Immigration to Australia

Taken together, this preferred method of practice is helping to ensure that migration consumers are getting the specialist attention they need to navigate through Australia's migration system. Strong oversight Contact:  Anne O'Donoghue  of  Immigration Solutions Immigration lawyers benefit their clients and the public interest by helping to reunite families, delivering economic benefits through skilled and business migration, and protecting those in danger through humanitarian programs.

As a profession, immigration law is moving toward more rigorous professional standards, greater specialisation, and stronger oversight. The changing nature of the profession has prompted a group of immigration lawyers, including,Glenn Ferguson, Deputy President of the Queensland Law Society and Immigration Solutions Principal Solicitor Anne O'Donoghue, to form the Immigration Lawyers Association of Australasia [ ILAA ] The ultimate result of changes within the profession, and the establishment of a professional association, will be better delivery of service to clients.

Professionalism

Like all lawyers, immigration lawyers must meet minimum levels of professionalism, and must attend continuing legal education (CLE) classes. Specialist immigration lawyers may also undertake specialist accreditation, through specialist accreditation programs, which have been established by the Law Society of NSW and the Law Institute of Victoria. These programs have been running for some years and have proved very successful in raising the level of professionalism.

This is in addition to meeting the requirements set forth by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) for continuing professional development (CPD), although there have been moves recently to allow immigration lawyers cross credit CPD and CLE courses. Immigration lawyers must adhere to the ethical and professional standards, under the State regulated Legal Profession Acts,which regulate legal practice in Australia, in addition to the provisions set out in MARA's code of conduct. This dual regulatory structure ,although onerous at times, ensures that the standard of professionalism among immigration lawyers is very high, allowing them to deliver high quality services to clients in an often-confusing area of the legal system.

It is hoped that the establishment of the ILAA will add to the opportunities that immigration lawyers have for professional development within their field, whilst also encouraging a new area of practice for young lawyers.

Increasing specialization

Immigration law is a massive and horrendously complicated area of the legal system. At present, there are more than 500 articles in Australia's Migration Act, and a huge number of cases annually. Against this backdrop, it has become increasingly difficult for any single lawyer to practice across all areas of migration law. As a result, immigration law firms are becoming increasingly specialized, appointing legal staff to deal with various areas of immigration law, such as business migration, skilled migration, family migration and refugee law, for example.

Moreover, it is becoming increasingly common for lawyers in general practice to refer immigration cases,to a specialist immigration practice, where for example, an existing client of the firm has an immigration problem. The firm may not be able to handle the case, but also wishes to service the client's needs. Using a specialist practice as a consultant solves the problem and creates a good networking environment. Taken together, this preferred method of practice is helping to ensure that migration consumers are getting the specialist attention they need to navigate through Australia's migration system.

Strong oversight

Unlike migration agents, who are regulated solely by the MARA, lawyers must be registered with their relevant state legal authorities and must also have professional indemnity insurance. This rigorous oversight regime ensures that lawyers adhere to high standards of service, and that there is also a strong functioning mechanism for redressing complaints, should they arise. The result of this strong oversight, coupled with high professional standards and increasingly specialization, is that immigration lawyers are delivering the quality services that their clients need.

Unlike migration agents, who are regulated solely by the MARA, lawyers must be registered with their relevant state legal authorities and must also have professional indemnity insurance. This rigorous oversight regime ensures that lawyers adhere to high standards of service, and that there is also a strong functioning mechanism for redressing complaints, should they arise. The result of this strong oversight, coupled with high professional standards and increasingly specialization, is that immigration lawyers are delivering the quality services that their clients need.

Why do I need an Australian immigration lawyer when all I want is a visa? As specialist Australian Immigration Lawyers right here in Sydney, Australia, we are often asked ‘why does a person need an immigration lawyer when all they want is a visa?’ which, can be done by a Migration Agent.

The answer is a simple one: With Australian immigration law being as strict as it is, it costs more to fix an incorrect Australian visa application than it does to do it right the first time. In a visa application every question and answer matters and are all vital for visa in Australia being accepted. The quality and strength of submissions, evidence and documents put in support of a visa application, can be the difference between being granted a visa for Australia or being refused one.

 An Australian visa subclass is a creature of law, knowing that immigration law for the specific country (in this case Australia) and how it applies to a client’s factual situation is the key to making a strong and appropriate visa application. If a client is truly confident and feels they can trust and rely on their lawyer, they are more comfortable to tell the full and true story. It is only then the immigration lawyer or migration agent can advise accurately as to the appropriate application, the next best step or strategy or application to the court. Of course the knowledge of immigration law, professionalism and expertise that an accredited specialist has is the cornerstone.

We know people that have wasted thousands of dollars pursing useless actions in courts or that have been forced to leave Australia when, if advised correctly and followed the right strategy, they could have been granted a visa and ultimately gained permanent residence and Australian citizenship.  What is why the Migration Agents Registration Authority is advertising in community newspapers, advising people that they should always get a second opinion, to make sure they have explored all the available options and been given the best immigration advice and corrective visa strategy.

What is the cost of hiring an Immigration Lawyer?

The next important question is cost. When hiring an immigration lawyer, you and the lawyer agree a price up front and the immigration lawyer sticks to that price! There are no hidden costs, no surprises and definitely no tricks. More importantly, if you get it right first time, you avoid spending thousands of dollars just any problems that will occur with an incorrect visa application.  Getting the appropriate visa or subclass and avoiding refusal or deportation is essential to continuing or starting your life in Australia. 

Having your matter dealt with by specialists is to ensure that you that you obtain the best and desired out come and don’t waste money on unwarranted, unnecessary or unattainable applications. Your future in Australia depends on the quality of the migration advice and assistance you receive. By using an Australian Immigration Lawyer you are assured of ethical, professional accurate and up-to-date Australian immigration advice.