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Home Affairs agency reveals website search function incorrectly revealed a small amount of data in May.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs’ Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority has disclosed that an accidental data breach saw the details of six registered migration agents inadvertently shared online.
“The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) has been affected by a data breach concerning the OMARA Portal on the OMARA website,” an OMARA spokesperson said in a July 14 media release.
“On 6 May 2025, the OMARA became aware that when a user searched for a registered migration agent’s (RMA’s) name in the search function on the OMARA Portal, certain internal documents were accessible to view and download.
“The OMARA Portal was immediately shut down and departmental experts conducted an investigation that concluded the data breach was understood to be a small and isolated event and the disclosure was not the result of a malicious or criminal attack.”
OMARA’s investigation revealed that between May 5 and 6, six individuals were impacted by the issue. The internal documents that were accessed include agent full names, Migration Agent Registration Numbers, related business contacts, and commentary that OMARA collects regarding the agents as part of its normal functions.
The OMARA has said, however, that it is unable to confirm if further documents relating to any other agents were accessed incorrectly.
“The OMARA has reported the matter to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner,” the spokesperson said.
“The OMARA is committed to complying with its obligations under the Privacy Act 1988 and ensuring appropriate systems are in place to maintain the privacy of clients and the protection of their personal information.”
The OMARA portal is now online and functioning normally, and the six individuals have been contacted and offered support.
The Migration Agents Registration Authority’s role is to investigate complaints regarding registered migration agents and protect the consumers who rely upon them. The office monitors more than 5,000 such agents, which it provides continuing professional development services to.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.
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