New legislation to crackdown on ‘dodgy’ migration agents to begin next month

The federal government has introduced new legislation to tighten the regulation of registered migration agents. Taking effect on 1 April 2026, the four new legislative instruments include an updated list of approved education providers authorised to deliver mandatory registration courses, along with strengthened professional development requirements for existing agents. Additionally, the Migration Agents Office has ramped up its regulatory oversight, issuing a significantly higher number of sanctions in response to breaches of professional conduct. Two migration agents share their take on the new legislation.