Term & Condition

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. APPOINTMENT OF AGENT

The Client appoints the Agent to represent the Client and to perform the services described in this Agreement.

2. CODE OF CONDUCT (THE CODE)

2.1       The Code is intended to regulate the conduct of registered migration agents by introducing a proper standard for the

conduct of business as a registered migration agent and establishes the minimum attributes and abilities that a person must demonstrate to perform as a Registered Migration Agent.

2.2       The Agent guarantees to provide a copy of the Code to the Client on request and at a reasonable fee. It is also available at www.mara.gov.au.

• If the Code (which is prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Migration Agent Regulations 1998) is amended in a way that is inconsistent with this agreement, the Agent and Client agree to vary this agreement to comply with the new Code.
• If the Code is inconsistent with the agent’s obligations as a legal practitioner or otherwise, or is inconsistent with the laws of the Country in which the Agent is operating, the Agent and the Client agree to vary this agreement to comply with the laws of that Country, to the extent of any inconsistency.

3. WHO WILL PERFORM THE WORK

• The Client acknowledges and consents to the immigration assistance covered by this agreement being provided by the Agent.
• The Client acknowledges and consents to immigration assistance covered by this agreement being delegated to other Registered Migration Agents as required.

3.3       The Client acknowledges and consents to administrative services being provided by other staff. The Responsible Agent will properly supervise the work carried out by any staff working for the Agent.

4. THE AGENT GUARANTEES THAT HE OR SHE:

• Is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
• Maintains the required level of Professional Indemnity Insurance.
• Will act in accordance with the law and in the best interests of the Client, and deal with the Client competently, diligently and fairly.
• Has sufficient knowledge of the relevant laws to be able to competently provide the agreed services.
• Will not make statements in support of an application under the Migration Act or Migration Regulations, or encourage the making of statements, which he or she knows or believes to be misleading or inaccurate.
• Will ensure that the Client has access to an interpreter if necessary.
  (The Client will be required to pay any fees charged by the interpreter.)
• Will, on request, provide the Client with a copy of their application and any related documents
  (The Agent is entitled to charge a reasonable amount for copies.)
• Will, if providing translating or interpreting services, include the Agent’s name and registration number on a prominent part of the translated document.
• Has no conflict of interest in terms of Part 2 of the Code, apart from the matters disclosed in Part 10 of this Agreement.
• Has disclosed in Part 10 of this Agreement all financial benefits received from Third Parties or provided to Third Parties as a result of providing advice of non-migration nature to the client.

• Will keep records of the clients’ account.

5. The Client Agrees That:
   • The Agent is able to advise the Client about immigration law at a particular point in time but is unable to predict future changes in

the law that may affect applications after they have been lodged.

• The Agent does not guarantee the success of any application.
• The Agent will not be liable for any loss arising from changes to the immigration law affecting the Client’s application, which

occurs after the application has been lodged.

• The Agent is under no obligation to provide any refund should the application be refused for reasons outside the Agent’s control.
• The Agent will be under no obligation to submit the Client’s application to the Department or review body until payment in full has

been made for all fees due and payable at that stage.

• The Agent has provided the Client with a copy of the booklet titled Consumer Guide.
• The Agent’s professional fees can be invoiced on behalf of the Agent by the Agent’s business entity, as listed on the MARA

Register of Migration Agents.

• If the Agent has advised the Client in writing that in the Agent’s opinion, an application would be vexatious or grossly unfounded;

the Client will provide written acknowledgement of the receipt of the advice, if notwithstanding the advice, the Client still wants the

Agent to lodge the application.

• The Client bears the risk that changes in immigration law may cause an application to be refused.
• The Client will respond promptly to requests by the Agent to provide further information or documents.
• The Client will not hold the Agent responsible for delays caused by the Client’s failure to promptly provide information or

documents.

• The Client is aware that failure to provide documents as required is likely to lead to an application being refused.
• The Client confirms that all information provided to the Agent is, to the best of the Client’s knowledge and belief, true and current

and that all documents supplied are genuine and authentic.

• The Client is aware that the provision of false information or documents is likely to lead to an application being refused.
• The Client is aware that failure to make prompt payments to the Department, review body or skills assessment body may lead to

an application being refused.

• The Client will, during the processing of an application, notify the Agent of any material changes in the circumstances of the client

or any other person who may be involved in the visa application.

• The Client will not sell property, leave employment, finalise any business or personal affairs or take similar steps in anticipation of

obtaining a visa without first notifying the Agent. The agent is not responsible for any losses arising from this.

