Reputable agents?

**big gus** · 08-01-2010, 08:05 AM

Hi all,

It was suggested to me via this forum that most migration agents will give you an initial 30 minutes of their time free, to assess whether or not you would qualify in any category for a move to Aus.

Having contacted one guy on here he (twice) told me to go to his website and "pay the fee" to fill in his online form before he would even talk to me.

I have no problem with that, I'm pretty easy going and folks can run their business any way they choose. However - as I tried to explain - my case isn't straight forward (lots of technicalities involving which profession I'd qualify under which can't be ascertained simply by filling in a form).

Can anybody recommend someone who would be willing to offer some initial advice without obligation?

Thanks guys/girls,
Gus

**Pumpkin** · 08-01-2010, 08:08 AM

Yes I read a lot on here that many agents give a free initial consultation, but in fact I have not come across any that actually do! Still it is probably worth a small fee for an hours consult or something.

**guest32487** · 08-01-2010, 08:14 AM

Go Matilda, give you a free consulatation, come highly recommended by many (me included) and post on his forum (Alan Collett).

**bakedalaska** · 08-01-2010, 08:33 AM

hi guys
we used gomatilda and couldnt fault them.they we fast and efficient and would not hesitate in recommending them! if you contact them mention our names,.
Dean and Caroline

**Jamie Smith** · 08-01-2010, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by big gus

my case isn't straight forward

Then perhaps a free half hour without significant professional commitment between you and the agent is not the best way forward?

**Liz and Paul** · 08-01-2010, 08:51 AM

We used ASA Migration and they were fantastic, they do a free online assessment where you send them cvs and any other info you want them to know and they let you know which visa you are elgible to apply for, they were fantastic every step of the process for us and we could get in touch with them via their online site so easily and always got a quick reply back no matter how silly or minor the question

**big gus** · 08-01-2010, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jamie Smith

Then perhaps a free half hour without significant professional commitment between you and the agent is not the best way forward?

What makes you think I offered no commitment? You couldn't be further from the truth, as it goes. However, the point of the thread isn't to judge someone by how they choose to run their business. I clearly state I have no issue with that.

My question to the forum was in response to suggestions there are reputable agents willing to offer folks 'some' initial help to ascertain whether they should even be pursuing a move to Oz - or if they have little chance of qualifying.

**big gus** · 08-01-2010, 09:02 AM

Thanks very much to Liz & Paul, Bakedalaska and Peach.

Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

**Gollywobbler** · 08-01-2010, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Jamie Smith

Then perhaps a free half hour without significant professional commitment between you and the agent is not the best way forward?

Hi Jamie

A free initial consultation is the ONLY way forward in Gus's case because at the moment he is not eligible for a visa. He falls foul of the new Vetassess rules. Therefore no agent can take him on as a fee paying client at the moment unless the agent breaches the MARA Code of Conduct by so doing. It is also crazy to enter into any sort of "professional" engagement with the agent unless the agent first comes up with some convincing evidence which would persuade an ordinary, sceptical client that the agent will keep his eyes peeled for suitable qualification courses.

The issues are as follows:

Gus used to be a reporter on a major National Sunday newspaper in the UK. Howeever he went into that as a cub, straight from school, and has no academic qualifications. He did that for 15 years.

18 months ago Gus bought a country hotel and has been a Hotel and Motel Manager ever since. I can't find an AQF Diploma in Hotel or Motel Management that can be completed on line. I am sure that such courses will spring up over the next year or two but there don't seem to be any as yet.

Age is on Gus's side, though. Also he may be able to do a suitable NVQ4 in the UK, which would solve the problem by another means.

The only value to Gus in using a migration agent at all lies in using one who will keep his/her ears and eyes peeled for suitable courses. The nuts and bolts of getting the skills assessment and then getting the visa are perfectly straightforward.

It is up to the agents to show that they have the ability to respond to a changing market.

Cheers

Gill

**guest33730** · 08-01-2010, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Pumpkin

Yes I read a lot on here that many agents give a free initial consultation, but in fact I have not come across any that actually do! Still it is probably worth a small fee for an hours consult or something.

When I started out I filled out as much information as possible on an email form and sent it to Go Matilda - Alan then replied saying that he would get one of his guys to call me, which they did. I had a 15 minute chat from which I made a decision that I wanted to use them and they were able to gauge how much the fee should be in my case - I didn't try and weedle out all kinds of information so I could go ahead on my own but used the opportunity to let them tell me why I should go with them (in fact that was the very question I asked)

I am happy to (and frequently do) refer people to Go Matilda but I wouldn't expect Alan to be the one picking up the phone and sorting out everyones problems. He is a highly qualified and busy individual who has competent staff to do a lot of the running around for him. But I am sure that if you contact his company you will find that one of his staff will have an initial chat with you to help you make up your mind whether to use them or not.

Daniel