Stronger rules for migration agents coming April 2026

From 1 April 2026, the Australian Government is introducing new rules to regulate registered migration agents (RMAs) more strictly. The changes include mandatory annual training on ethics and professional conduct for all registered agents, plus limits on how many online training hours agents can complete in a single day. New education providers have also been approved to train people entering the migration agent profession. The Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has increased its staff threefold and is now taking stronger action against agents who break the rules. Since 2021/22, 61 agents have been sanctioned for breaches including providing false information, failing to notify Home Affairs of visa assistance, and using generic statements that don't match individual applicants' circumstances. If you're using or planning to use a migration agent, these changes aim to protect you by ensuring higher professional standards. If you have concerns about an agent's conduct, Home Affairs encourages you to lodge a complaint with OMARA.