Who We Are

Our Story, Our Approach

Immigration Agency was founded to provide structured and reliable support to individuals navigating the Australian immigration system. Over the years, we’ve worked with a wide range of clients from Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, and across Australia and overseas, focusing on clarity and consistency in every interaction.

We take a considered approach to each case, offering guidance that aligns with current migration law and procedures. From the initial consultation, our goal is to help clients understand their available pathways and what may be required at each stage of the process.

Our work is based on careful planning, informed communication, and respect for each person’s circumstances. We aim to make the experience as straightforward as possible within the legal framework.

To speak with our team, please contact Immigration Agency on (07) 4041 3955. We're based in Cairns, but can operate remotely for clients anywhere in Australia, as well as in Papua New Guinea and the Torres Strait Islands.

Meet John Young

John Young leads the team at Immigration Agency. He began working in the field in 1989 and has been a Registered Australian Migration Agent (MARN: 9251554) since 1992.

Throughout his career, John has held a number of formal positions within the migration profession. These include serving as National Vice President and Victorian Branch President of the Migration Institute of Australia, as well as a Director of the Migration Agents Registration Authority — the government body responsible for regulating the migration advice profession. He is currently a member of the Migration Alliance.

John works closely with his team across a wide range of matters, including Skilled, Partner and Family Migration, Employer Sponsorship and Nomination, Business Visas, Ministerial Interventions, Protection Visas, Visa Cancellations, and AAT applications.

He takes a direct and transparent approach when providing preliminary assessments, offering guidance based on current legislation and individual circumstances.

What We Do

John Young recommends that clients only use Australian Registered Agents when managing migration applications. There is a real risk in using agents overseas who are not Australian Registered Migration Agents.

A migration agent is anyone who uses knowledge of migration procedures to offer advice or assistance to a person wishing to obtain a visa to enter or remain in Australia.

The definition of ‘immigration assistance’ also includes giving assistance to people who are nominating or sponsoring prospective visa applicants.

An ‘agent’ includes lawyers and people who work for voluntary organisations and provide their advice free of charge. However, migration agents generally charge for their services.

Migration agents operating in Australia are required by law to be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Some migration agents operating outside Australia are also registered with the MARA.

All registered migration agents must:

• Meet the qualification requirements for registration, which include a sound knowledge of Australian migration law and procedures (for initial registration) and ongoing professional development activities (for subsequent registration).
• Be of good character.
• Abide by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct, which they are required to display in their offices.

How to Choose a Migration Agent

Registration applies to an individual and not to an organisation. The first thing you need to be sure of is that you are dealing with a registered migration agent, whether in or outside Australia. You can do this by asking to see their certificate of registration (which includes their photograph) if you are meeting in person, or by checking the Register of Agents on the MARA website. For your protection, this website also contains information about agents whose registration has been suspended or cancelled by MARA (sanctioned agents) and information about those who are no longer registered (lapsed agents).

If you discover that a person in Australia has provided immigration assistance and is unregistered, you should immediately contact the Department of Immigration. The Department will assess the information provided and investigate any allegations of unregistered practice. The best way to report such information is to contact your nearest Department of Immigration office or call them in Australia on 131 881.

Before engaging a migration agent, ask for a contract or statement of services and an outline of fees relevant to your circumstances. You should not sign the contract or statement of services until you fully understand the terms of the work to be undertaken. Ask questions to clarify anything you do not understand.

Questions you might ask when choosing your migration agent include:

• Experience – What are your areas of focus? Do you have the knowledge and competence to effectively handle my matter? What were the outcomes of similar cases you’ve managed?
• Options – What are my options? What can I apply for? What do you expect from me in relation to the service? Could the fees be reduced if I complete part of the work, and what are the drawbacks in doing so?
• Fees – What is the total cost and what are the payment terms? If a conditional refund applies, will you provide written details explaining how refunds are processed? Are there any additional costs?

Requirement to Be Registered

The law requires that migration agents operating in Australia be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (the Authority).

The Authority regulates the migration advice profession and undertakes a range of functions as defined in Section 316 of the Migration Act 1958.

These functions include:

• Processing applications for registration.
• Administering continuing professional development.
• Monitoring the conduct of registered migration agents.
• Investigating complaints about, and taking disciplinary action against, registered migration agents who breach the Code of Conduct or act in an unprofessional or unethical manner.

People who practise in Australia as unregistered migration agents may be subject to penalties ranging from fines of up to $5,500 to imprisonment for up to 10 years.