Agent & broker scam alerts
Unlicensed operators and scams cost Australians millions every year — across migration, home loans, property settlement, the NDIS and study. Learn the red flags, and always verify a licence before you pay.
Already been sanctioned by a regulator? See recent regulatory actions — official cancellations, bars and banning orders, each linked to its source.
Red flags in any category
These warning signs apply whether you’re choosing a migration agent, a mortgage broker, or an NDIS provider.
Guaranteed outcomes
No honest professional can guarantee a visa, a loan approval, or a settlement. A guarantee means they are either unlicensed or lying.
Pay to a personal account
Fees should go to a registered business account with a receipt — never a personal account, cash, gift cards, or crypto.
No written agreement
Licensed operators give you a written costs or services agreement up front. If they won’t put it in writing, walk away.
No licence or registration number
If they can’t give you a licence, registration, or membership number you can check on a public register, treat them as unverified.
Pressure and urgency
“Pay today or lose your place” is a manufactured deadline. Real professionals let you take your time and get advice.
Social-media only
Operating solely through Facebook, TikTok, or WhatsApp with no verifiable Australian business is a common scam pattern.
Scams by sector
Migration agents
Unregistered migration agents
Critical riskGiving immigration assistance for a fee without OMARA/MARA registration is illegal in Australia. Unregistered “agents” have no oversight, no professional indemnity insurance, and no complaints process.
- Cannot provide a MARN (Migration Agent Registration Number)
- Not found on the register at mara.gov.au
- No Australian business address
✓ Check the MARN on the MARA register before paying anything.
Visa outcome guarantees & document fraud
Critical riskNo registered agent can guarantee a visa, and offering to “fix” English scores or fabricate employment letters is fraud — it leads to refusal, bans, and prosecution.
- “100% visa guaranteed or your money back”
- “We have contacts inside the Department”
- Offers to edit test results or reference letters
✓ Walk away and report to MARA or the Australian Border Force.
Mortgage brokers
Unlicensed credit assistance
Critical riskArranging a home loan for a fee or commission requires an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), or authorisation as a credit representative under one. Unlicensed “brokers” have no dispute resolution scheme behind them.
- No Australian Credit Licence or credit representative number
- Not listed on ASIC Connect’s professional registers
- Not a member of an external dispute resolution scheme (AFCA)
✓ Verify the ACL / credit rep number on ASIC before signing anything.
Upfront-fee and refinance-churn scams
High riskMost mortgage brokers are paid by the lender, not by you. Be wary of large upfront fees, or pressure to refinance repeatedly (“churning”) that benefits the broker’s commission, not you.
- Large upfront fee with no clear service
- Pushes a refinance that adds cost with little benefit
- Won’t disclose which lenders or commissions apply
✓ Ask for the credit guide and commission disclosure in writing.
Conveyancers & property
Payment-redirection (settlement) fraud
Critical riskScammers intercept or spoof emails during a property settlement and send fake bank details, redirecting your deposit or settlement funds. This is the single biggest financial risk when buying a home.
- A last-minute email “updating” the bank account for your transfer
- Account name doesn’t match the firm you engaged
- Pressure to transfer quickly without phoning to confirm
✓ Always phone the firm on a known number to confirm bank details before transferring.
Unlicensed conveyancers
High riskIn most states a conveyancer must hold a current licence (Queensland and the ACT use solicitors instead). An unlicensed operator handling your settlement carries no insurance or oversight.
- No licence number for your state’s register
- Vague about whether they’re a licensed conveyancer or solicitor
✓ Check the state conveyancer register, or the law society in QLD/ACT.
NDIS providers
Sign-up and plan-management scams
Critical riskFraudsters target NDIS participants to harvest NDIS numbers and personal details, sign people up for services they never receive, or bill for supports never delivered.
- Cold-calls or door-knocks asking for your NDIS number
- Offers cash, gift cards, or “free” items to use your plan
- Bills for supports you never received
✓ Never share your NDIS number with unsolicited contacts. Report to the NDIS Commission.
Education consultants
Fake credentials & “exclusive” places
High riskEducation agents aren’t government-licensed in Australia, which leaves room for unqualified operators. Reputable universities work through recognised agents and never sell “exclusive” places.
- Claims “exclusive” or “guaranteed” university places
- Charges for services institutions provide free
- Cannot name which universities they represent
✓ Confirm the agent relationship directly with the institution.
Verify before you pay
Each category has a way to check credentials. Look them up yourself, then compare only those who check out.
Mortgage brokers
Must hold or act under an Australian Credit Licence. Check ASIC.
NDIS providers
Check registration on the NDIS Commission provider register.
Education consultants
Not government-licensed. PIER membership is voluntary; confirm with the institution.
How to protect yourself — 5 steps
Verify the licence yourself
Look up the licence, registration, or credit number on the official register — don’t rely on a certificate they send you or a screenshot.
Get everything in writing
A written costs or services agreement before you pay is standard for licensed professionals. No agreement, no deal.
Confirm bank details by phone
Before transferring any deposit or fee, phone the business on a number you found yourself — not one from the email — to confirm the account.
Never pay to a personal account
Pay to a registered business account and keep receipts. Be very cautious of cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency requests.
Compare verified professionals
Shortlist providers with verified credentials and real reviews. It costs you nothing and it’s the simplest way to avoid an unlicensed operator.
Report a scam
If you’ve been targeted, report it — it helps authorities act and warns others.