Migration Alliance has received the following email from the Department of Home Affairs today:
I am writing to inform you that the Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Bill 2019 and Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Amendment (Rates of Charge) Bill 2019 (the Bill Package) have passed the Senate today. The media release announcing the passage of the Bill Package can be accessed on the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs’ website at: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/jasonwood/Pages/government-removes-unnecessary-dual-regulation-for-lawyers.aspx
In summary, the Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Bill 2019 contains measures to partially implement recommendations of the 2014 Independent Review of the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, including to remove legal practitioners from the regulatory scheme governing migration agents, and other measures. The Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Amendment (Rates of Charge) Bill 2019 ensures that an agent who originally applied for and had their registration as a non-commercial agent approved, but who at any point through that registration period gives immigration assistance otherwise than on a non-commercial basis, becomes liable to pay a pro-rata adjusted charge.
The schedules of the Bills will commence by Proclamation, or six/nine months after Royal Assent, whichever is earlier. We have started preparatory work for implementation of the Bill Package and transition to the new regulatory scheme. We will be in touch with you regarding the prospective commencement dates.