
It is represented in all States and Territories in Australia and has an overseas Chapter based in London. Its membership comprises some of Australia’s most eminent registered migration agents and migration lawyers both in Australia and internationally.
The Migration Institute of Australia is a not-for-profit, governed by a Board of Directors and operates under a Constitution and strict Corporate Governance Board Charter.
The MIA is a member of Professions Australia. Similar members of Professions Australia include the Australian Dental Association, CPA Australia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Engineers Australia and the Institute of Public Accountants. In order to belong to Professions Australia members must abide by strict accreditation requirements and ethical standards and code of conduct.
See below for details for Mr Hannibal Khoury our MIA Institute member and registered migration agent.
| Member of Migration Institute of Australia (MMIA) | |
| Agent name | Membership Number |
| Hannibal Khoury | 8887 |
Migration Alliance (MA)
Migration Alliance was established on 17 July 2009 and is a membership organisation committed to do the following:
- The principal activity is listed as ‘lobby government’
- Leading the Migration advice profession through the provision of expert advice to Government and consumers.
- Providing effective representation of both the Alliance and consumers to the Government.
- Providing practical assistance and support to the membership.
- Fostering co-operation between members for the betterment of the Profession and to discharge the trust vested in the Profession to provide expert and independent advice to consumers in the National Interest.
- Assisting the consumer through practical support to the non-commercial sector in the provision of expert pro-bono advice.
- Promoting a culture of integrity.
Hannibal Khoury has been a founding member of the Migration Alliance (MA) for over 10 years.
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC)
Who are the OISC?
The OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) is led by the Immigration Services Commissioner and is responsible for:
- Regulating immigration advisers in accordance with the Commissioner’s Code of Standards and Rules;
- Processing applications for registration or exemption from immigration advisers;
- Maintaining and publishing the register of advisers;
- Promoting good practice by immigration advisers;
- Receiving and handling complaints about immigration advisers; and
- Taking criminal proceedings against advisers who are acting illegally.
Who does the OISC regulate?
Any person who provides immigration advice or services in the United Kingdom, has to be regulated by the OISC. All advisers are required to display their certificates of registration or exemption. This, together with the OISC’s “global tick” logo, shows that an organisation has met the standards laid down by the OISC.
What is Thames Migration’s relationship with the OISC?
As an independent migration consultant, Thames Migration Ltd is regulated by the OISC (registration no.049463 ).
For more information, please visit the OISC.