The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) is the peak body representing Australian Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) and other migration advice professionals.

Structure

A non-profit, Member organisation, the MIA consists of an elected Board of Directors, five Branch Committees headed by elected Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers representing New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT), Queensland and the Northern Territory (QLD/NT), South Australia (SA), Victoria and Tasmania (VIC/TAS) and Western Australia (WA) and is administered by a small National Office in Sydney.http://mia.org.au/about-organisational-information

A Corporate Governance Statement sets standards for the MIA’s elected officials and consultants to promote professionalism and help prevent conflicts of interest and a Board Charter lays out the responsibilities and powers of the Board of Directors, which oversees the overall operation and stewardship of the Institute in accordance with its Constitution, Rules and Strategic Plan.

Sharon Harris is the MIA's current President, and also serves as President of the MIA Queensland and Northern Territory Branch. Maurene Horder is the Institute's Chief Executive Officer.

Migrating to Australia

Australian migration is complex, with more than 100 different visa categories featuring varying requirements, and many current and potential visa applicants require migration advice. In Australia, Migration Agents must be registered to provide immigration assistance services.

The MIA hosts a Find an Agent function on its website.

Professional Standards

Members comply with the MIA’s Code of Professional Ethics and Practice for the Australian Migration Advice Profession and the companion Code of Ethics, which together set the standards of behaviour for the profession. In addition, MIA Members comply with the Code of Conduct compulsory for all RMAs.

Governmental and Public Representations

The Institute advocates on behalf of its more than 2000 Member Agents through regular liaison meetings with federal and state governments and departments, regulatory authorities, skills assessment bodies and other public and private stakeholders.

The MIA also makes regular public submissions to parliamentary committees and governmental discussion papers and press releases on topics and events of interest in the migration field.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The MIA administers a comprehensive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training program available in person, through the Institute's Online Virtual Classroom and via downloadable Private Study Modules.

These courses are designed to promote high standards of excellence in education within the migration advice profession and in accordance with the statutory requirements for Agents as governed by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

MIA CPDs are open to all RMAs, with Member Agents receiving substantial discounts.

Professional Support and Advocacy

Through the MIA’s Professional Support, Advocacy and Membership Services divisions, Members access a wealth of industry experience on matters of legislative and regulatory contention and receive invaluable help in dealing with Government departments and tribunals, benefiting from a host of specialised offers and services.

The MIA also administers an active online Member Forum.

Migration Conference

The Institute hosts an annual conference, featuring an array of speakers from public service, academia, politics and the private sector, as well as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses and networking opportunities. The most recent conference, Migration 2010 ran 7–10 October 2010 at Sydney's Novotel Brighton Beach.

MIA and the MARA

The MIA was appointed by the Australian Government to regulate the Migration Agent profession in 1992, creating the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA)http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ma1958118/s315.html. On 9 February 2009, the then Minister for Immigration and Citizenship

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship (Australia)

In the Government of Australia, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship is responsible for overseeing the Department of Immigration and Citizenship....

, Senator Chris Evans

Chris Evans (Australian politician)

Christopher Vaughan Evans is an Australian politician and a member of the Australian Senate for the state of Western Australia, representing the Australian Labor Party.-Early life:...

, announced new arrangements to govern Migration Agents, establishing the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)

Migration Agents Registration Authority

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority is an Australian Government authority that regulates the Migration Agents profession...

 on 1 July 2009 as a discrete office attached to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).

External links

• Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)

• The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)

• Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)