The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has released important parameters to ensure technology serves the best interests of visa applicants. The latest OMARA guidance on AI clarifies that while efficiency is a benefit, the legal and ethical responsibilities of a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) remain absolute. For clients of This is Australia, this development highlights the critical importance of human oversight in complex visa matters.

Key Requirements of the OMARA Guidance on AI

The core message of the OMARA guidance on AI is that technological tools do not absolve an agent of their duties under the Migration Agents Code of Conduct. An agent must personally verify the accuracy of all information and advice provided to a client, regardless of whether it was generated by an AI tool (Source: OMARA).

Agents are expected to maintain professional competence in their use of technology. This involves understanding the limitations of Large Language Models (LLMs), which may occasionally hallucinate or provide outdated legislative information. In an industry where a single error can lead to a visa refusal, the reliance on AI without rigorous human vetting is considered a significant risk to the consumer.

Privacy and Professional Responsibility

A significant portion of the guidance focuses on the protection of sensitive client data. When RMAs input personal details into third-party AI platforms, they must ensure they are not breaching Australian privacy laws or their confidentiality obligations. OMARA emphasises that agents are responsible for the security of the data they manage.

A non-obvious insight from this guidance is that the use of AI to draft submissions could potentially lead to a breach of the Code of Conduct if the agent cannot prove they have independently reviewed and applied the law to the client’s specific facts.

Because AI lacks the lived experience of dealing with the Department of Home Affairs, it cannot replace the strategic nuance required for high-stakes migration services.

The Future of Migration Advice

The OMARA guidance on AI does not ban the use of technology; rather, it encourages a hybrid model where AI supports-but never replaces-the expert. For visa applicants, this means you should look for firms that embrace innovation to improve speed but maintain a human-in-the-loop approach to ensure every submission is legally sound and factually correct.

While AI is a powerful assistant for administrative tasks, the final advice must always come from a registered professional who is accountable to the OMARA and the Australian government.

Contact This is Australia

For professional assistance with your Australian migration matter, speak with This is Australia.

Call +61 (0)7 5592 0755 or contact our team to discuss your next steps.