A Division of MBA Lawyers
Migration Lawyers Australia provide a full range of legal and supporting services to migrants and non-Australian citizens.
Our aim isn't only to provide guidance on the law – it is to make the entire process of migration as smooth as possible for you.
Migration Lawyers Australia (MLA) is a branch of respected Australian law firm and migration agents, McDonald, Balanda & Associates, established in 1970.

Our local knowledge and contacts can be used to your benefit, so if you have inquiries about education, transport, housing, business purchases, dealings with Government Departments or Agencies or other matters, please ask for our help.
MLA's experienced lawyers are fully conversant with all requirements of the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).

Ask for our advice first!
It is vital that you obtain advice before you act. There are only a limited a few permanent visa applications available to persons who enter Australia on a temporary basis. It is extremely important that correct advice is received offshore before you embark upon steps that may cost you a large amount of extra time and money. Where you must be and where your application may be lodged can also be very strictly legislated. You should not simply rely upon the information contained in these pages. The making of successful applications can be much more complex, and the detail of the regulations much more difficult to understand and satisfy. Experienced, up to date advice is essential!

Legal services cover:
All permanent and temporary and bridging visa requirements for:
• employment
• student and graduate student
• business
• education
• medical treatment
• prospective marriages
• spouses/inter-dependant relationships
• working holidays
• employer nomination/sponsorship
• families, children and parents
• investments
• retirement
• special events

Reviews and Appeals
At MLA we are lawyers, not just agents. We can provide assistance throughout any review and appeal process resulting from an unsuccessful application or breach of visa conditions.

Business and property purchases
MLA can assist with all legal and practical requirements related to the purchase, sale or lease of a business or residential and commercial property in Australia.
Our team of expert commercial lawyers are fully conversant with what you need to know. We have over 30 years of experience in helping clients with all their business and property needs. Whether a large developer or an individual client, you will receive the benefit of our expertise in these fields. We truly aim to produce "Results Plus"!

Australia's Foreign Investment Review Board
The Australian Government welcomes foreign investment. Investment policy exists, however, in relation to both natural persons not ordinarily resident in Australia and corporations, businesses and trusts which are controlled outside Australia, purchasing Australian property. The Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) regulates the purchase of commercial, industrial or rural property, as well as the purchase of residential property by temporary residents. We can advise you and guide you through the Board's requirements.

Assistance on the Internet
Australian Migration Lawyers can provide assistance to overseas residents intending to migrate to Australia or who have business dealings in this country through its 'Online' Internet service.
Apart from informing you on our services our web site provides useful information on the Gold Coast and South Eastern Queensland and some free advice that will help you to understand the right and wrong steps to take with Australian authorities.
Our site is linked to information on education, accommodation, residential areas and essential services – practical information provided obligation free – to help you.
You should however always seek specific advice before acting. The information provided is as a guide only. Where hotlinks are made to external sites we cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof.

Jonathan Flannery
Migration Lawyers Australia is headed by experienced lawyer and partner in McDonald Balanda & Associates, Jonathan Flannery.
Mr Flannery is qualified in all areas of Australian Migration Law and is a registered migration agent. Mr Flannery graduated in law in 1982 and he has been a Gold Coast resident since 1989 and is an honorary solicitor to a number of prominent community organizations including the Gold Coast Citizens' Advice Bureau and the Highway Legal Service.
He frequently lectures and advises various agency groups.
His community and business roles have provided him with a network of contacts which can be used to the benefit of migration law clients.
Mr Flannery completed studies in migration law with distinction.
He is experienced in many fields of law, apart from migration law including commercial and personal litigation, workplace relations, industrial and criminal law.
If you have any questions about the services in this profile please contact Mr Flannery by telephoning 61 7 5539 9688, fax 61 7 5538 2651 or by e-mail at jsflannery@mba-lawyers.com.au

Some Australian Migration Statistics
Some interesting statistics:
• As at the end of July, 2003, Australia's resident population was projected to be approximately 19,900,000.
• Australia has a net gain of one international migrant every 5 minutes and 50 seconds
• Between 1993 and 1998 more than 1.2m people arrived in Australia intending to stay for one year or more.
• Australia has a global non-discriminatory immigration policy.
• In 1999-2000, 45% of Australia's population growth was from net overseas migration. The preliminary estimate of net overseas migration was 99,100, while natural increase was 120,800.
• Net overseas migration in 1999-2000 was the highest since 1995-96, reversing the downward trend of the last few years.
• New South Wales had the largest share of net overseas migration (41%), which exceeded the share of total population living there (34%). Victoria had the second largest share (25%), followed by Queensland (16%), Western Australia (13%) and South Australia (3%). Tasmania and the Northern Territory (less than 1% each) and the Australian Capital Territory (a small net overseas migration loss) had the smallest shares.
• In 1999-2000 there were 92,300 permanent arrivals, an increase of 10% on the previous year. This increase was largely attributable to an increase in permanent arrivals of New Zealand citizens (31,600 in 1999-2000, compared with 24,700 in 1998-99). One in four (24%) permanent arrivals had been born in New Zealand and one in ten in the United Kingdom. People born in China were the next largest group (7%).

Click for more information
• Student and Graduate student
• Business
• Prospective Marriages
• Spouses/Inter-dependant Relationships
• Working Holidays
• Employer Nomination/Sponsorship
• Family Visas
• Retirement
• Australian Graduate Skilled Visas
• General Skilled Migration
• FIRB



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