What can an immigration law firm do that a standard migration agent cannot?

A standard registered migration agent (MARA) can prepare and lodge visa applications and advise on migration law. An immigration law firm can do all of that, plus: provide broader legal advice on your rights and obligations, represent you in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and Federal Courts, advise on the legal implications of visa conditions and sponsorship obligations, and handle matters that involve complex legal issues such as criminal character, fraud allegations, or disputes with sponsors. Loughton Yorke combines both capabilities.

How do I challenge a visa refusal in Western Australia?

If your visa is refused by the Department of Home Affairs, you typically have the right to apply for AAT review within a strict time limit — usually 21 to 70 calendar days depending on the visa class and whether you are onshore or offshore. The AAT can set aside the Department's decision and grant the visa, or affirm the refusal. If the AAT also refuses, you may be able to seek judicial review in the Federal Circuit Court. Loughton Yorke advises on the merits of challenging a refusal and manages the AAT process.

What is WA state nomination and how competitive is it?

WA state nomination is required for the subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas for applicants targeting Western Australia. The WA Skilled Migration Program opens occupation-specific invitation rounds — only nominated occupations are invited in each round. Competition varies by occupation and points score. Loughton Yorke provides a detailed assessment of your points score, occupation outlook, and the likelihood of nomination before you proceed.

Loughton Yorke Lawyers Reviews — 4.3★ on Google | Perth, Australia

About Loughton Yorke Lawyers

Loughton Yorke Lawyers is Perth's highest-ranked MARA-registered immigration law firm, holding MARN 1465407. Operating from Perth CBD, the firm's solicitors and registered migration agents advise on the full range of Australian visas with particular expertise in skilled migration, employer-sponsored visas, and partner visa applications. As an immigration law firm, Loughton Yorke can provide legal advice and represent clients before the AAT and Federal Courts. The firm is known for its detailed eligibility analyses and personalised service for both individual and corporate clients across Western Australia.

Our research

ConsultancyCheck's own assessment, from public records and the company's own materials. This is our judgement — not a summary of student reviews.

Strengths

✓Perth's top-ranked MARA-registered immigration law firm — legal-level advice combined with migration agent expertise
✓Can represent clients before the AAT and Federal Courts — critical for visa refusal and cancellation matters
✓Handles complex eligibility matters including character issues and health waivers that standard agents cannot advise on
✓Detailed eligibility analysis approach — not a volume-based lodgement service

Limitations

!Very limited review base (6 reviews) — makes independent assessment of recent performance difficult
!Fee range of AUD $3,500–$10,000 is at the premium end for Perth migration services
!4.3 rating across 6 reviews is difficult to assess meaningfully — direct referral or professional enquiry recommended

How Loughton Yorke Lawyers get paid

AUD 3,500–10,000

Confirm exactly what you will be charged, and what happens to that money if your visa is refused. Get it in writing before you pay anything. An agent that will not put its fees in writing is telling you something.

Who it suits

▸Perth skilled workers and employers with complex eligibility questions that require legal-level advice
▸Clients whose visa application has been refused or visa cancelled, needing AAT or Federal Court representation
▸Businesses in Western Australia requiring detailed legal advice on sponsorship obligations and compliance

What they do

Destinations

Australia

Specialisations

Skilled MigrationEmployer SponsoredPartner VisasStudent Visas

Services

WA State NominationEmployer Sponsored VisasImmigration Law Advice

Languages

English

What students say

✓ 0 ConsultancyCheck reviewsG 4.3 · 6 Google reviews

Write a Review

James Osbourne

2 years ago

★★★★★

Strongly recommend the services of Crawford Yorke and his team at Loughton Yorke Lawyers. Crawford provided us with some alternative approaches to a dispute that efficiently resolved the matter without the need to expensively go to court.