Lawyers may not give immigration advice and assistance unless they have been registered.
Under the Act applicants who obtain assistance from a registered agent may complain to the Migration Agents Registration Board about the conduct of the registered agent. There is a strict Code of Conduct enforced on Migration Agents.
However the Regulations have no effect in relation to people outside Australia giving advice and/or assistance.
In 1998 the Migration Agents Registration Authority became responsible for the admission, re-registration and conduct of migration agents.
You are urged to contact registered migration agents when seeking immigration advice and assistance.