Choosing the right advisor can be the difference between a smooth visa pathway and a stressful, expensive do-over. Here’s a practical checklist of questions to ask before you commit—so you understand the plan, the price, and the probability of success.
Registration, Expertise, And Recent Wins
Ask whether your adviser is a registered migration agent (MARN) and/or a practising solicitor. Follow up with, “What are your last three successful matters like mine?” You want specifics—visa subclasses, processing times, and hurdles they solved. If they primarily handle student matters and you’re lodging a partner or employer-sponsored visa, the mismatch in responsibilities is significant.
“What Are My Viable Visa Pathways—And The Trade-Offs?”
A good practitioner will map two to three pathways with pros/cons, eligibility thresholds, and realistic timelines. For example, a skilled path may have a longer lead time but higher permanence, while a temporary work visa could be faster but dependent on sponsorship. Ask which evidence strengthens each route (skills assessment, English results, regional job offers) and which bottlenecks typically slow cases.
Risk Profile and Probability
Invite candour: “What could sink this application?” Look for frank talk about health checks, character issues, gaps in study or work history, or previous compliance breaches. Make sure they explain how they’ll mitigate each risk—extra evidence, statutory declarations, or bridging visa strategies to maintain lawful status.
Document List and Quality Control
“How will you verify my documents before lodgement?” A robust firm runs an internal audit—cross-checking dates, spellings, and translations—to avoid refusals on technicalities. Clarify who chases third-party items (police checks, employment letters, skills assessments) and how long those typically take.
Case Management, Communication, and Accountability
Ask who will actually manage your file day to day. Will you have one point of contact? What’s the average reply time? How often will you receive updates (weekly digest, status portal, milestone emails)? Solid processes prevent panic when the Department requests further information on short notice.
Strategy For Timing and Lawful Stay
If you’re onshore, timing is everything. Ask how the firm will sequence medicals, English tests, skills assessments, and nomination steps so you remain lawful and work-eligible while you wait. If offshore, confirm how they’ll line up job interviews, state nomination windows, or EOI submissions to shorten the overall journey.
Fees, Inclusions, and Refund Logic
Request a written schedule that separates professional fees from government charges and third-party costs. Clarify what’s included (drafting statements, uploading evidence, responding to s56/57 requests) and what triggers extra fees (AAT review, additional applicants, complex health/character submissions). If a matter becomes non-viable, how do refunds work for unperformed services?
Honesty About Success Rates (and refusals)
No one can “guarantee” a visa. Ask for the firm’s track record by visa type and how they handle refusals—do they recommend an AAT review, a fresh application, or a pathway pivot? Their answer should include timelines, cost differentials, and how evidence would be strengthened the second time around.
Employer Sponsorship and HR Coordination
If employer nomination is involved, ask how they support the business: labour market testing templates, nomination documents, and training-levy planning. Clarify who informs HR about visa conditions to avoid accidentally breaching work limitations.
State Nomination and Regional Opportunities
For skilled migrants, Brisbane is attractive—but regional Queensland pathways can be faster. Ask which state criteria fit your profile now, and whether a short stint in a regional role could open stronger invitations later. A savvy adviser checks occupation ceilings, points thresholds, and recent invitation rounds before they recommend a move.
Compliance Planning After The Grant
Visas come with conditions. Ask for a simple compliance plan: how to report changes, maintain records, and avoid unintentional breaches (e.g., switching employers, course changes, or travel while a bridging visa is active). Responsible advisers design the post-grant phase as carefully as the application phase.
Technology and Transparency
“How will I see progress?” Many firms use secure portals to track tasks, upload evidence, and record messages. Transparent tooling means fewer surprises, clearer accountability, and faster responses when the Department calls for more info.
Turnaround Time and Escalation
What’s the firm’s typical prep time from engagement to lodgement? Who escalates if a deadline looms or the Department issues a complex request? Clear internal SLAs protect your application when days matter.
Red-flag Answers To Watch For
Be cautious if you hear: “We can guarantee approval,” “Just lodge now, we’ll fix the evidence later,” or fees that are only quoted verbally. Pressure tactics, secrecy about who will handle your file, or reluctance to give a written scope are all warning signs.
Where to Place Your Keywords (and why)
Search engines and real readers both look for context. Place your primary phrases inside natural sentences mid-page, not just headings. For example: “Working with migration agents in Brisbane who specialise in employer sponsorship can shorten your pre-lodgement timeline,” or “Experienced migration lawyers Brisbane will map contingency plans in case a skills assessment takes longer than expected.” This helps people (and algorithms) connect your problem to the exact service you need.
Final Checklist to Bring to Your Consultation
- Proof of identity, CV, skills assessment status, and English scores
- Visa history and any previous refusals/cancellations
- Health/character disclosures and supporting document
- Employer details (if sponsored) or state nomination interests
- Your questions from the list above—printed, with space for notes
When your adviser answers with clarity, timelines, and evidence-backed strategy, you can sign with confidence and move forward fast.
Ready to talk to a team that prioritises strategy, transparency, and outcomes? Migration Doctors Australia is here to help.
