Experienced migration agents may be becoming a rare breed. The OMARA figures indicate that almost half of the advisors in the migration advisory industry have less than 3 years’ experience.

This may not come as a surprise given the strong growth of the migration advisory industry in recent years. Current figures indicate that there is an average net increase of 40 registered migration agents (RMAs) a month. However, not all survive its demands with the OMARA figures showing 157 left the industry in the September quarter alone.

Overall, the total number of registered migration agents increased from 5706 at 30 June 2015 to 5830 at 30 September 2015 according to the OMARA’s Migration Agent Activity Report.

Over two-thirds or 67% of migration advisors are congregated in New South Wales and Victoria. About a third of the total number of RMAs are also lawyers. Currently, legislation requires migration advisors – including lawyers - to be registered with the OMARA in order to practice in the industry. The number of lawyers that could enter the industry could rise significantly, once - as proposed - the OMARA registration requirement is removed for legal practitioners.

Registered Migration Agents have a near perfect disciplinary record given that most have never had a complaint made against them, according to the OMARA. In fact, out of some 161 complaints finalised in the September quarter, almost all were resolved without sanction or dismissed for various reasons including lack of proper evidence or jurisdiction.

The statistics indicate that employer and business related visas were the main source of work for RMAs, followed by applicants for the Family, General Skilled and Refugee visa subclasses.

During this quarter, registered migration agents lodged 74 per cent of the total 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa applications, 81 per cent of Employer Sponsored visa applications, 63 per cent of Business Skills visa applications and about a third of Family, General Skilled Migration and Refugee/Protection visas applications.

IBIS World market research estimates that the migration advisory industry is worth about $910 million a year and growing at a rate of 4.1% annually.