Feature	Education Agent	Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
Primary Goal	Getting you accepted into a course.	Securing your legal visa status in Australia.
Governing Body	None (Regulated via provider contracts/ESOS Act).	OMARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority).
Can They Give Visa Advice?	Strictly NO. It is a criminal offense if they are not also an RMA.	YES. Authorized by federal law.
Qualifications	Varies; usually internal agency sales training.	Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law + strict character tests.
Who Pays Them?	Traditionally the university (unless charging a direct student fee).	You (via a regulated, fixed-fee Written Service Agreement).

Feature	Education Agent	Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
Primary Goal	Getting you accepted into a course.	Securing your legal visa status in Australia.
Governing Body	None (Regulated via provider contracts/ESOS Act).	OMARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority).
Can They Give Visa Advice?	Strictly NO. It is a criminal offense if they are not also an RMA.	YES. Authorized by federal law.
Qualifications	Varies; usually internal agency sales training.	Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law + strict character tests.
Who Pays Them?	Traditionally the university (unless charging a direct student fee).	You (via a regulated, fixed-fee Written Service Agreement).

Feature	Education Agent	Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
Primary Goal	Getting you accepted into a course.	Securing your legal visa status in Australia.
Governing Body	None (Regulated via provider contracts/ESOS Act).	OMARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority).
Can They Give Visa Advice?	Strictly NO. It is a criminal offense if they are not also an RMA.	YES. Authorized by federal law.
Qualifications	Varies; usually internal agency sales training.	Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law + strict character tests.
Who Pays Them?	Traditionally the university (unless charging a direct student fee).	You (via a regulated, fixed-fee Written Service Agreement).

Feature	Education Agent	Registered Migration Agent (RMA)
Primary Goal	Getting you accepted into a course.	Securing your legal visa status in Australia.
Governing Body	None (Regulated via provider contracts/ESOS Act).	OMARA (Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority).
Can They Give Visa Advice?	Strictly NO. It is a criminal offense if they are not also an RMA.	YES. Authorized by federal law.
Qualifications	Varies; usually internal agency sales training.	Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law + strict character tests.
Who Pays Them?	Traditionally the university (unless charging a direct student fee).	You (via a regulated, fixed-fee Written Service Agreement).