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New form 956..another brick in the wall!

For as long as I can remember MA has been agitating for the removal of the "overseas agent" as an authorised person on the form 956 along with a prohibition on non registered agents acting for applicants in matters before immigration.

Following representations made directly to the relevant Minister by Liana Allan for and on behalf of MA it looks like there is finally movement on this front.

Yesterday I received an email which states as follows: 

"In response to concerns raised by the migration advice industry, I wanted to update you on the  change we have made to Form 956A “Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient”.   

Form 956A “Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient” has now been amended to remove the reference to “Offshore Agent ID number” under Question 11.  This follows similar amendment to Form 956 “Advice by a registered migration agent/exempt person of providing immigration assistance” earlier this year. 

Please note this email has been sent to all registered migration agents"

I personally believe it is only a matter of time before Australia in its dealings with applicants will fall in line with the Canadians and the New Zealand Government that do not permit unregistered agents to purport to act for clients.

This is, at last, a genuine reform which will protect vulnerable consumers and is welcomed by the profession generally.

Thank you Liana for all of your hard work on behalf of MA and to all our colleagues who have been working very hard behind the scenes to staunch this festering wound.

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Comments

  • Guest
    Robert K Chelliah Thursday, 03 October 2019

    I too thank MA, particularly Liana in her tireless effort to have this unregistered overseas brokers role curtailed.

    Robert Chelliah

  • Guest
    Mark Northam Thursday, 03 October 2019

    Fantastic job, Liana!

  • Guest
    Ramneek Madahar Thursday, 03 October 2019

    Good development. However, offshore agents are likely to set up email and immiaccounts in the names of their clients as a way around.

  • Guest
    Melanie Douglas Thursday, 03 October 2019

    Outstanding effort and results. And it's about time the department finally did something

  • Sunny P Chandra
    Sunny P Chandra Thursday, 03 October 2019

    Great effort and a small step for MA but a giant step for RMAs

  • Jianmin Tan
    Jianmin Tan Friday, 04 October 2019

    Well Done! Liana
    We hope the day when unauthorized applications be prevented comes sooner.

  • Guest
    maria chidzey Friday, 04 October 2019

    Well done Liana. Thank you.

  • Guest
    Ireneo Martin Saturday, 05 October 2019

    This is a very commendable achievement for the benefit of both the visa applicants and Australian RMAs. Well done Liana.

  • Guest
    robert bock Sunday, 06 October 2019

    Liana, your a gem....

  • Guest
    Joanna Chen Thursday, 10 October 2019

    Thank You.

  • Guest
    KIeran Thursday, 17 October 2019

    Worked as an RMA overseas for a number of years. It was very hard to compete against the claims/offers/guarantees of unregistered migration scammers until those stung eventually found there was a difference between an RMA, and their 'agent'. Many of my clients were those who had been already stung - and even as an RMA I had to do lots of reassuring. After returning to Australia, I talked to as many as I could about this situation, including ScoMo when he was immigration minister (and my local member) - no one appeared interested, except those at MA. A big thank-you to Liana. Please note that there are people out there who do appreciate and are thankful of your contribution re movement in the right direction on this issue!

  • Guest
    Peter Sunday, 03 November 2019

    Dear Liana, thank you for all your behind the scenes work!

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