Our team of licensed migration lawyers in Darwin bring years of expertise to help you navigate Australian visa processes. Our MARA registration ensures we deliver reliable legal advice tailored to the Darwin area, covering everything from skilled migration to family reunification. We focus on building lasting relationships with clients like you, drawing from the latest updates on visas.
Why Use a Migration Lawyer
Having a migration lawyer on your side offers clear advantages in handling complex cases. We provide in-depth legal knowledge that goes beyond standard applications, especially for visa refusals where appeals require courtroom experience.
This means you get personalized support to avoid common pitfalls, backed by our understanding of Australian migration law from sources like the Department of Home Affairs.
Visa Types Supported
We assist with a range of visas, ensuring you have the right pathway through This is Australia. Whether you’re pursuing skilled migration or family options, our team guides you every step:
- Work Visas: If you possess skills and capabilities to enhance Australia's economy and workforce, then you may be eligible to migrate to Australia by applying for an Australian Work visa. These visas are specifically designed to encourage applicants to obtain sponsorship through an employer or to secure nomination. Many foreigners choose to live and work in Australia because of the lifestyle and employment opportunities offered.
- Skilled Migration Visas (SkillSelect): SkillSelect is an online application process that enables skilled workers and business people interested in migrating to Australia through the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI). All EOI’s are considered and, if you are a successful applicant, you will be issued an invitation to apply for the skilled migration visa you have conveyed interest in. You may also be found and nominated by an Australian employer or State or Territory Government if you have skills and qualifications that are required in Australia.
- Student Visa Subclass 500 and Courses for Study Australia: The dedicated team at This is Australia is familiar and experienced with Student Visa Subclass 500 applications. With a high success rate, we can assist international students with finding the best course, submitting the application to the education provider, finalising the enrolment and applying for a student visa.
- Family, Parent and Spouse Visas: The Australian Family and Spouse Visas, aim to reunite immediate and extended family members with their eligible Australian relatives and spouses. To be sponsored under the Australian Family Migration stream, the close family relative or spouse must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and at least 18 years old.
- Business Visas and Specialised Services: Business visas are recognised as the most complex visas to apply for, which is why we are here to help you successfully submit an application. If you have plans of establishing a business in Australia, investing in a company or migrating to Australia as a business owner or investor, it is vital you receive the correct immigration advice. For many, applying for a business visa may be the only option to residency in Australia. Our team of migration agents here at This Is Australia provide guidelines and industry knowledge to ensure that your visa application has the best possible chance of being approved.
Meet Our Team of Migration Lawyers in Darwin
Mike Beckett
Principal Lawyer
Mike has an extensive business background that spans over 25 years. Initially a Commercial Property Manager, Mike moved into education before embarking on his true passion: legal practice. His rich experience ensures that the firm's corporate clients are well-served.
Mike's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Business, followed by an M.B.A. and a Bachelor of Laws. To further his expertise, he pursued various Graduate Diplomas in Education, Migration Law, and Real Estate. He was subsequently admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of Queensland, the High Court of Australia and is a member of the Law Society NT.
Outside of his professional accomplishments, Mike enjoys watching footy and training and competing in CrossFit. However, above all, his greatest joy is spending quality time with his family and dogs.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Business
- Master of Business Administration
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law)
- Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia
- Legal Practitioner (Barrister and Solicitor) Northern Territory
Memberships:
- Law Society NT
Anthony Perich
Director
Lawyer
Notary Public NSW/QLD
Prior to starting his own practice, he was employed for many years with two highly regarded law firms – a multinational top-tier law firm where he was appointed an Associate and, earlier in his career, a lawyer for a highly regarded banking and finance law firm in Sydney.
Having years of experience in the banking and finance industry, he has acted for all the major Australian banks (including the big four) and has hands-on experience and knowledge in structuring and documenting complex commercial, corporate and project finance facilities. He has ample experience in mortgagee and debt recovery matters, including advising lenders in relation to their enforcement options and strategic plans for debt recovery.
As team leader for the leasing team, he has a solid leasing practice that provides leasing advice and transactional document preparation for both landlord and tenant. This includes legal advice to prospective tenants, disclosure requirements under the Retail Shop Leases Act, rights of termination, re-entry, make good, negotiation and mediation, dispute resolution etc.
As the team leader for the migration law, corporate and employer sponsorship section, he handles complex migration applications for a vast range of visa subclasses and heads a team of several members for this section. He is also a Registered Migration Advisor for New Zealand (No. 201200560) and has ample knowledge of most New Zealand visas. His predominant focus is on Skilled Migrant Category Visas (points test based); Essential Skills – Work Visas; Talent (Accredited Employer) Visas, Specific Purpose Work Visas and family related visas, including Partner, Retirement and Parent Visas.
Anthony also undertakes the duties of a Notary Public. He is admitted to practice as a Notary Public in New South Wales and Queensland. He was appointed by the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 18 November 2011 to practice in New South Wales and then appointed to practice in Queensland by the Archbishop of Canterbury acting through the Master of the Faculties in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2019. His commission in Queensland does not expire. Very few Notary Publics have been appointed in more than one State or Territory. He is therefore one of the very few Notary Publics who is admitted to practice in two jurisdictions/States (New South Wales and Queensland).
