Melanie Macfarlane is a registered and practising Migration Agent with over 17 years’ experience securing visas for migrants to live, work and study in Australia. She has worked with individuals, families and employers from small to large-scale businesses, all with the same common goal – to explore new opportunities and create a happy world, one migrant at a time. 

Melanie founded MMMigration & Recruitment and VETA Education & Migration in 2007 and has since grown the company to offices across 3 states in Australia as well as Colombia, Chile and Mexico. She’s built a passionate, like-minded team who embody her positive values, setting them apart as leaders in the migration industry. From MMMigration’s and VETA’s vibrant offices to their professional service, the team reduces the stress and confusion from the migration process, ensuring peace of mind and positive outcomes. To date, MMMigration and VETA have helped over 10,000 people with a 99% success rate in helping migrants gain visas and permanent residence in Australia.

A migrant herself, Melanie was born in Freetown, West Africa and grew up in Vanuatu and Indonesia where her diverse circle of friends gave her a good understanding around equality and opportunities to succeed. Her experience as an English language teacher in Indonesia, an education consultant and a recruiter in bringing chefs over from Peru, has created for her a solid network, particularly in her focus areas of childcare, hospitality, aged care, IT, engineering and agriculture. Melanie's motivation to educate, unite and support a policy of attracting highly skilled workers to expand the Australian economy is integral in shaping Australia and bringing innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly at a time when around 50% of all current jobs will soon cease to exist. She aims to connect, collaborate and present Australia as part of a global village, where immigration has built its cities and communities and has always been an important stimulus for economic prosperity.

Robert Parsonson (Executive Officer, ISEAA) has 28 years in education and education export services, working within Australia and internationally. He is an expert on the development and execution of international student marketing strategies and offshore market entry. With experience in ELICOS, VET and higher education institutions, Rob’s ability to take novice businesses on their first foray into international markets and guide their journey to build sustainable long-term international student businesses is widely recognised. 

Rob’s previous clients include StudyNSW, helping develop the IET Strategy for StudyNT, an education agency strategy for Study Queensland, and a VET study with education agents for the IEO of the SA Government.

In 2017 (in Melbourne) Rob facilitated the first education agent symposium in Australia – The Symposium on Leading Education Recruitment (sympled.com.au) - that was repeated in Brisbane in 2018.  The symposium encouraged the formation of the International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA) in 2018. The International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA) was started to provide a peak body for education agents to advocate to government, peak bodies, providers and change some of the perceptions around the role education agents. Since the formation of ISEAA, education agents have given evidence to the Migration Committee in Canberra, and are actively engaging with DoE, DHA, Austrade, the office of the Overseas Students Ombudsman, and other international education peak bodies

Akram Mardini has over 13 years of knowledge and experience in the education industry. His proven record of accomplishment is evident through the long standing ventures and relationships he maintains globally. Akram Currently is the General Manager of Student World and heads the companies expansion plans across global markets, with innovative thinking Akram removed the barriers across single market agencies and currently orchestrates recruitment across over 17 countries globally. Currently also a board member of ACA ( Arab Council Australia ) and has comprehensive understanding of the core of the issues facing the international education industry and is an active contributor to the enhancement of Australia’s reputation as a preferred destination for international students.

Originally from Colombia, Ana arrived in Australia in 2013.  Based in Sydney, Ana has been a student counsellor for Australia and New Zealand studies since 2014, enjoying so much having the opportunity to help people fulfil their dreams. However, her counselling years started back in 1998, counselling young students wanting to travel overseas and opening their wings to the world, no matter where their dreams may take them.  Ana is the founder and Director of "Oolloo Education". She engages many diverse and highly motivated colleagues to make the journey of her students, not only achievable, but a truely personal and enjoyable experience.  Ana and her team specialise in guiding students with any perceived or actual feelings of exclusion. Whether they feel they have a difference, have privacy or medical issues or just need an extra hand. 

Ana is also part of the commercial branch of "Flor a Fruto", which is a Colombian Specialty Coffee company dedicated to produce and export exquisite Colombian and Panamanian coffees to those that like a real good cuppa. 

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Mum of Mariana and Miguel, wife of Dooley. Ana is an Industrial Designer by profession with long experience in entrepreneurship, manufacturing, importing and exporting goods.  Nowadays, she is again at Uni learning how to guide her students onto the correct path if they desire to have a longer experience in Australia. Ana studied Australian Migration Law Practice at UTS in Sydney and is a Qualified Education Agent Counsellor. 

Michal Sestak is an education and migration consultant with over 28 years’ experience, founder of SIS Consulting migration and AustraliaOnline education.

Michal was born in the Czech Republic and when he was 18 and finish HSC he moved to Germany to pursue further study. He arrived in Australia as an international student in late 1993 and immediately became involved in the international education industry. As a student in Australia and later on as a permanent resident he completed degree in Management (CQU), Finance (UNSW) and Migration law (UTS), which lead to his registration as migration agent in 2002. His personal experience as an international student strongly influenced and shaped the culture of his company/agency.

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SIS Consulting/AustraliaOnline under his leadership became highly focused boutique education and migration agency with 6 offices across the world (Aus, EU and Latam). Michal’s work with education providers, migration associations, international students, migration pro bono work for legal centres etc demonstrates his huge enthusiasm and passion for the industry. He actively advocates protection of international students’ rights in the context of their Australian education and is helping fellow agents to navigate the complex issues of Migration Regulations, ESOS Act, National Code etc. Michal also represents international student at the Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT) in case of a visa refusal.

Michal has an ingrained sense of duty of care towards all his clients and constantly provides them with professional, up-to-date and realistic advice for their future.

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His work is best reflected with ISEAA, which he is a founding member of. ISEAA Michal is often invited to speak at forums, runs migration and education training sessions, attends international Expo and participates in discussion with various government departments.             

With over 10-years of experience in international student recruitment, Lesley brings her industry marketing experience to the team.

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Lesley has built and managed 3 education agencies (QEAC No: L259). The first being Drake Student Recruitment for the global employment company Drake International. She then struck out on her own as the founder of Visa Application Australia, and later, International Student Australia.

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Lesley hails from Canada and has been an Australian citizen since 2000. She studied political science at the University of Toronto, then completed postgraduate studies in teaching at Western Sydney University, returning to Australia as a skilled migrant a few years later. She has additionally been an international student in France, Guatemala, and Ecuador.

“I've lived, travelled & studied in 80 countries, and hold 3 citizenships, so the international student industry is such a natural fit for me. I understand the challenges & rewards of taking the big step of living elsewhere. I thoroughly enjoy working in our dynamic industry, full of like-minded clients and colleagues.”

Lesley has extensive knowledge of agency-side recruitment and works with over 60 education providers across Australia. Aside from the student placement function, she consults to VET colleges on market trends & growth opportunities.