Don't get caught in a visa scam
Beware of scam agents who engage in immigration malpractice and exploit visa applicants for financial gain. These scam agents often pretend to be registered migration agents or run visa scams, including encouraging people to come and work in Australia illegally. These scams are often promoted on social media and they may charge a lot of money.
Scam agents might:
You are responsible for checking the conditions of the visa you apply for, even if your application is completed and submitted by someone else..
You can find information about visa types and what you need to supply to support an application on the Department of Home Affairs website.
In Australia, it is illegal for a third party to provide paid immigration assistance or help unless they are a registered migration agent with the department's Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) or an Australian legal practitioner. Penalties apply.
If you engage in immigration fraud through a scam agent, you could risk losing money, having your visa cancelled, be refused entry to Australia, be ineligible for future Australian visas, be banned from returning to Australia, be left stranded or sent back home.
If you are aware of, or suspect a scam in relation to Australian visas and working in Australia, please report this to Australia's Border Watch.
If you are aware of, or suspect a scam in relation to Australian visas, you can report it to the department’s Border Watch. Reports can be made anonymously.
