More than 13 years ago, I arrived in Australia on a student visa, having already completed various degrees in Poland: Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, and Master’s Degree in Business Management. At the time, I planned to continue in health, but life has a way of opening new doors when you least expect it.
My career took a different direction when I started working in the Australian immigration industry. That first role planted the seed of what would become my lifelong passion. Every day, I saw people’s lives transformed as their visas were granted. Witnessing families reunited and skilled professionals starting new chapters inspired me deeply. It was in that environment that I realised how rewarding it was to guide people through such an important journey.
Motivated by that experience, I decided to become a registered migration agent. I wanted to provide professional guidance and support to people navigating Australia’s complex migration system. Being an agent gave me the chance to make a real difference, but it also made me realise something important: there were limits to what I could do. Many clients didn’t just have migration issues; their matters sometimes touched on family law, employment disputes, or even criminal law. As an agent, I couldn’t give them that broader advice, nor could I represent them in court. I wanted to be able to take a more holistic approach, to stand beside my clients not just at the Tribunal but also in court if their cases required it. That’s when I knew I needed to take the next step: becoming a lawyer.
I began with the Graduate Diploma of Migration Law at Victoria University. The course was practical and engaging, with real-life scenarios taught by practising migration lawyers. At first, I studied online while living in Queensland, but after my first semester, my family and I decided to relocate to Melbourne. They are a great support for me. Our family works as a team and we’ve learned how important it is to have each other.
The workplace learning opportunities at VU were invaluable. My placement with one of Melbourne’s best-known law firms gave me exposure to real cases and inspired me to continue with the Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry). I found VU’s Block Model of study to be very effective. Focusing on one subject at a time made it more manageable and helped me balance study with my growing practice.
Now, I am admitted as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia, which entitles me to represent clients in courts throughout Australia. I can now truly offer my clients the full spectrum of legal support they deserve. Building on my experience as a migration agent and my background in business and human resources, I started my own practice, which has now grown into Salia Lawyers & Associates Pty Ltd. Through my firm, I provide comprehensive assistance across family and partner visas, skilled and work visas, business and innovation visas, graduate visas, skills assessments, citizenship applications, and appeals of visa refusals and cancellations.
Starting Salia Lawyers & Associates Pty Ltd is not just about professional growth. It is about giving back. I know what it feels like to arrive in a new country, to navigate uncertainty, and to hope for a better future. My own journey has shaped the way I practise: with empathy, dedication, and a commitment to clarity.
Looking back, I can see how each stage of my journey led to the next. My first role in the immigration industry gave me purpose, becoming an agent helped me build knowledge and experience, and studying law gave me the ability to offer a more holistic service. What began as a single seed of inspiration has flourished into a practice built on trust, dedication, and the belief that every client deserves a champion by their side.
