The Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Jason Wood MP, has established a Migration Advice Industry Advisory Group (the Advisory Group).
The Advisory Group provides expert advice to the Australian Government on matters relating to the migration advice industry, including potential reforms to the legislative framework governing the industry. This includes:
- supporting the Review of Migration Agents Instruments being undertaken by the Department of Home Affairs, including the
Migration Act 1958 (the Act), the Migration Agents Regulations 1998 (the Regulations) and associated instruments
- providing advice on developing a world class migration advice industry including improvements to qualification standards, professional standards and addressing misconduct and unlawful activity
- shaping the Government’s strategy for engagement with the industry
- providing fair and frank advice on all other matters related to the efficient functioning and future growth of the industry
The Advisory Group meetings are conducted via teleconference at the request of the Assistant Minister. Members are not remunerated for their work or attendance at meetings and are required to cover any travel costs incurred.
Membership remains in effect for a maximum of 12 months or until otherwise notified by the Assistant Minister, or the Department on behalf of the Assistant Minister, in writing. The group incorporates broad representation and includes migration agents (legal and non-legal), academics, community and the government sectors.
Membership
The Assistant Minister appointed 26 experts to the Advisory Group following a public nomination process, for a maximum term of 12 months:
- Bridget Cullen
- Cecil Bass
- David Prince
- Grace Xie
- Helen Duncan
- Jackson Taylor
- John Hourigan
- Liana Allan
- Libby Hogarth
- Lisa Chanesman
- Marianne van Galen Dickie
- Mark Glazbrook
- Mary Anne Kenny
- Mateja Rautner
- Megan Arends
- Nilesh Nandan
- Owen Harris
- Peter Papadopoulos
- Rashmere Bhatti
- Sarah Dale
- Teresa Liu
- Thanushki Kankanange
- Sahan Mawanane Hewa
- Sonia Vignjevic
- Valerie da Gama Pereira
- Viola Ho
Advisory Group Meetings
19 November 2020
Members of the newly established
Migration Advice Industry Advisory Group met via videoconference on 19 November 2020 to discuss industry reform concepts being examined under the Department of Home Affairs’ review of the legislation that governs the industry (the Review).
The meeting was hosted by the
Hon Jason Wood MP, the Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs. All 26 members of the Advisory Group were in attendance.
The discussion focused on the concepts of tiering and supervised practice, and key design considerations, should either be introduced. This conversation was guided by public responses to the discussion paper,
Creating a world class migration advice industry, and did not reflect Government views or presuppose a specific outcome regarding the proposals that were discussed.
The Department thanks all participants for sharing their expertise with other members of the Advisory Group and the Department. The Department will continue to consult with industry on any proposed measures as an outcome of the Review.
