AFFMA Is Still Accepting New Clients
Free Migration Agents
From the CEO’s Desk December 2017
AFFMA’s Moving Online In 2018
Dear Valued Readers,
Since 2013, AFFMA’s dedicated volunteers have provided legal advice to hundreds of refugees. We have lodged protection visa applications for refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Lybia, Iran and Nigeria, among other countries.
Our lawyers, migration agents, acting CEO, board members, office staff, practice manager, bookkeepers, Graphic designer, legal assistant and newsletter team have all contributed to AFFMA’s great success. However, a lack of funding has made it increasingly difficult to maintain our office space, and at its last meeting, the Board voted to move AFFMA’s operations fully online starting in January 2018.
Moving Online
This restructure is an opportunity to cut down on operating costs such as rent, electricity, and other office expenses and refocus our attention and resources on our clients. Starting in January, clients will contact our support desk by filling out a form on our website or by sending an email to <support@affma.org.au>.
The support team will forward all inquiries to one of AFFMA’s volunteer lawyers or migration agents, who will then contact the client and organise a meeting to discuss the case. If it has merits and is within the lawyer’s or migration agent’s area of expertise, he or she will help the client apply for a protection visa.
Our fee structure will remain unchanged; we continue to offer our services free of charge, with an administrative fee of $250 per application plus GST.
Current Clients Will Not Be Affected By The Restructuring
Our current clients will not be affected by our restructure. Their lawyer or migration agent will continue to assist with their cases until a decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs.
AFFMA went fully online from January 2018. All contacts now are to me made to info@affma.org.au. All other correspondence must be addressed to:
Association of Fee Free Migration Agents (AFFMA)
PO Box 883
Rockdale, NSW 2216
We thank you all for your continuing support and we wish you all a happy holiday season.
Joël Gédéon
CEO
Pro Bono Immigration Lawyer
Volunteer Migration Agents Wanted – August 2017
WANTED: Volunteer Migration Agents
AFFMA is looking for volunteer migration agents to work with our growing client base.
AFFMA is an Approved Voluntary Organisation.
Please email your expression of interest to the CEO info[@]affma.org.au
Do you have a vacancy you wish to advertise? AFFMA’s Members can advertise vacancies free of charge. Please email <Recruitment@affma.org.au>
VOLUNTEER Migration Agents Wanted – July 2017
URGENTLY WANTED: Volunteer Migration Agents
AFFMA is looking for migration agents who are willing to complete a protection visa on a pro bono basis, either at their own office/home or at AFFMA’s office in Newtown.
AFFMA is an Approved Voluntary Organisation.
Migration agents volunteering with us can claim one CPD point for every three hours of pro bono work.
Please email your expression of interest to the CEO <Recruitment@affma.org.au>
Do you have a vacancy you wish to advertise? AFFMA’s Members can advertise vacancies free of charge. Please email <Recruitment@affma.org.au>
From The Acting CEO’s Desk – July 2017
More Legal Team Members Wanted!
Last month AFFMA welcomed new volunteer Migration Agents and legal assistants to the legal team, allowing us to service the steady stream of referrals from other agencies who support refugees.
We need more!
Additional volunteer migration agents are welcome to apply to join the team.
Financial Overheads
The entire legal, admin, marketing, newsletter, and finance teams consist of volunteers, meaning that AFFMA has no staffing costs. This is what allows us to provide fee-free legal services to our clients. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for our office overheads, such as rent, stationery, telephone, postage, the internet, and multiple insurances.
Fundraising Sale
This is why we are currently holding a fundraising sale. Click here for details.
Karyn Clarke
Acting CEO
