Migration Agent Consultation Fees: What to Expect

Consultation fees vary, but here's what you'll typically see in Australia:

• - Free initial consultations — Some agents offer a free 15–30 minute phone or video call. This is usually a high-level assessment to see if they can help and if you're a good fit. Don't expect detailed advice in a free session.
• - $100–$200 for a 30-minute consultation — Common for experienced agents. You'll get a preliminary assessment and general advice.
• - $200–$500 for a 60-minute in-depth consultation — This is where you get into the detail. The agent reviews your situation, discusses visa options, and outlines a strategy.
• - $300–$600+ for a written assessment — Some agents provide a formal written opinion after the consultation, outlining your options and recommended pathway.

Agents in capital city CBDs tend to charge more than those in suburban or regional areas. Senior agents with specialist expertise also command higher fees.

Want to compare? Use our cost estimator to get a sense of typical fees for your visa type.

Free consultations are essentially a screening call. The agent wants to understand your situation and decide if they can help. You'll get broad-strokes information but not a detailed strategy. Think of it as a first date — you're both working out if there's a fit.

Paid consultations are where the real value is. You're paying for the agent's professional opinion, tailored to your specific circumstances. They'll dig into the details of your case, identify potential issues, and give you actionable advice.

Here's the thing: some agents who offer "free consultations" are really offering a sales pitch. They'll tell you just enough to get you worried, then pitch their full service. A good paid consultation, on the other hand, should leave you feeling informed even if you decide not to proceed with that agent.

The consultation fee is usually deducted from the total fee if you engage the agent for your application. So it's not wasted money — it's essentially a deposit.

A typical first consultation covers:

### Your Personal Situation The agent will ask about your age, education, work experience, English ability, family situation, health, and any previous visa history. They need the full picture to give accurate advice.

### Visa Options Based on your circumstances, they'll outline which visas you may be eligible for. For skilled migration, they might discuss Subclass 189, 190, or 491 pathways.

### Likelihood of Success A good agent gives you an honest assessment. If your chances are slim, you want to know now — not after spending thousands on an application.

### Timeline and Process How long the application will take, what documents you'll need, and the general process from start to finish.

### Costs The agent should clearly outline their fees and what's included. They should also mention government charges (visa application fees) so you understand the total cost. Check our full guide on migration agent costs.

### Next Steps If you decide to proceed, they'll explain the engagement process, including the client-agent agreement you'll need to sign.

Make the most of your consultation time by coming prepared:

1. Bring your passport and any current or previous visas
2. Have your qualifications ready — degree certificates, trade qualifications
3. Know your work history — Dates, roles, and employers
4. English test results — IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL scores if you have them
5. Write down your questions — Don't rely on memory. You'll be taking in a lot of information
6. Skills assessment results — If you've already had one done
7. Any Department correspondence — If you've already applied for something or received a notice

Not sure which visa you might be eligible for? Take our visa quiz beforehand so you can ask informed questions.

Don't leave without answers to these:

• - "What visa do you recommend for my situation, and why?"
• - "What are my realistic chances of approval?"
• - "What's the total cost — your fees plus government charges?"
• - "What's included in your fee? What costs extra?"
• - "How long will the process take?"
• - "What happens if the application is refused?"
• - "Are you registered with MARA?" (Verify with our MARA check tool)
• - "How many cases like mine have you handled?"
• - "Who will actually work on my case — you or someone else in your firm?"
• - "Is the consultation fee deducted from the total fee if I engage you?"

A good agent won't be offended by these questions. They'll appreciate that you're doing your due diligence.

Since COVID, most agents offer video consultations, which work just as well as in-person meetings for an initial assessment. Benefits of online consultations:

• - Access agents anywhere in Australia, not just locally
• - Save travel time and parking hassles
• - Easy to record (with permission) for later reference
• - Often more flexible scheduling

That said, some people prefer the in-person experience, especially for complex cases where you need to present a lot of physical documents. Either way, the quality of advice should be the same.

Use our agent search to find agents who offer online consultations — most do these days.