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Immigration Law: Getting it Right from Day One – Building Strong Visa Applications

Focus on the foundational skills required to prepare accurate and compliant visa applications with a strong emphasis on preventing errors at the earliest stage of the process.

Friday, 28 August 2026
10.00am to 11.00am Document Collection and Risk Identification
  • Document and evidence identification and collection
  • Developing effective file and evidence checklists
  • Identifying risks and eliminating them
  • Gathering and verifying applicant and sponsor evidence
  • Navigating legislation, regulations and policy tools including LEGENDcom
9.00am to 10.00am So you’ve got your MARA number or new to immigration law - what now?
  • Setting up financial and administrative systems for compliant practice
  • Service Agreement templates and tailoring to each client
  • Practice management fundamentals
11.00am to 11.15am Break
11.15am to 12.15pm Preparation of Visa Applications

 

  • Partner visas
  • Skilled regional visas
  • Visa cancellations
  • Citizenship applications

Presented by:

Simon Jeans, Special Counsel, One Planet Migration Law; Principal Lawyer, Jeans Lawyers, Recognised in Best Lawyers in Immigration Law since 2016
Tina Nematian, Principal Lawyer, One Planet Migration Law
Kathryn Viegas, Director and Principal Solicitor, Nomos

12.15pm to 1.15pm Criminal Law Intersection for Migration Practice
  • Common practitioner errors:
    • incorrect answers, such as failure to accurately disclose criminal history
  • Practical guidance on completing key forms correctly:
    • visa application forms
    • partner visa sponsor forms
    • Form 80 and related forms
    • PIC 4020 issues
    • citizenship application forms
  • Potential OMARA issues
  • Understanding the criminal–immigration overlap in daytoday practice
  • AVOs and related intervention orders
  • Civil vs Criminal distinctions
  • Character and disclosure issues in visa, citizenship and sponsor applications

Presented by Kim Hunter, Partner, Hunter Flood Lawyers; Criminal defence and immigration lawyer; Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law

Description

Attend and earn 4 CPD units in Substantive Law 
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

Presenters


Kathryn Viegas, Director and Principal Solicitor, Nomos
Kathryn Viegas is a Director of Nomos Legal, a boutique law firm specialising in the provision of Australian immigration law advice. A migrant herself, she started her legal career in the community sector and her commitment to advocacy and social justice has never waned. She has practised immigration law since 2003 and represents a wide range of clients, including not-for-profit organisations, businesses and individuals. She regularly provides specialist advice to applicants with complex immigration needs, including applicants who have medical conditions, those seeking review of a decision and businesses with compliance issues. Kathryn graduated with degrees in Psychology and Law from The University of New South Wales in 2002. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Australian National University and was admitted to practice in 2003. In 2006, she was awarded a Master of Laws degree from The University of Sydney. Kathryn is recognised by the Law Society of NSW as an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law. She has worked at the HIV/AIDS Legal Centre and various boutique immigration law firms in Sydney, including 2 that she has co-founded. Since 2007, Kathryn has been involved in continuing legal education through her preparation and presentation of CPD programs for Nomos, the Law Society of NSW and other organisations. She currently teaches the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law at Victoria University. Kathryn is committed to pro bono work and sits on a number of not-for-profit boards. She is the current President of the Management Committee of the Immigration Advice & Rights Centre, a community legal centre that specialises in immigration advice for vulnerable migrants and asylum seekers. She is a Founding Director of the TLR Foundation, a charity that promotes stem cell donation throughout Australia, and a Director of the Centre for Women's Economic Safety. She is also a member of the Law Society of NSW’s Specialist Accreditation Immigration Law Advisory Committee and the UNSW Law & Justice Advisory Council.

