With the impending removal of dual regulation, immigration practice becomes more accessible for legal practitioners.
Currently, lawyers practising in immigration law are subject to dual regulation: the regulation already applicable to Australian legal practitioners, plus the requirement to be registered as migration agents and subject to the Migration Agents Regulatory Authority (MARA).
Under the proposed Migration Amendment (Regulation of Migration Agents) Bill 2017 (Cth), currently before the senate, this barrier to lawyers conducting immigration matters will be removed. Lawyers will no longer have to register as migration agents and will not be subject to regulation by MARA.
This means lawyers will be able to conduct immigration matters as part of their usual practice, with no additional registration or regulatory requirements.
The proposed commencement date, for lawyers holding practising certificates without a supervised legal practice condition, is 19 November 2018.
Further information about the Bill, including proposed consumer education on the changes, is available on the MARA website.
By Lawyers Immigration guide allows lawyers to take advantage of these changes
By Lawyers continually reviews and updates all publications in line with legislative and procedural changes, ensuring publications are current for every matter undertaken.
Whether acting for an employer who wants to sponsor a temporary overseas worker or a family seeking to bring an older relative from another country, the By Lawyers Immigration publication assists practitioners from start to finish.