• The Client will advise the Agent of any change of contact details within two weeks of the change.
• The Client agrees that the Agent is the sole contact with the Department and the Client will not contact the Department without

agreement from the Agent.

• The Client agrees that if the Client breaches Clause 5.19, the Agent has the right to terminate the contract, or in the alternative

the Agent has the right to charge additional fees at the rate of $190  per hour for any additional services required as a result of the breach.

• The Client agrees that if they make any payment via credit card, a merchant transfer fee will be imposed and disclosed on the

invoice.

• If the application is for an employer-sponsored visa, the Client agrees that they will take no other employment apart from the

employment that is the subject of the sponsorship agreement.

• As soon as possible after giving instructions to the Agent and receiving an estimate of fees, disbursements and the likely time to

be taken in performing services, the Client will provide written acceptance of these estimates.

6. TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

• The Client may terminate this agreement by providing written advice of the termination to the Agent.
• The Agent may terminate the agreement at any time, provided they provide reasonable written notice to the Client. This notice must comply with the requirements in Clause 10.1A of the Code.  If the Agent terminates the agreement, they must comply with the requirements of Clause 10.1B of the Code.
• If the agreement is terminated, the Client must pay any fees outstanding for work already performed by the Agent. The Client is not required to pay any fees for work not yet performed by the Agent
• When the agreement is terminated, the Agent must deal with the Client’s file in accordance with Part 10 of the Code.

7. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES

• If a dispute arises – out of or relating to this agreement, or the breach, termination, validity, or subject matter thereof, or as to any related claim in restitution or at law, in equity or pursuant to any statute, the parties agree to discuss the dispute with the aim of reaching an agreement that is acceptable to both sides. The agreement will be documented in writing, dated and signed by both the Agent and the Client.
• If one party requests an opportunity to discuss the dispute, the parties should attempt to reach an agreement within 21 days of that request (or a longer period if agreed between the parties).
• If the parties cannot reach an agreement within 21 days, the parties agree to refer the dispute to the Australian Commercial Disputes Centre (ACDC) for final settlement by a single arbitrator appointed in accordance with the Rules of the ACDC, or by another dispute resolution process suggested by ACDC and accepted by the parties. It is expected that any fees payable to ACDC or to the person appointed by ACDC will be paid by the parties equally.
• If the parties have been unable to resolve their dispute through ACDC, either party may commence Court proceedings but not before the expiry of 28 days from the date of referral to ACDC.
• A Client may vary the procedure set out in this Part if the Client can establish that DIBP may require the Client to depart Australia.

10. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS                  

• The client accepts that the Agent may have paid or will pay the financial benefit to a third party in relation to this contract for the provision of migration advice.

• The Client accepts that the Agent is not providing expert advice in relation to the subject matter of any contracts or arrangements that are the subject of this Part and that the Agent shall bear no liability for any loss or damage to any person or entity resulting from the provision of advice under this Part.

• The Client accepts and agrees that

11. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS                               

• The Client accepts and agrees to communicate Electronically for dealing for the Visa processing and related work
• The Client accepts that the email you have been communicating is your email and you are the sole user of this email
• The Client agrees to bind to the agreement by signing electronically or replying with confirmation of the service and accepts full responsibility for the contract sent by him via email
• The Agent disclaims and waives any liability or responsibility whatsoever for interception or unintentional disclosure of emails

transmitted by the Agent in connection with the performance of this engagement.

• The Client agrees that the Agent shall bear no liability for any loss or damage to any person or entity resulting from the use of

email transmissions, including any consequential, incidental, direct, indirect, or special damages, such as loss of revenues or

anticipated profits, or disclosure or communication of confidential or proprietary information.

12. RELEVANT LAW AND JURISDICTION

12.1   These conditions and all aspects of the performance of our services for you are governed by, and you agree to be bound by, the

Law of the Queensland and the Code of Conduct.  The Client and Agent irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the            courts of Queensland and/or the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

VISA EXPERT AUSTRALIA will hold all fees paid in advance in the Client’s Account. You will be issued a single invoice stated the professional fees. Visa Expert Australia will deduct the fees from the client account as and when the work is completed. If you need separate invoices please advice us and we will be able to provide you the same. Details of the work to be performed have been detailed in this agreement. You can choose to pay the department via your credit card.  We could make the payment using our credit card, however you will be required to pay the immigration fees and credit card transaction fees should be paid to us before we make the payment to DIBP (Department of Immigration and Border Protection).

Please make sure you have read and understood the conditions before entering into the agreement.  If you wish to seek independent legal advice about this Agreement, you should do so before signing this agreement.