根據第 56 條須保存七年紀錄

Section 56 of the Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2021 requires a registered migration agent to keep certain records for seven years. The practical issue is that clients often ask for passports, bank statements, certificates or application copies back during or after a matter, and some assume that means the agent no longer has to keep anything. It does not, because the duty to return client documents under s54 and the duty to retain records under s56 are separate obligations.

第 56 條要求什麼#

Migration Agents Code of Conduct 2021 的 Section 56 規定，註冊移民代理（registered migration agent）必須保存紀錄七年。這七年從代理最後一次向客戶提供移民協助（immigration assistance）之日起計。

這是一項保存紀錄規則，不是允許永遠扣留客戶原始財產的許可。它存在的目的是在有投訴、審計、費用爭議，或對完成了哪些工作及給了哪些指示有疑問時，能有可追溯的檔案。

The retention duty sits alongside other Code duties. For example, s42 requires a written agreement, s46 deals with the fee structure, s49 requires invoices and receipts, and s54 requires documents to be returned within 14 days if the client asks. Section 56 means that even after returning documents, the agent still needs to keep the records the Code requires.

需要保存哪些記錄#

The Code is aimed at keeping a complete file of the work done for the client. In practice, that usually includes the service agreement, file notes, client instructions, copies of forms, correspondence, invoices, receipts, trust or client account records where relevant, and copies of documents used in the matter.

A proper file will often also include emails, text-based instructions, identity documents provided for the matter, supporting evidence sent with an application, drafts that show material changes, and records of advice or explanations given as part of the service. If Form 956 was used to appoint the representative, that form would usually be part of the retained file because it records the authorised relationship under Migration Act 1958 s312A.

財務紀錄也很重要。如果有收款，檔案通常需要顯示收取了什麼費用、支付了什麼、何時支付，以及如何開立收據，這又關聯到 Code 的 s46、s49、s50 和 s51。

理解這項規則最安全的方式是這樣：如果某份文件或通訊顯示了做了哪些工作、有哪些授權、有哪些款項往來，或依據了哪些材料，那它很可能屬於應保留的紀錄。

七年是多久，以及從什麼時候開始起算#

s56 的重點是，七年期間是從該事項中提供移民協助的最後一天起算。它不一定是從簽署協議當天、遞交申請當天，或收到簽證結果當天起算。

That matters because some files continue after lodgement. There may be requests for information, health or police clearance updates, bridging visa correspondence, or post-decision communications. If those later steps are part of the assistance being provided, the record period usually runs from the last of those steps.

這就是為什麼即使客戶認為事情已經結束，代理仍可能在很久之後保留檔案。這項規則是根據最後一次提供協助的時間，而不只是工作的開始時間。如果不確定某個提供移民協助 (immigration assistance) 的人是否真的已註冊， 查核服務提供者 ，再寄送文件或付款。

為什麼依據 s54 退回文件不會取消 s56#

第 54 條和第 56 條的作用不同。第 54 條規定，註冊移民代理必須在客戶要求時歸還客戶文件，且必須在 14 天內辦理。第 56 條則規定，代理仍必須保存紀錄七年。

這表示歸還正本，甚至把客戶帶來的整份實體文件包都歸還，也不會消除保存義務。代理可以同時遵守這兩條規定：把文件還給客戶，並在檔案中保留副本或數位紀錄。

This distinction is important because "documents" and "records" are not the same thing in practice. A passport, birth certificate, lease, bank statement or skills letter may belong to the client and need to be returned on request under s54. But the agent's retained record can still include scans, file notes, copies of forms, email chains, billing records and evidence of what was lodged or relied on.

這項規則也保護雙方。如果之後出現投訴、對費用有誤解，或有人主張某項內容有或沒有提供，就可以查核保留的檔案。這也是 Code 把歸還義務和保存義務分開規定的原因之一。

這在日常實務中的樣子#

Many migration practices now keep electronic files. A client may provide original paper documents or email PDF copies, and the office scans, saves and indexes them in its system before returning originals. That allows the practice to meet the s54 return rule while still maintaining the seven-year file required by s56.

