Top 10 Questions Every Student Should Ask a MARA Agent

Your journey to study in Australia is one of the most important investments you will ever make. It starts with a critical decision — who will handle your Student Visa Subclass 500 application?

Navigating Australian immigration law is complex. The right migration agent makes the process smooth, clear and successful. The wrong one can cost you time, money and your visa opportunity.

At Unexa, we believe every international student deserves access to the right information. This guide gives you the 10 essential questions to ask any migration agent before you pay a single dollar — so you can make a confident, informed decision.

Ready to start exploring? Browse 20,000+ courses on Unexa and find the perfect programme for the February or July intake.

Why Verifying MARA Registration Matters

In Australia, anyone providing migration advice for payment must be registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority — known as MARA.

According to the official MARA website at mara.gov.au, registered agents must follow a strict Code of Conduct. This ensures they have the necessary legal knowledge and maintain professional indemnity insurance to protect you.

To verify an agent, ask for their Migration Agent Registration Number — known as a MARN. This is a 7-digit number. Visit mara.gov.au and search the register to confirm their status is listed as Active.

If their name does not appear, or their status shows as Suspended or Lapsed, simply choose someone else. Australia has 4,000+ registered agents — you have plenty of options.

10 Questions Every Student Must Ask Their MARA Agent Before Paying

When you sit down for your first consultation, use these ten questions to understand your agent's expertise and professionalism. A knowledgeable agent will welcome every single one of these questions.

1. What is your Migration Agent Registration Number?

This is your most important first question. Every legitimate migration agent in Australia has a 7-digit MARN. Ask for it upfront and verify it on mara.gov.au before proceeding. An agent who cannot provide their MARN immediately is not legally authorised to give you migration advice.

2. How long have you been specialising in Student Visa Subclass 500 applications?

Experience with your specific visa type matters enormously. The Department of Home Affairs assesses student visa applications differently from other visa types. An agent with extensive student visa experience understands the nuances, documentation requirements and common assessment criteria that make the difference between approval and refusal.

3. Do you provide a written Statement of Services and a formal contract?

Every professional migration agent provides a written service agreement before you pay anything. This document should outline exactly what services they will provide, the total fees, the timeline, and the terms and conditions. Never pay any amount without receiving this document first.

4. What are your total fees and what is your refund policy if the visa is not approved?

Understand the complete cost structure upfront. Ask whether the fee is a flat rate or hourly. Ask what happens to your money if your visa application is unsuccessful. A transparent agent will answer these questions clearly and without hesitation.

5. Which CRICOS-registered institutions do you work with?

Many migration agents receive referral commissions from universities and colleges. This is perfectly legal — but they must disclose these relationships to you openly. Understanding which institutions your agent has partnerships with helps you assess whether their course recommendations are genuinely in your best interest.

6. How do you stay updated on changes to the Genuine Student requirement?

The Genuine Student requirement — which replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement — is one of the most important and frequently updated aspects of the student visa process. An experienced agent actively monitors Department of Home Affairs policy updates and can explain exactly how current requirements apply to your specific situation.

7. Will you handle my application personally or will it be managed by someone else?

You are engaging a specific MARA registered agent for their expertise. Confirm that the person you are consulting with will personally oversee and manage your application — not delegate it to an unregistered staff member. Your application deserves the attention of the professional you are paying.

8. What is your experience with students from my home country?

Visa risk levels and assessment criteria vary depending on your country of origin. An agent with specific experience working with students from your country understands the documentation standards expected by the Department of Home Affairs and knows how to present your application most effectively.

9. Can you explain the pathways to the 485 Post-Study Work Visa after I graduate?

A knowledgeable agent thinks beyond your immediate visa application. They should be able to clearly explain the Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485 pathway — including eligibility requirements, duration, and how it connects to permanent residency options. If an agent cannot answer this question confidently, they may have limited knowledge of long-term migration strategy.

10. How will we communicate throughout the process and how often will you update me?

Clear, consistent communication is essential during a visa application. Confirm their preferred communication method, expected response times, and how they will keep you informed of any updates or requests from the Department of Home Affairs. A professional agent has clear communication systems and a dedicated office for client management.

How to Verify a MARA Agent in 3 Simple Steps

Verifying your agent takes less than two minutes and protects your entire investment.

Step 1: Ask the agent for their 7-digit Migration Agent Registration Number.

Step 2: Visit mara.gov.au and click on the Register of Migration Agents search tool.

Step 3: Enter the MARN or the agent's name and confirm their status shows as Active.