Anthony has advised companies such as ANZ, NAB, St George, Bankwest, Carla Zampatti, Team Penske (V8 Racing), Gold Coast Suns FC, Swisse Australia, Jiffy Group and several other national and international corporations.
He regularly writes news updates and legal briefs and delivers internal seminars on a broad range of topics associated with the legal industry. He has guest lectured Immigration Law to law students for over 10 years at Bond University, Faculty of Law.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
- Banking and Finance Law
- Leasing Law
- Notary Public Services
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Bachelor of Business
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of New South Wales
- High Court of Australia
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
- Migration Alliance
- New South Wales Society of Notaries
- Queensland Society of Notaries Inc
- Committee Member of the Queensland Society of Notaries Inc
Mathew Perich
Co-founder
Lawyer
Mathew Perich is the Founder and Director of This Is Australia, and Founder and Lawyer for TIA Lawyers. Mathew has been assisting clients with all aspects of migration law and policy since 2002 and is well renowned among migration colleagues and the Department of Home Affairs.
He has managed thousands of migration applications, which has resulted in thousands of satisfied clients. His ample knowledge has added tremendous value to the firm’s success and development. For these reasons, This Is Australia now acts for and is on the panel for many national and multi-national corporate enterprises.
Along with providing Migration assistance and advice since 2002, Mathew holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honors and is a Migration Lawyer. He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia. Mathew also regularly writes news updates and legal briefs and delivers internal seminars on a broad range of topics associated with the migration industry. Mathew also lectures Immigration Law Policy at Bond University, Faculty of Law every year since 2014.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
Qualifications:
-
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
- Migration Institute of Australia
- Migration Alliance
Ernie Hu
Senior Associate Lawyer
Ernie Hu holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Bond University where he was also awarded with the First in Class achievement for Immigration Law. Despite experience with property, leasing and commercial law early in his legal career, his keen interest in helping migrants like he once was in 1995 has led him to practice exclusively in migration law.
Having joined This is Australia Lawyers in 2011, Ernie primarily focuses on complex migration matters such as character/integrity waivers, family violence provisions, health waivers, sponsorship monitoring, Administrative Appeals Tribunal applications and Ministerial Intervention requests across all visa subclasses.
As each complex matter is unique, Ernie utilises a personal approach by taking the time to really know his clients’ history and circumstances and using this information to structure concise but detailed legal arguments and submissions. It is with this approach that Ernie has achieved a comparatively high success rate across his matters, including earning commendations from Tribunal Members during hearings for his diligent representation of his clients.
Ernie is also experienced in handling business and investor visas which, along with his fluency in Mandarin, has assisted high net-worth individuals make multi-million dollar investments into Australia.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
- Education Law
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Bond University)
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
Other Languages:
- Mandarin
Sookyi Leong
Associate Lawyer
Sookyi Leong holds a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce from Griffith University.
Sookyi’s interest in migration law stemmed from her personal experience having emigrated to Australia over 14 years ago. Being new to the country at the time, she found the process to be a complex and challenging one but was fortunate to have the support of professionals in the field.
Sookyi has been with This is Australia Lawyers since 2012 and her personal journey has inspired her to practice exclusively in migration law. Sookyi has vast experience across a wide range of visa subclasses which enables her to develop practical strategies for clients with complex visa histories without compromising their long term goals. She also prides herself on being able to achieve successful results for clients who have experienced adverse visa outcomes prior to appointing our services.
She has a great understanding of the international education sector which has enabled her to advise on complex student visa matters dealing with compliance/ integrity as well as Administrative Appeals Tribunal applications. Sookyi primarily focuses on Family visas which include partner, parent, child as well as NZ Family Relationship visas.
Sookyi has also undertaken pro-bono work for the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland since 2012 and is a valued, long term volunteer with the organisation.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law)
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
Other Languages:
- Malaysian
The Rest of our Loyal Team
Rolf Maniebo – Paralegal (English/Filipino)
Edelyn Mejarito – Paralegal (English/Filipino)
Arnold Calimlim – Paralegal (English/Filipino)
Charlie Quinn – Office Manager (English)
Maria Arreza – Contract Administrator (Cebuano, Tagalog, English)
Steve Rungassamy – Case Manager, Migration (English, French, Mauritian Creole)
Audrey Leong – Case Manager, Migration (English, Malaysian)
Joy Bolastig – Administration Assistant and Case Manager, Migration (English, Talalog, Cebuano)
Darwin Suburbs We Cover
Our services extend across key Darwin suburbs, providing locals with reliable migration support close to home. In Palmerston, we assist growing families; in Casuarina, we focus on skilled professionals; Darwin City sees us guiding students and business migrants; Nightcliff benefits from our visa expertise; and in Parap, we offer tailored advice to meet individual needs. This community-focused approach ensures smooth and accessible support throughout these dynamic areas.
- Darwin City
- Parap
- Nightcliff
- Fannie Bay
- Stuart Park
Darwin Migration FAQ
Is a migration lawyer better than an agent?
Yes, for complex cases like appeals, as lawyers offer legal representation in court, while agents handle routine applications—based on guidelines from the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Can they help if my visa was refused?
Absolutely, we assist with appeals and reapplications, using our legal background to address refusals effectively.
Testimonials
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