| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | M | P | Q | R | S | T | V | W Agent A migration Agent is a private commercial entity, which is not affiliated with any governmental organisation, that offers professional assistance, guidance and representation to clients who wish to apply for a visa to Australia. It is not compulsory to use an agent when applying for a visa to Australia. Applicants prefer to use agents because the agent will assist in preparing the application, thereby ensuring it has a better chance of success while minimising cost and delay due to incomplete or incorrect applications. This is because agents are familiar with the regulations and procedures relevant to applying for a visa. Agents who have registered with the MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) have completed extensive testing to ensure they are competent, and have agreed to a code of conduct that protects applicants from misconduct. It is obligatory for Australian based migration agents to register with the MARA. It is not obligatory for migration agents based outside Australia to register with the MARA, though the more reputable migration agents will do so of their own volition. However, many countries have their own migration/immigration professional regulatory bodies. In the UK, this is OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner). The Department of Immigration and Citizenship does not treat an application preferentially if it is lodged by an agent or immigration lawyer. However, an application that is lodged by an experienced and competent agent is more likely to be successful in the minimum period of time, simply because the agent is more experienced in how to lodge a complete application. The application is therefore unlikely to be delayed due to incorrectly completed forms, or unsatisfactory evidence being submitted. Furthermore, no migration agent can guarantee that an application will be successful. This is because the final decision to grant or refuse the visa rests with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. However, a reputable agent will demonstrate their acting in good faith by offering their clients a “no visa, no fee” guarantee. 1stContact Visas is registered both with the MARA and OISC, and offers a “no visa, no fee” guarantee. The 1stContact Visas fee structure falls within the MARA fee guidelines. The average processing times of applications lodged through 1stContact are generally shorter than the published average processing times. ASCO Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) refers to the system by which occupations are classified and categorised. This is an important component of skilled migration criteria. By this system, it can be determined what skill an applicant has, which in turn will dictate how an applicant must apply. As part of any skilled application, an applicant must demonstrate that they are skilled in the occupation listed on the SOL. The applicant must therefore provide evidence to this effect. Very often, the applicants’ references will mention their frequent tasks and primary responsibilities. When assessing an application, DIAC will ensure that these tasks and responsibilities do in fact fall within the standard job description for the relevant skill, by referring to the ASCO database of job descriptions. It is important to note that occupations that are known in the UK by a certain name may be known by a different name in Australia, even though the occupation is the same. This difference in terminology must be taken into account when the applicant is selecting the skill category in which they intend to apply. It is vitally important that the correct Australian classification is applied for, even if the name of the occupation in the Australian context differs from the UK context. Assurance of Support This is an undertaking by an Australian citizen or permanent resident to provide financial assistance to prospective migrants in the event they require support during the early stages of their Australian residency. The Australian citizen or permanent resident who is offering the Assurance of Support must be interviewed by Centrelink and must prove that their income has been and will be sufficient to support the migrants in the event it is required. In addition, a bond must be paid to Centrelink, from which any claims for state aid or benefits by the migrants will be deducted. The amount of the bond, and the period for which it must be held by Centrelink, and the level of income the assuror of support must demonstrate, are determined by the type of visa being applied for and the size of the migrant family. Assurance of support is mandatory in some visa classes, but can be imposed on applicants for other visas if the Department of Immigration and Citizenship believe it is necessary, even if it is not normally a requirement.
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