A typical retained file may include a copy of the written agreement, proof the consumer guide was given first under s38, a copy of Form 956 if used, copies of lodged forms, supporting evidence, email correspondence, invoices and receipts, and notes of phone calls or meetings. If funds were handled through a client account, the accounting records linked to s50 would usually also be retained.

客戶有時會以為「請把我的檔案還給我」表示每一份副本都必須刪除。對註冊移民代理而言，Section 56 的方向正好相反。行為守則要求保留七年，因此僅因客戶要求而刪除，並不等同於合規。

同樣的實務重點，在轉換到新代表時也可能重要。離任代理可能會歸還正本並提供副本檔案，同時仍保留其自身須保存至法定期間的紀錄。如果某人在更換代表前想取得第二份報價，他們可以 說明案件並取得報價 來自註冊移民代理或 Australian legal practitioners。

為何有這項規定#

七年保存期有助於監督、處理投訴和保障消費者。如果 OMARA 調查行為問題，或對授權內容或收費內容有爭議，檔案就需要存在，而且要可閱讀。

It also protects the integrity of the migration advice system. Record keeping makes it easier to verify whether a representative acted within authority, gave the required disclosures, used a written agreement, and handled money properly. These are basic accountability steps, not optional office preferences.

The rule also has an evidentiary value. In migration matters, applications often involve identity, relationship, employment, study, health or character documents. If false or misleading material later becomes an issue, retained records can help establish what was received and what was lodged. False documents and false information can have serious consequences under the Migration Act 1958, including s234 and s245AR, and may also connect with PIC 4020 in some contexts.

消費者可透過自行保存所有寄給代表的資料之有條理副本，來減少混亂。VisaBid 的 consumer guide 也說明了與註冊移民代理打交道時適用的一些基本保障。

良好的紀錄保存與客戶期望管理#

對客戶而言，實際教訓很簡單。根據 s54 要求取回正本，是關於文件占有，而不是抹除代理人的合規檔案。註冊移民代理人根據 s56 仍有自己的法律義務，須保存相關紀錄七年。

對代理而言，實務上的教訓是要把原始文件與留存紀錄分開，並在 service agreement 和結案流程中清楚說明這個差異。這樣可減少日後對於事務所是否可以在歸還正本後保留副本的爭議。

如果對文件、費用或檔案處理有爭議，第一步通常是索取書面協議、發票和收據，並確認要求了什麼以及何時提出。若需要投訴程序，VisaBid 有一般資訊可供參考 投訴 以及其中的其他主題 指南資料庫.

常見問題#

移民代理在把我的文件還給我後，還可以保留副本嗎？#

是的，s54 和 s56 處理的是不同事項。註冊移民代理（MARN（移民代理註冊號））可在依 s54 提出要求後 14 天內歸還客戶文件，同時仍保留副本及其他檔案紀錄七年，這是依 s56 的要求。

移民代理記錄的七年期限從什麼時候開始？#

第 56 條是從代理人在該事項中最後一次提供移民協助（immigration assistance）之日起算。這不一定是合約簽署日或申請遞交日。

第 54 條是否表示整個檔案都必須刪除？#

不是。第 54 條是關於應要求歸還客戶文件，不是刪除代理的紀錄。第 56 條要求註冊移民代理保留相關紀錄七年。

移民代理必須保存哪些紀錄達七年？#

The retained file will usually include the written agreement, file notes, correspondence, forms, supporting evidence, invoices, receipts and any client account records relevant to the work. The exact contents depend on the matter, but the purpose is to preserve a reliable record of the assistance provided.

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關於本指南。 這是關於某項程序在澳洲如何運作的一般資訊。這不是 immigration assistance，也不是針對你情況的建議。根據 section 280 of the Migration Act 1958 只有註冊移民代理或澳洲法律執業者可以提供這項服務。政府收費會按指數調整，而且大多數會在 1 July 變更，所以請自行查核任何金額於 immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, 並在以下位置查核任何代理 OMARA（移民代理註冊管理局）名冊.