You need a MARA-registered agent for official Australian immigration advice — education consultants without MARA registration cannot legally advise on Australian visas. In practice: education consultants handle admissions and course selection; MARA agents handle the visa. Many Nepali consultancies employ both or partner with MARA agents. For straightforward cases, some students apply independently. For complex cases (previous refusals, finance complications), always use a registered MARA agent. Verify registration at mara.gov.au.