Initial Assessment/Consultation

We provide an initial assessment of the likely success of your visa application after completing and submitting an assessment form from this website. You are under no obligation to continue with our services following the preliminary assessment. If you wish to proceed with our service from there, our fees are quoted before you commit yourself to any ongoing Migration Agent service. The Initial Consultation may include a meeting in person or an interview by telephone or email. Following this Initial Consultation we will send you an email confirming the information discussed with you. You are under no obligation to continue with our services following the Initial Consultation. If you wish to proceed with our service from there, our fees are quoted in writing before you then commit yourself to any ongoing Migration Agent service.

Our Services

If you wish to proceed after the initial assessment, before you make a formal decision that you wish us to act, you are entitled to receive information about our services, professional charges and any other expenses associated with the conduct of your matter which will be provided to you in writing.

Ethical Obligations

As registered Migration Agents we are bound by ethical and legal requirements in relation to our professional conduct. We will provide you with a copy of the Information on the Regulations of the Migration Advice Profession for your attention. A copy of the Information on the Regulations of the Migration Advice Profession can also be downloaded from this website.

Our Professional Fees

If you instruct us to assist in an application for an Australia visa or other migration services, our professional fees for assisting you with your matter will be calculated either on a hourly rate or at a quoted fixed fee depending upon the service required. In addition, you will be required to reimburse or indemnify us in respect of service charges and/or disbursements which are paid by us on your behalf. Our agreed fees for visa applications (or related services) are payable in instalments, the first instalment is – usually - payable upon engagement, the second instalment is payable upon commencing the preparation of the visa and the third instalment is payable immediately prior to lodging your visa application. Please note that we reserve the right to render proportional interim bills for work actually done. If additional unexpected work/services are required from us we will advise you in advance and will first quote an additional fee. There is always some possibility of your immigration application being rejected and any further appeal process would incur further fees.

Service Charges

Service charges include such items as photocopying, printing, fax transmission and telephone charges. The expected service charges are included in the professional fees amount quoted. Any photocopying and printing outside the normal service being provided will be charged at 0.30 c per sheet. International and inter-state telephone charges required in relation to our services will be charged at cost.

Disbursements

You will be responsible for payment to us of disbursements such as the Government visa application fees, costs for skills assessment, English testing, medical and character clearances, etc. We will provide you with a quote estimating the expected disbursements associated with your matter. Should there be other additional expenses of this nature occurring, we will advise you of the likely costs and seek your prior approval.

Payment Of Accounts

Accounts not previously paid through instalments are payable within 7 days of invoice. We reserve the right to terminate our engagement in the event of any default of payment.

Overdue Accounts

If any amount payable pursuant to these Terms and Conditions is not paid on the due date then, without prejudice to any other rights or remedies contained in these Terms and Conditions or otherwise, the Client shall pay to us (Destination Southern Cross) interest on such unpaid amount, or on that part of such unpaid amount as from time to time remains unpaid. The rate of interest payable shall be 4% per annum above the standard commercial overdraft rate prescribed by Australian & New Zealand Banking Group Limited for the period during which the said amount remains unpaid. Such interest shall accrue on a daily basis and shall be payable upon demand. Payments received by Destination Southern Cross shall be attributed firstly in reduction of any outstanding interest payable pursuant to this clause and then in reduction of the amount otherwise payable by the Client. In addition, Destination Southern Cross shall be entitled to recover from the Client on a full indemnity basis all legal or collection costs it incurs in connection with the recovery of all such unpaid amounts from the Client. Payment of all such legal or collection costs shall be made forthwith by the Client to Destination Southern Cross upon delivery to the Client of a copy of any tax invoice received by Destination Southern Cross in relation to any such legal or collection costs incurred in connection with the recovery of all such unpaid amounts from the Client..

Pre-payment Of Professional Fees & Other Costs

We may require you from time to time to pre-pay an amount to provide security for professional fees. This amount will be held in our Trust Account until such time as we have done work on your behalf. We will assume, upon receipt of your payment, your authority to draw on the money paid for expenses and our professional fees, as they become due. We will also assume your authority is given for any moneys which we receive on your behalf to be paid directly to our trust account and to pay ourselves from this money immediately after sending you our bill of costs.

Contact

If you have any concerns about the conduct or progress of your matter or about fees and charges, please do not hesitate to contact Irek Lasocki. If you are dissatisfied with our response to any of your concerns, you may seek assistance from the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), as per the Information on the Regulations of the Migration Advice Profession provided on this website.