7 things to think about before hiring a migration agent

I emigrated from the UK in 1996 and moved to New Zealand. In 2012 I moved to Australia and am now in the throes of applying for residency and citizenship here. I have had mixed experiences with migration agents, so here's a few thoughts based on what I have learned. Hopefully it will be useful to you if you are thinking about emigrating to another country.

1. Do you need a migration agent?
There's no doubt about it, emigrating to another country is expensive so applying for visas etc by yourself can significantly reduce costs. I looked into hiring a migration agent when I moved from the UK to New Zealand but decided that I could manage the process myself. The process was extremely straight forward, and I was pleased to save myself over one thousand pounds (20 years ago). However, I am finding that it is a very different kettle of fish to obtain Australian residency now, in my particular situation. And there is no way I could manage the process by myself, so I have chosen to hire a migration agent this time.

If you have a straight-forward application for a visa, it may be perfectly achievable to do the application yourself. However, if you have any doubts, or if your situation is in any way complex, you're probably better off going with a migration agent who knows what he is doing.

2. Is the migration agent accredited with a recognised authority?
Every country has its own migration agent accrediting authority - in Australia, it is Migration Agents Registered Authority (MARA). In no circumstances would I give my money to a migration agent who was not registered. If you do, and everything turns to custard, you will most likely have no avenue for recompense.

3. Can you speak to someone else who has used his services?
Nothing beats a personal recommendation. If you cannot find anyone to recommend the agent, do an internet search and have a careful look at his website. And if you can, have a chat to the agent first before hiring him to take on your case. 

4. Does the migration agent know his stuff?
I hired an agent a year ago to take on my case, but the alarm bells rang very soon when he kept changing the advice he gave me, which included getting me to spend $500 on a process that I didn't need. In the end, I was telling him what to do! Thankfully, I was able to retrieve my deposit from him and I have engaged another agent who very clearly knows what he is doing.

It's worth doing as much homework as you can before you talk to an agent so you have some sense of how accurate the information is that he is giving you.  

5. How does his costs compare with other agents?
It's worth comparing costs, which can vary from agent to agent. It is also worth checking what costs are required and when. You will need to be prepared to hand over a significant deposit when you first hire an agent.   

6. Does the agent have the time to work on your case?
The first agent I hired clearly was extremely busy and I found it difficult to communicate with him. You spend enough on migration agents so you want to make sure that you hire one who will be totally on your case. 

7. How good is the agent's communication with you?
Emigrating can be complicated so you need a migration agent who can clearly communicate to you the processes, and requirements that you need to meet. If you are unable to understand what the agent is talking about, then you probably need to find another who you can better connect with.

Have you emigrated to another country? What tips would you pass on about choosing a migration agent?

Concerns about insurance for Kiwi nurses and midwives

As health professionals, nurses and midwives in Australia must have professional indemnity insurance to be able to practice - this is a regulatory/legal requirement. If we don't have insurance, we are unable to go about our jobs and may lose our registration if we practice without adequate insurance.

In the last few days it has been revealed that the ANZ has discontinued insurance to Kiwis because they are deemed to be temporary residents, and not permanent residents, due to changes to visa regulations for New Zealanders in 2001.

This has raised a number about questions about insurance for Kiwis, and the message that those of us who are Kiwis living in Australia need to take on is to check the terms and conditions of any insurance packages (or any other financial arrangements). If the T&C exclude anyone who is not a permanent resisdent or citizen, then Kiwis may have serious cause for concern.

As for New Zealand nurses and midwives living in Australia, my advice is to check terms of insurance with anyone who provides professional indemnity insurance for practice:

• hospital employers, 
• employment agencies, 
• Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation,
• Australian College of Midwives (provides 'travel to work'  cover for members)
• MIGA (insurance for private midwives)  

This will probably turn out to be a storm in a tea cup but in the meantime,  please let me know if you find out any additional information about this issue.
 

Moving to Australia? Kiwis beware!

One of the joys of being a Kiwi ie a citizen of New Zealand, is that you can freely move back and forth from New Zealand to Australia. The Trans-Tasmin Mutual Recognition means there is fluidity between the two countries, and certainly makes life a lot easier for New Zealand nurses and midwives obtaining registration in Australia.

However, as a Kiwi who has moved permanently to Australia I have found out that life is not as straight forward as I expected, especially for those who want to settle and retire in Australia. So if you are moving to Australia from New Zealand, here are three things (amongst others!) you need to think about before you arrive.

1. Residency and citizenship
In my naivety I thought that there were conditions that I had to meet after a certain period of time and then as a Kiwi I would be granted permanent residency and citizenship. That is not the case. In fact, it is very difficult to get citizenship here as a Kiwi, especially if you are over the age of 50.  

Just about the only way you get get residency is if you are sponsored by your employer. So if you are thinking about moving over, talk to your potential employer first to make sure he supports this and your situation meets all the criteria for sponsorship.


2. Pension
I was told by my KiwiSaver provider that I could transfer my pension over to Australia, just as Australians may do when they move to New Zealand. And indeed, it is legally possible to do this. However, at the moment only one pension fund in Australia accepts transfer - WA Super. I am about to start the process of transferring my KiwiSaver over to WA Super - I'll let you know how that goes.


3. Impact of not having citizenship
As a Kiwi, I can work, live and die in Australia....as long as I can self-fund. This means that if I need access to government funding, eg financial help with study (student loan), pension, disability or unemployment benefit, I am not entitled to apply.

There are also a number of jobs I cannot apply for, such as bureaucratic jobs with federal government or armed forces, and I cannot access scholarships such as the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme. Obviously I pay tax, but I am unable to vote. The only good news is that educational fees are set at local level, and Kiwis are not required to pay International fees.

This is in direct contrast with how Australians are treated when they move to New Zealand, and there are currently campaigns being led to lobby Australian government to iron out the inconsistencies that face Kiwis in Australia.

Are you a Kiwi living in Australia who has managed to get permanent residency or citizenship? How did you manage it?