Question 1

Why use a Registered Migration Agent?

Accepted Answer

Registered Migration Agents are qualified to give you accurate advice on your visa options. They can also help you prepare and lodge your application.

Question 2

What types of visas can you help me with?

Accepted Answer

We specialise in family migration related visas, including partner, child and parent visas. We also help with Citizenship, permanent residency, and visitor visas. We have deep experience managing visa appeals at the ART (Administrative Review Tribunal) for any of these visas.

Question 3

Should I use a migration agent or an immigration lawyer?

Accepted Answer

A registered migration agent is authorised by the Australian Government to prepare and lodge visa applications and to represent you before the Department of Home Affairs. That is the work most visa applications need, and it is what we do. Our Principal Migration Agent is Eli Bekker, MARN 1465541. A lawyer is generally needed only for court proceedings, such as judicial review in the Federal Circuit and Family Court. That is a separate step, and it comes after a tribunal decision.

Question 4

What happens if my visa application is refused?

Accepted Answer

If we prepared and lodged your partner visa application and it is not approved, we refund our professional fee. This is our "No visa, no fee" policy, and it applies to partner visa applications. Other visa types have their own terms, which we confirm in writing before any work starts. Government application charges are set by the Department of Home Affairs and cannot be refunded by us, and neither can third-party costs such as health checks, police checks and translations. Depending on your circumstances you may also be able to seek a review of the decision, which we can talk through with you.

Question 5

How much are your professional fees?

Accepted Answer

Our fixed professional fees start from $4,400 incl. GST for a partner visa, as at July 2026, and vary by visa type. Government application charges are separate and are set by the Department of Home Affairs. The initial phone consultation is free, and we confirm your exact fee in writing before any work starts. See our process and pricing page for the full fee list.

Question 6

Can I lodge the application myself?

Accepted Answer

You can. You can lodge a partner visa application yourself through ImmiAccount. The government charge is the same either way. What changes is who is responsible for the evidence. Partner visa decisions turn on how well the relationship is documented and presented. These are the three problems we see most often:

Thin relationship evidence.
A Form 888 statement that is missing, or witnessed incorrectly.
Gaps that are only noticed after a decision.

If an application is refused, the government charge is not refunded. A review at the ART (Administrative Review Tribunal) carries its own fee on top, currently $3,496 (AUD) as at 1 July 2026. On partner visa applications, our "No visa, no fee" policy means we refund our professional fee if we prepare and lodge the application and it is not approved. See our process and pricing page.

Question 7

Why is your fee higher than some other agents?

Accepted Answer

Fixed fees vary because the scope varies. Before you compare quotes, check what each fee includes:

Does the agent draft the written submission, or only check your forms?
Do they handle Department correspondence and requests for further information?
Does a registered agent review the file before lodgement?
What happens to the fee if the application is refused?

Our fee covers the full scope, which is listed on our process and pricing page.

Question 8

Which visa should I apply for?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the right visa for your situation is essential to a positive decision. You need to think about your personal situation, your migration goals, your eligibility and the visa fees. We are here to help work out the best visa pathway for you. Submit your enquiry for a free consultation.

Question 9

Who will lodge my visa application?

Accepted Answer

Our Principal Migration Agent, Eli Bekker, oversees the drafting of your application. He then reviews it and lodges it. Eli is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). He has over 15 years of experience in the field.

Question 10

What if I am not happy with your service?

Accepted Answer

Tell us first, and we will work to put it right. As registered migration agents we are bound by the Migration Agents Code of Conduct, and if we cannot resolve your complaint you can raise it with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. See our about us page for the full detail.

Question 11

I’m in a de facto relationship, can I still apply for a Partner Visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can apply for an Australian Partner Visa if you are in a de facto relationship. It is a common pathway for couples to live in Australia. As a general rule, the de facto relationship must have existed for at least 12 months before you apply. There are exceptions, and there are specific criteria to meet.

Question 12

After I lodge a Partner Visa application do I have to remain in the same place whilst it is processing?

Accepted Answer

Partner Visas and Prospective Marriage Visas can be granted while you are in Australia or outside it. So you do not need to stay in the same place you were in when you lodged your application. You can be somewhere else when the Department decides.

Question 13

What is a bridging visa?

Accepted Answer

A Bridging visa is a temporary visa for someone who applies for a visa while in Australia. It lets you stay in Australia lawfully while your application is processed. It does not start until your current visa expires. It usually carries the same conditions as your current visa. There are several classes of Bridging visa, each with its own conditions.

Question 14

Do I need to translate documents that are not in English?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Australian authorities generally do not accept documents in a language other than English. We recommend you use a translator accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). Authorities do accept translations by other professionals, as long as they are official or notarised.

Question 15

Can an applicant (or sponsor) with a criminal record still apply for a visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can generally apply for or sponsor a visa even with a criminal record. Your chance of success depends on the nature and seriousness of the criminal history. It also depends on the visa you are applying for.

Question 16

What costs are involved when applying for an Australia visa?

Accepted Answer

The cost of applying for a visa varies widely. In every case, think about these costs and fees: The government visa application charges; Migration Agent professional fees; Medical examinations; Police checks; Document translation (if required); Health insurance cover (if required for your visa).

Question 17

Can I stay in Australia while waiting for my partner visa?

Accepted Answer

If you apply for an Onshore Partner visa in Australia, you can stay here while your application is processed. You will be granted a Bridging visa. It starts when your current substantive visa expires. The Bridging visa lets you stay in Australia lawfully while you wait for the outcome.

Question 18

What does “Eligible New Zealand citizen” mean?

Accepted Answer

An eligible New Zealand citizen is a New Zealand citizen who is a protected SCV holder. SCV means Special Category visa, subclass 444. "Protected SCV holder" has the meaning given by section 7 of the Social Security Act 1991 (SSA). You are a protected SCV holder at a particular time, if you: were physically in Australia on 26 February 2001 as the holder of an SCV; were not in Australia on 26 February 2001 but were in Australia for 365 days (or more) between 26 February 1999 and 25 February 2001 (inclusive) and returned to Australia after 26 February 2001, or; are otherwise a ‘protected SCV holder’ under section 7(2B), 7(2C) or 7(2D) of the SSA, in which case you must provide us with written confirmation from Centrelink that you are a protected SCV holder.

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