If you prefer a simpler approach — every agent listed on Unexa has already been verified. Simply visit unexa.app and browse 4,000+ pre-verified MARA agents filtered by visa type, location and specialisation. Free for every student.

Things to Watch For When Choosing an Agent

Knowing what to look for helps you make a better choice. Here are some situations where you may want to consider other options:

Visa guarantees
No migration agent — regardless of experience — can guarantee a visa outcome. Only the Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au has the authority to grant or refuse a visa. An agent who promises guaranteed approval is making a claim they cannot legally support.

Requests to rush a decision
If an agent pressures you to pay immediately without giving you time to review their credentials or service agreement, take your time. There are 4,000+ agents in Australia — you have options and you deserve time to make the right choice.

Suggestions to misrepresent information
If any advisor suggests providing inaccurate information or omitting relevant details from your application, end the consultation. Providing false information to the Department of Home Affairs can result in visa cancellation and a multi-year ban from entering Australia.

Generic email addresses for official correspondence
Professional MARA agents use email addresses connected to their registered business domain rather than generic personal email accounts for official correspondence.

Unclear fee structures
A professional agent provides a clear, itemised breakdown of all costs in Australian dollars before you sign anything or make any payment.

##Typical Fee Ranges for Student Visa Migration Services

Understanding typical fee ranges helps you assess whether a quote is reasonable for your situation.

For a standard Student Visa Subclass 500 application, professional migration agent fees typically starts from $500 Aud.

This figure covers the agent's professional services only. It does not include the government visa application charge paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs, which is currently $710 AUD.

Some agents offer package arrangements that combine university placement assistance with visa lodgement support. If you receive a package quote, always ask for a detailed breakdown showing how much applies to the visa legal work versus the administrative enrolment component.

How Unexa Makes Finding the Right Agent Easier

Unexa was built to give every international student access to more options, more information and more confidence throughout their Australia journey.

On Unexa you can:

✅ Browse 4,000+ MARA verified agents
✅ Filter by visa type — student visa, PR, skilled migration, partner visa and more
✅ Filter by location — find agents based in your destination state
✅ Contact any agent directly — completely free
✅ Compare agent specialisations — find the right match for your specific situation
✅ Access 20,000+ courses indexed
✅ Get AI-powered guidance on your entire journey — from course selection to PR

Most students only know one or two migration agents — usually the ones they have seen on social media. But the agent most visible online may not be the agent best suited to your specific visa type, home country background or long-term PR goals.

Unexa gives you to explore 4,000+ options — so you can make a decision based on expertise and fit, not social media following.

Start exploring at unexa.app — free for every student.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I check if a migration agent is registered in Australia?

Visit the official MARA website at mara.gov.au and enter the agent's 7-digit Migration Agent Registration Number or their name into the Register of Migration Agents search tool. Confirm their status shows as Active before proceeding.

Is it mandatory to use a migration agent for an Australian Student Visa?

No. You can lodge your own application through ImmiAccount directly with the Department of Home Affairs. However, many students choose to work with a MARA registered agent to ensure their documentation fully meets the current Genuine Student requirements and to reduce the risk of errors in their application.

Are education agents the same as migration agents?

Not necessarily. Education agents assist with university and course selection. Migration agents provide legal advice on visa applications. In Australia, an education agent cannot legally provide visa advice unless they are also registered with MARA. Always confirm which type of professional you are working with and what services they are qualified to provide.

What is a typical service fee for a student visa migration agent?

Professional fees for a Student Visa Subclass 500 generally range between $500+ AUD depending on the complexity of the case and whether family members are included. This is separate from the government visa application charges paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs.

What should I do if an advisor suggests I provide inaccurate information?

End the consultation immediately. Providing false or misleading information to the Department of Home Affairs can lead to visa cancellation and a multi-year ban from entering Australia. If the person is a registered MARA agent, you can report the conduct to the Office of the MARA.

How is Unexa different from searching for an agent on Google?

Every agent listed on Unexa has been verified as MARA registered before appearing on the platform. You can filter by visa type, location and specialisation to find agents suited to your specific situation. Contacting any agent through Unexa is completely free for students — with no hidden fees or referral charges.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right migration agent is one of the most important decisions in your Australia journey. The ten questions in this guide give you a clear framework for evaluating any agent confidently and professionally.

Australia offers world-class education, outstanding post-study work opportunities and clear pathways to permanent residency. The first step toward all of it starts with the right partner.

Ask the right questions. Verify the credentials. Choose the agent who is right for your specific situation — not just the most visible one.

Find your perfect MARA agent free on Unexa — browse all 4,000+ verified agents at unexa.app.

— Unexa AI, Founder
unexa.app