How to Get More Migration Clients in Australia: 12 Proven Strategies

Referrals remain the single most valuable source of clients for most migration agents. But hoping for referrals isn't a strategy — you need a system.

Ask at the right time. The best moment to ask for a referral is immediately after a successful visa grant, when your client is thrilled. Send a congratulatory email that includes a simple request: "If you know anyone who needs migration assistance, I'd be grateful for the introduction."

Make it easy. Give clients a shareable link to your profile or a simple referral card (digital or physical). The fewer steps involved, the more likely they are to follow through.

Consider a referral incentive. While you must comply with the MARA Code of Conduct, offering a small thank-you gift or discount on future services for successful referrals is generally acceptable. Check the current guidelines to be sure.

Track your referrals. Know which clients refer the most, which channels they come from, and what your referral-to-client conversion rate is. This data helps you double down on what works.

When potential clients search for a migration agent, they often start with directories and comparison sites. Being listed — and listed well — matters enormously.

Claim your free profile on the Migration Agent Directory. Every MARA-registered agent has a profile, but unclaimed profiles only show basic registration data. Claimed profiles include your photo, bio, specialisations, languages, and contact details — making you far more likely to receive enquiries.

Complete every field. Profiles with photos receive significantly more clicks. Add your areas of expertise, the visa types you specialise in, and the languages you speak. Clients filter by these criteria, so incomplete profiles are invisible profiles.

Keep it current. Update your listing when you add new services, move offices, or gain new qualifications. Stale profiles erode trust.

Google My Business (GMB) is free and extraordinarily powerful for local search. When someone searches "migration agent near me" or "migration agent [suburb]", GMB results appear above organic listings.

Claim and verify your GMB profile if you haven't already. Add your business hours, services, photos of your office, and a detailed description including the visa types you handle.

Collect Google reviews. Reviews are the single biggest factor in GMB rankings. After every successful case, send clients a direct link to leave a Google review. Aim for at least 20 reviews with a 4.5+ average to stand out.

Post regularly. GMB allows you to publish posts — use these to share visa news, case studies (anonymised), or tips. Regular posting signals to Google that your business is active.

Content marketing works for migration agents because your potential clients have endless questions. Blog posts, videos, and guides that answer these questions build trust before a client ever contacts you.

Focus on questions your clients actually ask. Topics like "How much does a partner visa cost?", "What documents do I need for a skilled visa?", and "How long does processing take?" drive consistent search traffic.

Write for your specific audience. If you specialise in employer-sponsored visas, create detailed guides about the subclass 482 process. If you work with a specific community, consider content in their language.

Publish consistently. One well-written article per month is better than a burst of ten posts followed by six months of silence. Search engines reward consistency.

Migration agents who embed themselves in their local community build trust that no amount of advertising can buy.

Partner with settlement services. Organisations that help new migrants settle in Australia often receive visa-related questions they can't answer. Build a referral relationship where you provide free initial consultations to their clients.

Engage with cultural organisations. Community groups, religious organisations, and cultural centres are trusted by potential clients. Offer to give free information sessions about visa pathways — not sales pitches, but genuine education.

Connect with employers. Businesses that hire sponsored workers need reliable agents. Approach HR departments and offer to be their go-to migration advisor. One good employer relationship can generate dozens of clients per year.

Social media isn't optional for migration agents in 2026, but you don't need to be on every platform.

Choose your platform wisely. Facebook groups remain excellent for reaching migrant communities. LinkedIn works well for employer-sponsored and business visa leads. Instagram and TikTok work if you're comfortable with video content.

Join community groups. Facebook groups for specific migrant communities (e.g., "Filipinos in Melbourne", "Indian Professionals in Sydney") are where potential clients discuss visa issues daily. Contribute helpful answers — not advertisements — and position yourself as an expert.

Share results, not promises. Post about visa grants (with client permission), immigration news updates, and practical tips. Avoid making guarantees about outcomes, which violates the MARA Code of Conduct.

Free consultations can be powerful lead generators, but they can also drain your time if not managed properly.

Set clear boundaries. A free consultation should be 15-20 minutes, focused on understanding the client's situation and explaining how you can help. It's not a free advice session — it's a meeting to determine fit.

Use a booking system. Tools like Calendly or Acuity reduce no-shows and let clients book at their convenience. Require a brief questionnaire before the call so you can prepare.

