How to Verify an Education Agent: Provider-Published Agent Lists and the QEAC Register
Verify an education agent by checking the Australian provider's published agent list and the QEAC register, and confirm visa advice comes only from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner.
To verify an education agent, start with the Australian education provider’s own published agent list and the Qualified Education Agent Counsellors (QEAC) register. Under Australian migration law, only a registered migration agent or an Australian legal practitioner may give visa advice.
Check the provider’s published agent list
Every Australian university and many other providers publish the education agents they work with on their website. If an agent does not appear on the provider’s list, they are not authorised to represent that institution. Use the provider’s official site — not a third‑party directory — to confirm the relationship.
Search the QEAC register
The Qualified Education Agent Counsellors List (QEAC) is a searchable database of counsellors who have completed the ICEF agent training course and agreed to the QEAC code of conduct. An agent’s presence on this list shows they have met a baseline professional standard. Cross‑reference the agent’s name or business with the QEAC register before engaging them.
Confirm who can give visa advice
Education agents who are not also registered migration agents must not provide immigration assistance. You can verify a migration agent’s registration on the Register of Migration Agents maintained by the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). If an agent offers visa strategy or document preparation for a visa application, ask for their MARA registration number and check it yourself.
Watch for red flags
- Guarantees: No agent can guarantee a Student visa grant, course completion, or any future migration outcome such as permanent residency.
- Fee transparency: Some agents are paid by providers; that cost is typically built into tuition fees. Ask for a full fee breakdown and compare several agents. Unusually low or high fees can indicate undisclosed arrangements.
- Written agreement: Insist on a contract that states the fees, the exact services included, and the refund policy. Do not proceed without it.
Questions to ask before you sign
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Which education providers do you represent? | Agents paid by specific providers may only promote those institutions. |
| What is the fee breakdown for your services? | Clarifies what you pay for and whether the provider also pays the agent. |
| How will you keep me informed during the application? | Sets expectations for communication and timelines. |
| Are you a registered migration agent? | Only registered agents or Australian legal practitioners can legally give visa advice. |
Onshore transfer rules
Since recent changes, education providers are banned from paying agents commission to recruit students who are already studying in Australia. Agents and providers also must not offer gifts, vouchers, cash, or rewards to induce enrolment or transfer. If you are already onshore and considering a provider change, seek guidance from your current institution first.