Request for Expressions of Interest for r​emake of Legislative Instrument 18/003 – Specified courses and exams for registration as a migration agent

​​​​​​​​The Australian Government’s sunsetting framework is available in Part 4 of Chapter 3 of the Legislation Act 2003. It mandates the automatic repeal of legislative instruments after a fixed period. If still needed, these legislative instruments must be remade before their sunsetting date so that they are fit for purpose.

Legislative instrument Migration (IMMI 18/003 - Specified courses and exams for registration as a migration agent) Instrument 2018 (LI 18/003) is due to sunset on 1 April 2026. The Department of Home Affairs (the department) is remaking LI 18/003 to ensure it:

• reflects updated requirements of the regulator, the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)
• aligns with the contemporary knowledge and language requirements expected of the industry.

Course refresh

Nominations opened for submissions from higher education providers, in support of courses proposed for inclusion in the new instrument on 7 July 2025.

All submissions were assessed before consideration for inclusion in the new instrument, including courses listed in LI 18/003. Information for Respondents on how to lodge a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) for consideration was given in the following REOI documents:

• Details
• Terms and Conditions​
• Attachment A Statement of Requirements*​
  
• Attachment B Response Tables​​
• Attachment C Evaluation Process​​

*Note: Attachment A - Section 4.2.7 refers to updates to the standards and performance criteria that may happen after the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents (OCS) review next year. It also refers to any changes to migration agent specific legislation over the life of the course. Course providers needed to provide a plan on how they will review and update their course offerings to account for these changes.

For note: Section 4.3 incorrectly listed the date as 1 April 2025. The correct date is 1 April 2026.​

Outcome fo​​​r Expressions of Interest for remake of Legislative Instrument 18/003 – Specified courses and exams for registration as a migration agent

The following courses were assessed and approved in-principle for inclusion in a new instrument, that will be made by the Minister to replace the current IMMI 18/003 in 2026:​