When international students start planning their study abroad journey, two types of professionals come up constantly: education consultants and migration agents. Many students assume they are the same thing. They are not — and confusing them can lead to costly mistakes.
What Is an Education Consultant?
An education consultant (also called a study abroad agent or overseas education consultant) helps students choose universities, prepare applications, and navigate the admissions process. Their core services typically include:
- Helping you choose the right course and university based on your academic background and career goals
- Reviewing and preparing your application documents (transcripts, SOP, references)
- Advising on English language test requirements (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL)
- Submitting applications to universities on your behalf
- Helping you understand and accept conditional or unconditional offers
Education consultants are not required to hold any government licence in most countries to do this work. This means quality varies enormously — from excellent, ethical operators to outright scams. Always check reviews on ConsultancyCheck before engaging any consultancy.
What Is a Migration Agent?
A migration agent (also called an immigration consultant or immigration lawyer) is a licensed professional who is legally authorised to advise on and lodge visa applications on behalf of clients. In Australia, they must be registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) and hold a current Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN).
Migration agents handle:
- Assessing your visa eligibility
- Advising on which visa subclass is right for your situation
- Preparing and lodging visa applications to the Department of Home Affairs
- Responding to requests for further information from immigration authorities
- Advising on bridging visas, visa conditions, and appeals
- Managing complex cases including refusals, cancellations, and tribunal hearings
Only registered migration agents and Australian legal practitioners can charge fees to give immigration advice in Australia. Anyone else giving immigration advice for payment is acting illegally.
In Canada, the equivalent is a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) registered with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). In the UK, the equivalent is a registered OISC adviser.
Key Differences at a Glance
Education consultants focus on university admissions; migration agents focus on visa applications. Education consultants are usually not licensed; migration agents are government-registered. Only migration agents can legally lodge visa applications. Education consultants are minimally regulated; migration agents are heavily regulated.
Do You Need Both?
Many students use both — an education consultant for the university application, and a registered migration agent for the student visa. Some consultancies offer both services in-house (with a licensed agent on staff). If a single business offers both, confirm that a MARA-registered agent (with a valid MARN) is actually handling the visa work.
For a standard student visa application with a straightforward case, a good education consultancy familiar with the visa process may be sufficient. If your case involves prior visa refusals, complex financial situations, health issues, or character concerns, a registered migration agent is strongly recommended.
Red Flags to Watch For
- An education consultant who claims to "handle the visa" without a registered migration agent on staff
- Anyone charging for immigration advice who is not MARA-registered in Australia
- Consultancies that lodge visa applications themselves without disclosing that their staff are not licensed
Finding the Right Professional
To find a registered migration agent in Australia, verify their MARN at mara.gov.au. For education consultancies, read independent student reviews on ConsultancyCheck.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can an education consultant lodge my Australian student visa?
Only a registered migration agent (MARA-registered) or an Australian legal practitioner can legally charge fees to give immigration advice or lodge visa applications in Australia. An education consultant who is not a registered migration agent cannot legally do this for payment.
What is a MARN number?
A Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN) is the unique identifier for a registered migration agent in Australia. You can verify any agent's MARN and current registration status at mara.gov.au. Always check before engaging an agent.
Is it possible for one person to be both an education consultant and a migration agent?
Yes. Some professionals hold both MARA registration and work as education consultants. Many larger consultancies also employ registered migration agents in-house. Always confirm who specifically is handling the visa work and verify their MARN.
Do I need a migration agent for a student visa in Australia?
For straightforward student visa applications, many students successfully apply themselves or through their education consultancy. A registered migration agent becomes particularly valuable if you have had a previous visa refusal, health or character concerns, complex financial circumstances, or if you are planning to transition to a graduate or permanent residency visa later.
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