Apply as an Australian registered migration agent
You must hold a New Zealand immigration adviser licence to provide New Zealand immigration advice. If you’re registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) in Australia, you can apply for a New Zealand immigration adviser licence using the process set out in the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (TTMRA).
The process to prepare and submit an application for a New Zealand immigration adviser licence under the TTMRA is detailed below. This will require you to submit an online application with the Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA).
The TTMRA recognises Australia’s regulatory standards regarding equivalent-registered occupations, and streamlines the licensing process.
A person who is granted a New Zealand immigration advisers licence under the TTMRA must comply with:
- the New Zealand Licensed Immigration Advisers Code of Conduct
- the Immigration Advisers Competency Standards.
Initial applications under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007
If want to provide New Zealand immigration advice but are not an Australian registered migration agent, you can submit an initial application under the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.
Make an application under the TTMRA
When making an application under the TTMRA, you will need:
- a digital passport quality photograph.
- a certified copy of your personal identification.
- a certified copy of a document that confirms you are a currently registered OMARA agent, such as your OMARA registration certificate or a screenshot of your current register page from the OMARA website.
- a completed Form 401A: Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 Notice, including a declaration of whether you are subject to any special conditions.
- if applicable, the details of any special conditions to which you are subject.
- a credit or debit card to pay your application fee. Alternatively, if you have not-for-profit status, a letter from the Immigration Advisers Authority confirming this.
Form 401A: Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 Notice [PDF, 255 KB]
All documents must be in PDF, PNG or JPG format with a maximum file size of 10 MB. Digital photographs must be in PNG or JPG format.
Before you submit an application, you need to get someone to certify your personal identification and witness any statutory declarations.
For more detailed information on how to prepare and submit your licensing application, please see our Licensing Toolkit. You can also find guidance on this page if you were previously licensed but wish to re-enter into the profession under the provisions of the TTMRA.
What happens next
When we receive your application, we will send a request to OMARA to check your registration and see if any conditions have been imposed on it. Until the Registrar releases a determination on your application, you are considered to be a licensed immigration adviser.
Once your licence application has been approved-in-principle, we’ll advise you and request that you pay the levy. You will be able to login and pay your levy online.
Once your levy is paid, your details will be added to the register of licensed immigration advisers. You will be able to download a digital licence from the Immigration Advisers Authority online portal.
If your application is refused
The Registrar may refuse your application for a licence under the TTMRA. If this happens, you will be informed in writing of the outcome of your application. The refusal and your name and details will be listed on the public register of licensed immigration advisers.
If your licence application under the TTMRA is refused, you have the right to appeal to the Trans-Tasman Occupations Tribunal established by the Ministry of Justice to hear appeals under the TTMRA.
Trans-Tasman Occupations Tribunal(external link) – Ministry of Justice
Licence renewal and continuing professional development
New Zealand immigration adviser licences are issued for 12 months, and must be renewed annually.
Licences normally expire at 11.59pm NZT on the date recorded on the Register of Immigration Advisers. If you intend to continue providing New Zealand immigration advice, you must submit a renewal application on or before the date on which your licence expires.
The Immigration Advisers Competency Standards also require that licensed immigration advisers engage in 20 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) activities each licensing period. As a licensed immigration adviser, you must keep a CPD plan and record for each licensing period, which the IAA may inspect at your licence renewal.
Application costs
All costs are in New Zealand dollars (NZD).
Licence fees contribute to the cost of processing and assessing all applications. Levies contribute to the cost of funding the other functions of the Immigration Advisers Authority and the full Immigration Advisers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal costs.
| Costs | Ordinarily resident in NZ (including GST) |
Not ordinarily resident in NZ |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $909.78 | $791.11 |
| Levy | $1,129.55 | $982.22 |
| Total | $2,039.33 | $1,773.33 |
Processing times
The Registrar will release a determination within 1 month of receiving your complete initial licence application under the TTMRA.
Become an Australian registered migrant agent
If you're a New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser who wants to provide Australian immigration advice, you must apply to be registered with the OMARA under the TTMRA.
Make an application(external link) — Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority