Thinking about migrating to Australia as a nurse or skilled professional?

There’s one crucial thing you need to know before you start: not all advice is created equal.

Many people assume that lawyers and registered migration agents are the same. But in reality, their qualifications, legal authority, and the protections they offer you are vastly different—and making the wrong choice could cost you time, money, and even your dream of migrating to Australia.

Here’s what you must understand before you entrust your future to anyone.

1. Lawyers and Migration Agents: The Qualifications Matter

First, let’s clear up the confusion.

Migration agents must complete a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice, pass a capstone exam, and register with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Once registered, they can provide advice on migration law only—specifically, visa applications and migration processes. Their role is important, but their legal scope is limited.

Lawyers are very different. We have confused clients asking us for MARN regularly - this is a big misunderstanding we hope to clear up for you 🤓

Lawyers complete a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) (a minimum of 4 years of university education), followed by a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, and must undergo at least two years of supervised practice before they can hold an Unrestricted Practising Certificate. Even then, they must still work under a law firm or a principal lawyer until they complete an additional Principal Practising Certificate Course and are granted a Principal Practising Certificate—only then can they operate fully independently.

They are enrolled with the Supreme Court and regulated by their state’s Law Society—not the MARA.

This level of training means immigration lawyers can advise not just on migration law, but also on areas like:

• Employment law
  

• Healthcare law
  

• Family law
  

• Contract law
  

• Criminal law
  

• Social security law
  

• International law
  

Migration agents cannot do this.

This matters because migration processes often overlap with other legal issues, especially for nurses and skilled migrants starting new lives in Australia.

2. Attorney-Client Privilege: Your Legal Safety Net

One of the other key differences is attorney-client privilege.

When you work with an immigration lawyer, everything you share is legally protected. Lawyers cannot be forced to reveal your private communications—even to government agencies—without your consent.

Migration agents do not have attorney-client privilege.

While they are expected to maintain client confidentiality, if documents or information are subpoenaed or requested by authorities, they must hand them over.

When your future is at stake, full legal confidentiality matters.

3. Why Proper Legal Strategy Is Critical for Your Migration Success

Navigating Australia’s migration system isn’t just about filling out forms.

You must understand:

• Registration processes (such as AHPRA for nurses)
  

• Skills assessments (such as ANMAC)
  

• Visa eligibility points
  

• Partner and dependent rules
  

• Legal risks with employment contracts
  

For example, in Australia, employers cannot guarantee permanent residency, even if they promise it in an employment contract. Migration law and employment law are separate—and only a qualified lawyer can advise across both areas.

At SOLVi Migration, we don’t just file forms—we build your entire legal migration strategy from registration, skills assessment, visa nomination, to successful visa grant.

4. Verifying Credentials: Who Can You Trust?
Before you engage anyone to help with your migration, always check their credentials.

• Migration agents can be verified through the MARA register.
  

• Lawyers can be verified through their state’s Law Society or Legal Practice Board.
  

🔍 Remember: Lawyers do not have MARN numbers (Migration Agent Registration Numbers). Instead, they hold Legal Practising Certificates, issued by their Law Society.

If someone says they’re both a migration agent and a lawyer, check carefully. Once a lawyer holds an Unrestricted Practising Certificate, they cannot also remain registered as a migration agent. The two systems are separate - if they still hold a MARN, then they must still be under the supervision of a senior lawyer.

5. Real Protection, Real Strategy, Real Expertise

At SOLVi Migration, our entire team is built differently.

We are a law firm specialising in healthcare migration.

We guide you through every step:

✅ Gaining your AHPRA registration

✅ Passing your skills assessment with ANMAC

✅ Preparing Expressions of Interest and securing nomination

✅ Managing your visa application

✅ Advising on your family’s inclusion and future planning

And because we are lawyers, we can advise on much more—including protecting your rights under employment law, healthcare regulations, and family law if you need it.

We don’t cut corners. We don’t give you false hope.

We give you real, expert guidance to secure your future.

Ready to Get the Right Help?

🌟 If you want trusted legal advice to migrate successfully to Australia, including your registration and other legal questions, book a paid legal consultation with SOLVi Migration today:

👉 www.solvi.com.au 

🌟 If you’re just starting out and need guidance to secure your AHPRA registration, join our Nurse Registration Course for clear, affordable support and a thriving online community:

👉 www.nurseregistration.com 

DISCLAIMER: This content is for educational purposes only and nothing in this content or its description constitutes legal advice. For advice on your personal circumstances, please make an appointment at SOLVi Migration www.solvi.com.au Copyright SOLVI PTY LTD 2025.

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🔹 Website: www.solvi.com.au