Failure stories
What didn't work — refusals, scams, bad agents, dodgy landlords. So others can avoid the same.
Trusted an "agent" for my partner visa — turns out he wasn't even MARA-registered
Paid him $3,200 in instalments to "handle" my 820 application. He was a family friend of a friend. Half the documents he submitted on my behalf were factually wrong (wrong employment dates, wrong relationship start date). Immigration sent an RFI, I started reading it carefully, realised the application was a mess. Looked him up on the MARA register — not on it. Never was. Reported him to ABF and got a real registered agent to fix the mess (another $2,800). Visa eventually approved but it took an extra 8 months. Two-second check: https://www.mara.gov.au is the only register that matters. If they're not on it, they cannot legally give immigration assistance for a fee, full stop.
Anonymous Lonely Pademelon · 3 replies · 0 reactions
I lost $4,800 to a fake rental on Facebook Marketplace in my first month
Posting because I didn't see anything like this when I was searching and I want the next person to see it. Listing was a 1-bed in Surry Hills for $480/wk, looked too good but the photos checked out, the "landlord" had a believable story (overseas for work, wanted reliable tenant). I transferred bond + 2 weeks rent to a personal Aussie bank account after a polite back-and-forth over 4 days. Then nothing. Number disconnected, account closed at the bank, FB profile deleted. Reverse image search later showed the photos were from a Melbourne listing from 2022. Rules I now live by: only rent through a licensed agent OR view in person OR use a verified Flatmates.com.au listing with reviews. Never transfer money before a signed lease.
Anonymous Sincere Lyrebird · 3 replies · 0 reactions
Took the first job offer and signed without reading. 6 months of underpayment.
Hospitality role, casual, "above award" they told me. I was relieved to have anything and didn't check the actual award rate. Worked there 6 months, never got penalty rates for Sundays, never got the casual loading on my hourly. Looked at the Fair Work pay tool last week (https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pact). I was underpaid by about $3,400. Lodged a recovery claim with FWO this morning. Lesson: spend 20 minutes on the Fair Work Ombudsman website before you sign anything. The award rates are public and the calculator is genuinely good.
Anonymous Quiet Quoll · 3 replies · 0 reactions