Overview

The Migration Agents Registration Authority has enacted the notice MIGRATION AGENTS(CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT – PROGRAM OF EDUCATION) MN32 - 04 of 2004, which revokes the previous notice MN14 - 04 of 2004 and specifies a new program of education as an approved activity under clause 3 of Schedule 1 to the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. This notice, which took effect from 1 April 1998, is intended to regulate the continuing professional development of migration agents, ensuring that they maintain the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective services to clients. The Authority's role in specifying approved activities reflects the policy objective of maintaining high standards within the migration industry.

Scope and Application

The Migration Agents Registration Authority has issued a notice under the Migration Agents Regulations 1998, revoking the previous notice MN14-04 concerning approved activities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and specifying new activities for CPD as part of the requirements under the Migration Act 1958. This notice is applicable to migration agents who must comply with the CPD requirements to maintain their registration. The revised activities are specified in the Schedule to the notice, which details the name of the activity, the provider, whether it is a core or elective activity, and the value in points for each activity. The revised notice is effective from 1 April 1998, indicating that the Authority can update the approved CPD activities as needed. This notice ensures that migration agents can continue to meet their professional development obligations under the Act and Regulations, facilitating compliance with ongoing education requirements to maintain their registration status.

Key Provisions

The key provisions of this legislative instrument revolve around the revocation of an earlier notice and the specification of a new program of education for continuing professional development for migration agents. Section 1 of the instrument revokes the notice titled Migration Agents (Continuing Professional Development – Program of Education) MN14 - 04 of 2004, published on 30 March 2004. This revocation is necessary to replace the outdated educational program with the new one specified in this notice. Section 2 of the instrument specifies a new program of education, as detailed in the columns of the schedule, which includes the name of the activity, the provider, the status (core or elective), and the value in points for each activity. These activities are now approved for the purposes of clause 3 of Schedule 1 to the Migration Agents Regulations 1998. The obligations and requirements imposed by this legislative instrument pertain to the professional development of migration agents. The new program of education specified in the schedule must be followed by registered migration agents to maintain their registration. Each listed activity has a status of either 'core' or 'elective', indicating the type of professional development required. The points assigned to each activity reflect the importance and value of the educational program, which must be completed to fulfil the continuing professional development requirements. This ensures that migration agents remain updated on relevant migration laws and practices, thereby maintaining the integrity and competence of the profession. The legislative instrument does not explicitly state any offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for non-compliance with the specified program of education. However, it is reasonable to infer that failure to complete the required continuing professional development activities could result in disciplinary action against the migration agent's registration. The Migration Agents Registration Authority has the power to take action against agents who do not meet the professional development requirements, which could include suspension or cancellation of their registration. The potential penalties for such actions are not detailed in this notice but are governed by the broader provisions of the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Agents Registration Act 2004.