The CPD rules use a small vocabulary with precise meanings, and most confusion about requirements comes from two terms being read as one. Every term below is defined as the OMARA uses it, with a link to the guide that goes deeper.
The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, part of the Department of Home Affairs. It registers migration agents, approves CPD providers and activities, and enforces the Code of Conduct. Often shortened to MARA, which is also its web address.
RMA (registered migration agent)
A person registered by the OMARA under the Migration Act 1958 to give immigration assistance. Since 2021 lawyers with unrestricted practising certificates give immigration assistance as lawyers and are not RMAs.
MARN
Migration Agent Registration Number: the seven-digit number assigned to each RMA. It appears on the public register, on every CPD certificate and in all communications with the OMARA.
Initial registration
The first registration as a migration agent, granted on the entry requirements: the prescribed qualification, the Capstone assessment, English language and the fit-and-proper test. CPD is not required for initial registration.
Repeat registration
The annual renewal of registration. Granted only if the OMARA is satisfied the CPD requirement has been met, along with professional indemnity insurance and the integrity requirements. Lodged through the OMARA portal, from 60 days before expiry. More →
Registration period
The 12 months a registration lasts, from the day of registration. Each agent has their own anniversary; there is no common renewal date. More →
CPD (continuing professional development)
Learning activities a registered agent must complete to be eligible for repeat registration: 10 points in the 12 months before lodgement, at least 5 Category A, with the mandatory ethics and Code of Conduct topics. More →
CPD point
The unit of CPD. In a Category A workshop, one point is about one hour of structured, interactive learning. In private study, one point is a unit of study with an assessment, typically around 90 minutes. More →
Category A
Interactive, structured activities: workshops with real-time discussion or interactive participation tools, capped at 30 participants, and accredited university units in migration law. At least 5 of your 10 points must be Category A. More →
Category B
Non-interactive or self-paced activities: conferences, seminars, lectures and private study with assessment. At most 5 of a standard 10-point year can be Category B. More →
Private study with assessment
A Category B activity completed on your own from structured material, followed by an assessment. Must be completed within 12 months of enrolment under LIN 26/001. More →
Workshop
Under LIN 26/001, a Category A activity delivered face-to-face or online that involves real-time discussion among participants and/or interactive participation tools, with no more than 30 participants. More →
Mandatory topics
Two topics that must be covered within your 10 points each year since 1 April 2026: ethical standards for migration agents (1 point) and the RMA Code of Conduct (1 point). Either category. More →
Online cap
The rule that no more than 6 CPD points from activities undertaken through online learning count in any continuous 24-hour period. Applies to online workshops and online private study combined. More →
LIN 26/001
The Migration Agents (CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2026, in force from 1 April 2026. It replaced IMMI 17/047 and sets the activity categories, mandatory topics, online cap, private-study rule and provider standards. More →
IMMI 17/047
The 2017 CPD instrument that applied until 31 March 2026. It allowed 10 online points in a day and did not require both mandatory topics.
Transitional rule
For repeat registration applications lodged between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027, activities commenced or completed on or before 30 June 2026 are assessed under the old framework. More →
Code of Conduct
The Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021, the binding professional rules for RMAs: competence, diligence, confidentiality, fees, client money, communication and record-keeping. A mandatory CPD topic. More →
Approved CPD provider
An organisation approved by the OMARA under LIN 26/001 to deliver CPD activities. Each has a provider number (Widen CPD is PPA10000420). Only approved providers’ approved activities count. More →
Activity number
The OMARA’s identifier for an individual approved activity, printed on the certificate (for example DN637). Lets the OMARA match a completion to an approved activity and its category. More →
Certificate of completion
The provider’s record that you completed an activity: your name and MARN, provider and provider number, activity number, title, category, points and completion date. Your evidence at repeat registration. More →
Practising certificate exemption
RMAs who hold a current Australian legal practising certificate are exempt from the CPD requirement for repeat registration. In practice this covers restricted-certificate lawyers still on the register. More →
Practice Ready Programme (PRP)
A programme the OMARA has run for agents in their first registration year in place of standard CPD. Whether a first-year pathway applies to you is stated in your registration conditions. More →
Late repeat registration
A repeat registration application lodged after registration has expired. Available for up to 36 months after expiry, with the same requirements; you cannot give immigration assistance until it is approved. More →
Immigration assistance
Defined in the Migration Act: helping a person with a visa application, sponsorship, review or related matter, or giving advice about one. Only RMAs, Australian lawyers and certain exempt persons may give it.
Workplace rights activity
An optional CPD topic named in LIN 26/001 on the protection of workplace rights for migrant workers. Counts toward the 10 points like any other approved activity; not mandatory. More →
Points Pass
Widen CPD’s prepaid CPD credit: 10 points for A$220 or 5 for A$125, valid 12 months, spent on any live session or module at one pass point per CPD point. More →
Get your CPD done with Widen CPD
OMARA-approved provider PPA10000420. Live Category A sessions and self-paced Category B modules — including the mandatory ethics and Code of Conduct topics — at A$30 incl. GST each, or a 10-point CPD Points Pass for A$220 that covers the whole year.
They are the same body. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) is the regulator within the Department of Home Affairs; MARA is the shorter name and its web address.
What is the difference between a CPD provider number and an activity number?
The provider number (such as PPA10000420) identifies the approved organisation. The activity number identifies one approved session or module. A certificate needs both.
What does repeat registration mean?
The annual renewal of a migration agent’s registration. It is granted only if the CPD requirement, insurance and integrity requirements are met, and can be lodged from 60 days before expiry.
What is LIN 26/001?
The Migration Agents (CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2026, the CPD instrument in force from 1 April 2026.
General information for registered migration agents, not legal advice. CPD requirements are set by the OMARA under the Migration Agents (CPD Activities, Approval of CPD Providers and CPD Provider Standards) Instrument 2026 (LIN 26/001) — confirm your current obligations and renewal dates at mara.gov.au. Widen CPD is an OMARA-approved CPD provider.
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