Australian Immigration Daily News

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The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) in New Zealand is the equivalent authority to MARA in Australia. A Licensed Immigration Adviser in NZ is the equivalent occupation to a Registered Migration Agent in Australia. 

Under the Trans Tasman Mutual Recognition Act (TTMR Act) is a mutual recognition principle between Australia and New Zealand that permits an individual who is registered in Australia for an occupation to be registered for the equivalent occupation in New Zealand (and vice versa).  Under the TTMR Act, MARA recognises NZ licensed immigration advisers that hold a full license to be registered as registered migration agents in Australia without any conditions or limitations. This is consistent with the intent of the act as these are equivalent occupations.

The issue is that IAA does not reciprocate and does not currently permit Australian registered migration agents to obtain full registration in NZ in the equivalent occupation of a licensed immigration adviser. 

The relevant principle under the TTMR Act states:



It is important to note that as per section (2) above, no laws of New Zealand can require any 'particular qualification' where registration is being made for an equivalent occupation. It is important to note that the definition in the TTMR Act for 'qualification' is not just limited to awards but also includes any specific experience, education or training. 



IAA state at http://www.iaa.govt.nz/become-adviser/trans-tasman.asp that applicants under the TTMR Act must apply for a provisional license and are not eligible for a full license:



As a period of supervision fits within the definition of 'qualification' as it is a 'specific kind of experience', and the TTMR Act principle states that equivalent occupations cannot require any additional qualification, IAA cannot request for the adviser to undergo a period of supervision and also be downgraded to a non-equivalent license (provisional rather than full). This is contrary to the intent of the TTMR Act, and contrary to MARA's recognition of the TTMR Act.

Fortunately the decision of the IAA to not grant a full license to an Australian registered migration agent can be appealed through the occupations tribunal of New Zealand. To date no one has taken the initiative to challenge this. A successful win in the tribunal will force the IAA to revise their policy and be consistent with the TTMR Act. Currently the fee for a review is NZ$600.

The following email has been received from the DIBP:

The Department advises that from 1 December 2017 all requests for Ministerial Intervention under sections 351 and 417 of the Migration Act 1958 will be centrally processed by the NSW Ministerial Intervention team.  Agents will be advised of any active Melbourne cases transferred to Sydney.  There is no change in the process for lodgement of requests.  

From 1 December 2017 all case enquiries should be addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Update 24 Nov 2017:  SBS World News will be running this story about PIC 4020 tonight, 24 November 2017 at 6:30pm

Update 24 Nov 2017 2:45pm: Leesha McKenny of SBS has just written to Liana Allan of Migration Alliance to advise that the story "One Strike You're Out visa changes could leave you facing 10 year ban"  has gone live on the website:

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/11/24/one-strike-youre-out-visa-changes-could-leave-you-facing-10-year-ban