Simon Jeans, Special Counsel, One Planet Migration Law; Principal Lawyer, Jeans Lawyers
Simon is widely regarded as one of Australia’s top immigration lawyers, renowned for his deep expertise in this complex and rapidly changing field. Since his admission to legal practice in 1989, Simon has devoted over 35 years to immigration law. A true specialist, Simon is accredited by the NSW Law Society in Immigration Law. He served as a Member of both the Migration Review Tribunal and the Refugee Review Tribunal (from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2015), an appointment made by the Governor-General. His international contributions include working with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Hong Kong, providing legal expertise with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Indonesia, and delivering expert testimony before a U.S. Congressional Committee on Indochinese refugee issues in Southeast Asia. Simon has managed immigration matters in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, the UK, Jordan, Syria, and Ukraine, and is particularly noted for his longstanding work on behalf of over 1,200 Sabean Mandaeans from Iraq, assisting them to secure safer futures in Australia. He has been recognised on the Best Lawyers in Immigration Law list since 2016, acted as an Assessor and External Moderator for the College of Law’s Capstone Migration Agents Assessment in 2019 and 2020, and has been a trusted voice on immigration matters for Channel 7, Channel 9, Sky News Australia, The Australian, The Economist, and the ABC.

Kim Hunter, Lawyer, Hunter Flood Lawyers
Kim Hunter is a criminal defence and immigration lawyer as well as an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law from Hunter Flood Lawyers in Sydney. Kim Has always had her own private law practice and since becoming an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law now only practices in criminal defence and immigration law. Kim has formerly lectured in post graduate law at Australian National University and regularly lectures for the Law Society of NSW, Legal Aid and various other professional bodies and organisations including the MIA. Kim has been invited to be on an expert panel for a research project funded by the Australian Research Council, to be undertaken by leading Professors from Charles Sturt, Flinders and Monash universities in Australia and Oxford University in the UK on the topic of ‘Crimmigration’ – the intersection of criminal and immigration laws in Australia.


Tina Nematian, Principal Lawyer, One Planet Migration Law
Tina Nematian is a leading expert in Australian immigration law with over 15 years of experience helping businesses and individuals navigate the complexities of the migration system. Born in Australia to refugee parents who fled persecution, Tina grew up immersed in the stories of resilience and transformation that define the migrant experience. Tina’s core purpose is to make migration more accessible, strategic, and empowering, especially for businesses struggling to fill critical roles. She helps Australian companies, from local SMEs to global corporations, secure the overseas talent they need when the local labour market cannot meet demand. Her knowledge of employer-sponsored migration pathways, combined with her ability to design innovative visa strategies, has made her a trusted advisor for employers seeking to build high-performing, diverse teams. Over the course of her career, Tina has successfully guided thousands of clients through complex immigration matters, including employer sponsorships, permanent residency, visa refusals, and cancellations. She is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and is an active pro bono contributor, working with organisations such as Aboriginal Legal Services and Anti-Slavery Australia to support vulnerable migrants and survivors of trafficking. In recognition of her service, she was named a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards for Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year. Tina’s career has spanned global NGO work and international migration advocacy, bringing warmth, tenacity, and expertise to every matter she undertakes.




This seminar is part of a series

Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

Description

Attend the whole series and earn 10 CPD units including: 
4 units in Substantive Law
3 units in Professional Skills
1.5 units in Ethics & Professional Responsibility
1.5 units in Practice Management & Business Skills
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories

 

View series listing

WEB268N09A

Immigration Law: Getting it Right from Day One – Building Strong Visa Applications

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[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

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Single Session
Friday, 28 August 2026
9.00am to 1.15pm Australia/Sydney
CPD Points 4
$505.00
Online 20260714 20260828

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[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]
[{date=, seminar_description_for_website=

This three-part Immigration Fundamentals series is designed to equip legal practitioners and migration agents with the core practical skills required to manage visa applications effectively from the outset through to tribunal proceedings, with a strong focus on risk prevention and compliance. A must for newly registered migration agents and/or practitioners expanding their legal practice seeking to bolster their knowledge and compliance awareness, all whilst meeting your full CPD requirements through a single-registration, 10 CPD points across three separate weeks.

Focus on getting the fundamentals right, particularly the often-overlooked importance of proper document collection and early issue identification.

While preparing and lodging applications may appear straightforward, many problems arise at the initial stages, including incomplete documentation, inadequate client and sponsor statements, and failure to identify risks early. Gain practical guidance and checklists, unpack gathering and assessing information, and navigate legislation and policy resources to ensure accurate and compliant applications, so you avoid common pitfalls such as overstating claims or failing to follow proper procedures.

This program is structured with interactive learning, practical exercises, guided discussion and knowledge checks across all three sessions.

, timezone=Australia/Sydney, hs_object_id=51274439990, event_name=Immigration Fundamentals 10 Point Series, id=51274439990}]