The Department of Immigration and Border Control frequently issues warnings about the dangers of using an unregistered migration agent and now it has publicised the latest details of dishonest behaviour.
A Melbourne migration agent with a history of rogue actions has had his registration cancelled for submitting false documents on behalf of a visa applicant.
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash, said the case serves as a warning to both migration agents and visa applicants to act lawfully.
'In this case, not only has the registration of the migration agent been cancelled but his client has also been prosecuted for presenting false documents to have his trade qualification assessed,' she said.
'Visa applicants need to remember that those representing them must adhere to a code of conduct and that their behaviour can pose a serious risk to the applicant,' she added.
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) found that agent Rudy Frugtniet had knowingly submitted a false work history and reference to support his client's skilled assessment application to obtain a skilled migrant visa.
Cash explained that it was not the first time this particular agent had found himself under scrutiny. The former agent was also disqualified by the Law Institute of Victoria for misrepresenting to a Court that he was a legal practitioner, had his tax agent registration terminated for failure to disclose full information about himself and was permanently banned from engaging in credit activities by ASIC for misleading information on a credit licence application.
'This Government is committed to ensuring those who seek to engage in fraudulent behaviour [are] investigated and prosecuted as it is essential that Australians retain faith in the integrity of our migration programme,' Cash said.
She also reminded visa applicants that only people who are registered with MARA are permitted to give immigration assistance and registered agents must meet a Code of Conduct and be a fit and proper person to provide that assistance.
People wishing to check if an individual is registered as a migration agent can do so by visiting MARA's website at www.mara.gov.au.
Meanwhile the department's ImmiAccount, an online tool that allows applicants and agents to select, complete, lodge, track and pay for an increasing number of services, has celebrated its first birthday.
Since its launch in 2013, more than 1.5 million accounts have been created, more than two million applications have been submitted, and attachments in excess of 21 million have been uploaded.
Of these 1.5 million accounts, more than 41,000 are organisation accounts, reflecting the strong take-up of ImmiAccount by agents and sponsoring companies. Further developments and enhancements to ImmiAccount are scheduled for 2015.
A Melbourne migration agent with a history of rogue actions has had his registration cancelled for submitting false documents on behalf of a visa applicant.
Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Michaelia Cash, said the case serves as a warning to both migration agents and visa applicants to act lawfully.
'In this case, not only has the registration of the migration agent been cancelled but his client has also been prosecuted for presenting false documents to have his trade qualification assessed,' she said.
'Visa applicants need to remember that those representing them must adhere to a code of conduct and that their behaviour can pose a serious risk to the applicant,' she added.
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) found that agent Rudy Frugtniet had knowingly submitted a false work history and reference to support his client's skilled assessment application to obtain a skilled migrant visa.
Cash explained that it was not the first time this particular agent had found himself under scrutiny. The former agent was also disqualified by the Law Institute of Victoria for misrepresenting to a Court that he was a legal practitioner, had his tax agent registration terminated for failure to disclose full information about himself and was permanently banned from engaging in credit activities by ASIC for misleading information on a credit licence application.
'This Government is committed to ensuring those who seek to engage in fraudulent behaviour [are] investigated and prosecuted as it is essential that Australians retain faith in the integrity of our migration programme,' Cash said.
She also reminded visa applicants that only people who are registered with MARA are permitted to give immigration assistance and registered agents must meet a Code of Conduct and be a fit and proper person to provide that assistance.
People wishing to check if an individual is registered as a migration agent can do so by visiting MARA's website at www.mara.gov.au.
Meanwhile the department's ImmiAccount, an online tool that allows applicants and agents to select, complete, lodge, track and pay for an increasing number of services, has celebrated its first birthday.
Since its launch in 2013, more than 1.5 million accounts have been created, more than two million applications have been submitted, and attachments in excess of 21 million have been uploaded.
Of these 1.5 million accounts, more than 41,000 are organisation accounts, reflecting the strong take-up of ImmiAccount by agents and sponsoring companies. Further developments and enhancements to ImmiAccount are scheduled for 2015.