The Department's complaint: "A number of Partner visa applications were lodged via an ImmiAccount where no migration agent was declared. For other applications using this same ImmiAccount the Agent was declared as the migration agent. The Agent is listed as the account holder of this ImmiAccount...". OMARA: "It is reasonable to conclude that by not declaring his involvement the Agent has attempted to avoid accountability, and hence has acted contrary to the purpose of the regulatory framework".
To avoid doubt, the writer is not expressing an opinion on the conduct of the Agent or anyone else nor on the OMARA’s decision. This article is a mere extract of a decision and should not be interpreted in any other way.
The sanction was prompted by a complaint made by the Department of Home Affairs. According to the OMARA's decision, the complaint alleged that:
- "A number of Partner visa applications were lodged via an ImmiAccount where no migration agent was declared. For other applications using this same ImmiAccount the Agent was declared as the migration agent.
- The Agent is listed as the account holder of this ImmiAccount.
- For some of these Partner visa applications the Agent was declared as the marriage celebrant, and for one application he was declared as both marriage celebrant and migration agent".
In summary, the OMARA found as follows: ...