Migration Alliance is in receipt of the following information from the ACT Government:

Dear Agents

If you’re approaching the end of your studies in Australia, it’s about time you start considering applying for your permanent residency. The transition from a student to a permanent resident is definitely not smooth, owing to a number of tight rules that the government has introduced.

There are a number of factors that you should be considering as soon as you enter your last semester.

Language Requirements

English is a key requirement in your first step towards obtaining a permanent residency. Unless you hold a passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand, you will be required to complete an English proficiency test.

As a Migration Agent, when it comes to getting insurance sorted for your business it can be pretty straightforward - jump online, compare quotes and buy the insurance that suits your business.  However when it comes to your decision to take up business insurance there are a few things you want to keep in mind.

1. Your personal insurance doesn’t cover your business

A key thing to be aware of is that your personal insurance may not cover your business liabilities or property. If you are working from home it’s important to know that your home and contents insurance policy might not cover all the liabilities related to your business. As an example most home and contents policies do not cover you for bodily injury or property damage to a client or supplier that may occur at your home. The likelihood of a claim is low, but the implications could be extremely costly. The rule of thumb is “if the consequences are too severe to manage on your own, you should insure it.” However with a low probability of occurrence this simply means you will pay a lower premium – this is a small price to pay even if it is unlikely you will have a million dollar claim. 

Also note your business insurance may cover personal items. If you have cover for theft and there is a break in to your office, you may be able to claim for those personal items left in the office.

Following the Kendall review of the OMARA, DIBP has now foreshadowed adoption of the second limb of the Kendall report recommendations concerning the prohibition on lawyers from being registered as migration agents.

The relevant advice to that effect appears here:

https://www.mara.gov.au/news-and-publications/news/omara-independent-review/

Regulatory reforms are supposed to make life easier, not harder.  Cutting red tape is part of this government's agenda. 

That’s right, isn’t it? 

Will that be the case if “dual regulation” of lawyers is ended, as recommended by the “Kendall Report” concerning the “Independent Review of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority”?