The Australian High Commission in Dhaka has issued a special warning to Bangladeshis seeking to migrate to Australia.
The development came following allegations that fraudulent migration agents are taking money from citizens by falsely promising them opportunities to live and work in the country.
The warning was issued on Saturday through the Australian High Commission’s verified Facebook page.
The mission advised Bangladeshis seeking Australian visas to exercise caution and verify the credentials of migration agents before seeking their services.
Use registered migration agents
The High Commission said one reliable way to obtain accurate visa advice is to use the services of an Australian-registered migration agent, who may also operate in Bangladesh, or an Australian legal practitioner.
Under Australia’s migration agent code of conduct, all registered Australian migration agents must comply with prescribed professional and ethical standards, the High Commission said.
These include charging fair and reasonable fees for their services, providing clients with written details of the services they will provide and their costs, and informing clients of the outcome of their visa applications as soon as reasonably possible.
The High Commission has advised prospective migrants to consult its consumer guide for information about the services and responsibilities of registered migration agents.
It also recommended using the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) self-service portal to search the register and verify whether a migration agent is registered.
Those seeking the services of an Australian legal practitioner have also been advised to consult the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ guidance on using a legal practitioner.
The High Commission urged prospective migrants to verify all migration-related information and avoid making payments to unverified individuals or agencies offering guaranteed Australian visas, jobs or residency.
