What happens when you hide the truth from your own migration agent?

You hire a migration agent to help with your Australian visa application, but what if you withhold important information or give answers that are not true? Can your agent still make the right assessment? And what happens when the Department of Home Affairs discovers a problem that should have been addressed from the beginning?

In this episode of Australian Migration Talks, Alex speaks with Jasmine about a case involving an English test result that was challenged by the Department of Home Affairs through a Section 57 (s57) notice.

The migration agent had specifically asked the applicant whether he had travelled to the country where the test was taken and whether he had personally sat the exam. The applicant confirmed both. However, the Department later presented evidence that directly contradicted his account.

This case raises an important question: when your agent makes decisions based on information you provide, what happens if that information is not true?

In this episode, Alex and Jasmine discuss:

• Why honesty matters: How incomplete or inaccurate information can undermine the assessment of a visa application.

• Understanding an s57 notice: What it means when the Department raises adverse information and gives an applicant an opportunity to respond.

• Why a new English test may not be enough: A new result does not automatically resolve concerns about a previously submitted document.

• The role of a migration agent: Why agents need to verify information while applicants must provide truthful and complete answers.

• What happens when a problem surfaces late: How an s57 response deadline can make an already difficult situation more complicated.

• Why early disclosure matters: How knowing the real facts from the beginning allows the available options and risks to be assessed more accurately.

Jasmine also explains why being honest does not guarantee a positive outcome, but it does allow a case to be assessed on its actual circumstances rather than a false premise.

The key message is simple: difficult facts need to be addressed. False information can undermine the entire assessment.

If you are preparing an Australian visa application, working with a Migration Agent, or responding to an s57 notice, this episode explores why transparency matters at every stage of the process.

🎙️ Australian Migration Talks — hosted by Alex, featuring Jasmine.

Learn more about HECT Australian Migration & Appeals: https://hect.com.au/cn

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only and does not constitute migration or legal advice. Each case should be assessed according to its individual circumstances.