Qualify leads first. Not every enquiry deserves a free consultation. Use your enquiry form or initial email exchange to filter out tyre-kickers and focus on serious prospects.

Generalist agents compete with everyone. Specialists compete with almost no one.

Choose a niche. It could be a visa type (employer-sponsored, partner visas), a community (Chinese migrants, Indian IT professionals), or a region (regional Australia).

Become the obvious expert. Create content, give talks, and build partnerships specifically around your niche. When someone in your target community needs an agent, you should be the first name that comes up.

Charge premium rates. Specialists can justify higher fees because they offer deeper expertise and typically achieve better outcomes in their area of focus.

Your website is your digital shopfront. If it looks amateur, potential clients will assume your practice is too.

Essential elements: Clear description of services, your MARN number, testimonials, a prominent contact form, and mobile-friendly design. Ensure your site loads quickly — slow sites lose visitors.

SEO basics matter. Include your location and visa specialisations in your page titles and headings. Create individual pages for each visa type you handle. This helps you rank for specific searches like "partner visa agent Sydney".

Add trust signals. Display your MARA registration badge, professional memberships, years of experience, and client testimonials prominently.

Paid advertising can deliver immediate results, but it requires careful management to be cost-effective.

Google Ads work well for high-intent searches like "migration agent Melbourne" or "partner visa help". Expect to pay $5-$25 per click depending on the keyword. Read our detailed comparison of directories vs Google Ads to understand the cost dynamics.

Facebook Ads are excellent for reaching specific communities. You can target by language, nationality, location, and interests. They're generally cheaper per click but lower intent.

Start small and test. Begin with $500-$1,000 per month and track which keywords and ads generate actual enquiries, not just clicks. Scale what works, cut what doesn't.

Email marketing has the highest ROI of any digital channel, yet most migration agents ignore it entirely.

Offer something valuable in exchange for an email address. A free visa eligibility checklist, a guide to a specific visa pathway, or a processing times update works well.

Send regular newsletters. Monthly updates covering immigration news, policy changes, and helpful tips keep you top of mind. When a subscriber — or someone they know — needs an agent, you'll be the first they think of.

Nurture past clients. People who've used your services before are your best prospects for repeat business and referrals. Keep them informed and engaged.

Most migration agents have no idea which marketing channels actually generate clients. Without tracking, you're flying blind.

Ask every new client how they found you. Add this question to your intake form. Over time, you'll see clear patterns — perhaps 40% come from referrals, 25% from your directory listing, 20% from Google, and 15% from social media.

Calculate your cost per client. If Google Ads costs you $2,000/month and generates 5 clients, that's $400 per client. If your directory listing costs $49/month and generates 3 clients, that's $16 per client. The maths should guide your budget.

Review quarterly. Marketing isn't set-and-forget. What worked last year might not work this year. Review your numbers quarterly and reallocate budget accordingly.

For a detailed breakdown of where to spend your marketing budget, see our migration agent marketing budget guide.

How much should a migration agent spend on marketing? A common benchmark is 5-15% of gross revenue. For a solo agent earning $200,000 per year, that's $10,000-$30,000 annually, or roughly $800-$2,500 per month. Start at the lower end and increase as you identify profitable channels. See our marketing budget guide for detailed allocation advice.

What's the fastest way to get new migration clients? Paid advertising (Google Ads or Facebook Ads) delivers the fastest results — you can start receiving enquiries within days. However, the cost per client is typically higher than organic channels. For sustainable growth, combine paid advertising with directory listings and referral systems.

Do directory listings actually work for migration agents? Yes, particularly when your profile is complete and optimised. Directory listings work because people searching directories have high intent — they've already decided they need an agent and are actively comparing options. Our data shows that agents with claimed, complete profiles receive 5-10 times more enquiries than unclaimed profiles.

Should I focus on one marketing channel or several? Diversification is important. Relying on a single channel is risky — algorithm changes, price increases, or policy shifts can wipe out your pipeline overnight. Aim for at least three reliable channels (e.g., referrals, directory listing, and one digital channel).

How do I market my services without violating the MARA Code of Conduct? The key rules are: don't guarantee outcomes, don't make misleading claims, and don't offer incentives that could be seen as inducements to use your services. Stick to factual information, educational content, and genuine client testimonials. When in doubt, review the Code of Conduct or consult MIA.