Law Council releases submission on regulation of migration agents

13/11/2007

The Law Council fo Australia has published its submission on the regulation of migration agents. A discussion paper on standards in the migration advice sector was released�in September�by the assistant minister for immigration and citizenship, the Hon Teresa Gambaro MP.�View the discussion paper>

The LCA recommended, among other things, that:

>> the regulator should be independent of all stakeholders but have representatives of the stakeholders on an Advisory Board (akin to the UK model);

>> lawyers with legal practising certificates should not be required to pay a registration fee in addition to their practising certificate fees, professional indemnity insurance premiums and fidelity fund contributions;

>> all complaints regarding lawyer agents should be referred by MARA or DIAC, or the relevant body, to the state or territory Legal Services Board, Law Society or Bar Association for investigation and, if necessary, punishment;

>> MARA, or the relevant industry regulator, must be required to provide information on its public register of migration agents indicating whether a registered lawyer/agent holds a legal practising certificate and specialist accreditation from a Law Society; and

>> lawyers with legal practising certificates should not be required to meet MARA’s continuing professional development (CPD) requirements in addition to their CPD load as lawyers.

View the Law Council's submission>

13 November 2007

---