Last updated: 13 September 2026. Data source: MARA — Migration Agents Registration Authority, sourced into SVH's mara_agents dataset and last refreshed 12 September 2026.
Data scope: The MARA register covers agents whose registration is currently active. SVH's mara_agents dataset tracks: MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number), given name, family name, business name, state, suburb, postcode, and whether the agent is non-commercial.
Before you pay anyone to help with a student visa application, spending two minutes on the MARA register is the single most useful thing you can do. This article explains what the published dataset records show and how to use them.
What the register tracks
According to the published dataset records (sourced from mara.gov.au), each entry in the MARA register contains:
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| MARN | A unique 7-digit Migration Agent Registration Number — the official identifier for this agent |
| Given name / Family name | The agent's legal name as registered with MARA |
| Business name | The firm or trading name they operate under, if any |
| State | The Australian state or territory where they are registered |
| Suburb | The suburb of their registered business address |
| Non-commercial | Whether the agent operates outside a commercial setting (e.g. community legal centres, certain employer-arranged advice) |
This is the full data the register surfaces. It does not include fee schedules, complaint history, or success rates — those are not published.
Why registration matters for students
Only people listed on the MARA register, or currently enrolled Australian lawyers, can legally charge a fee for migration advice. An unlicensed adviser who charges for visa help is committing an offence under the Migration Act 1958.
The register is the only public check. Asking someone for their MARN and then confirming that MARN appears on mara.gov.au takes less than a minute. If they refuse to give it, or the number does not appear on the register, stop there.
What non-commercial registration means
According to the published dataset records, a portion of registered agents hold a non-commercial flag. These agents work in settings such as:
- Community legal centres providing free migration assistance
- Employers whose in-house HR handles visa applications for sponsored workers
- University international offices advising enrolled students under a specific exemption
A non-commercial agent cannot charge you a personal fee for advice. If a person presents as non-commercial but asks for payment, that is a warning sign — check the register directly.
How to check before you pay
- Ask the person or agency for their MARN.
- Go to mara.gov.au/search-the-register.
- Search by MARN or full name. Confirm the result matches the business name and location you were given.
- If you cannot find the agent, or the details do not match, do not proceed with payment.
StudyVisaHub publishes the MARA dataset at studyvisahub.com.au/agents as a searchable directory, updated when the official register is refreshed.
What the register does not tell you
The MARA register confirms registration status. It does not rate quality, publish client outcomes, or list disciplinary actions in a searchable form. MARA's decisions register separately publishes formal disciplinary findings, but it requires manual search.
Individual circumstances vary. This article is general information, not migration or legal advice. For guidance on a specific application, consult a MARA registered migration agent.
Data sources: MARA — Search the Register · SVH mara_agents dataset (refreshed 12 September 2026)