AHWC - Key Persons
Andrea has lived her life here in Melbourne. In her early 20's Andrea and her business partner set up a mechanical repair business in Ringwood which they successfully owned and operated for 30 years, employing countless staff over the years. In 2016 the business was sold to allow Andrea's business partner to retire. Andrea then began subcontracting her services to a variety of companies to assist in running their businesses, contributing her vast experience and knowledge of bookkeeping, business and staff management, and general operating procedures.
Andrea met AHWC owners Seamus and Maggie Taaffe in 2019 and was initially engaged in a casual role which quickly grew to almost full time. Andrea enjoys the variety of work, responsibility afforded to her and of course the working environment at AHWC.
Andrea has 2 sons, enjoys gardening, bike riding and cooking and can always be found on the weekends cheering on her beloved football team.
Kayla holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Global Studies from Australian Catholic University and was admitted as an Australian Legal Practitioner in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2023.
Kayla joined AHWC Immigration Law in 2024 after spending 9 months travelling around Europe.
She has previous experience working with Protection Visas, as well as working in Not-For-Profit Law. Kayla has also interned overseas with a charity in Cambodia, where she helped to develop workshops for School curriculums to combat microfinance and migration issues.
Kayla has always aspired to practice as an Immigration Lawyer, and finds this work particularly fulfilling. Outside of Immigration Law, Kayla is passionate about travel, books and Formula 1
Maddie joined AHWC after completing her Bachelor of Laws and Criminology at La Trobe University, and was admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2021. Prior to joining AHWC, Maddie volunteered at Community Legal Centres and Victoria Legal Aid, and conducted research for members of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. It was in these roles that Maddie discovered her passion for administrative law and ensuring legal procedures are accessible to all.
Maddie specialises in employer-sponsored visas and finds her work as an immigration lawyer incredibly rewarding. She takes pride in contributing to the AHWC team and is committed to providing excellent legal support to her clients.
Maggie is a dedicated immigration law professional with a diverse background. Born in the United Kingdom, she spent her early childhood in India before immigrating to South Africa with her family. In 1987, Maggie made Australia her home and became a citizen in 1992.
Maggie always wanted to study law, and earned her Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Hons) from Deakin University in 2002, earning the Supreme Court Exhibition prize in her final year. After being admitted as a solicitor in 2004, she advanced her career by signing the Bar Roll in 2008.
Before joining AHWC Immigration Law, Maggie held several senior legal positions, including serving as a senior associate at a prominent Melbourne legal firm and practising as a barrister at the Victorian Bar as a member of Dever's List. Her extensive experience has equipped her with the skills to navigate complex immigration matters effectively.
Maggie is the go-to expert for intricate immigration legal challenges and she has an impressive success rate with reviews of adverse decisions, including AAT appeals. At AHWC, Maggie remains committed to advocating for those navigating the complexities of the legal system.
Mancy has over 5 years' experience working in the Australian education and migration industry, with the knowledge and expertise across various visa types including General Skilled visas, Employer Sponsored visas, Partner visas and Parent visas and Student and Guardian visa.
Mancy is fluent in English and Mandarin and she enjoys the work as a migration agent.
Marise is one of our Legal Assistants at AHWC Immigration Law. Originally from Ireland, Marise has been living in Australia for the last year with no plans to go home anytime soon! She graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Law with First Class Honours.
Marise has gained significant experience in the legal sector, working diligently as a paralegal and legal assistant for the last three years. Her roles have allowed her to develop a comprehensive understanding of legal procedures, client management and document review.
Marise is enjoying the work at AHWC and with a strong foundation and interest in Law, she is focused on advancing her career and achieving the goal of qualifying as a Lawyer in the near future.
Outside of the office, Marise enjoys travelling, spending time with friends and trying out Melbourne's variety of amazing restaurants and coffee shops.
Job Titles:
- Administration & Recruitment
Michelle is part of the Administration team at AHWC Immigration Law. She has over eight years of administration experience in various sectors including medical general practice, hospitals and publishing. She has extensive experience in customer service and her strengths are in organisation and change implementation.
She comes from an Afghan background and is a first generation Australian with her family immigrating to Australia in the 1990's. As well as English, Michelle is able to speak Dari and understand Farsi.
Michelle has completed a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University with a major in Human Resource Management and since completing her degree, Michelle has joined our sister company, LORG Talent, as a Recruitment Consultant.
Outside of work, you can find Michelle exploring Melbourne's many food and entertainment attractions with her fiancé and friends or spending quality time with her nephews with a good cup of coffee in hand.
Natalie was admitted to the legal profession as an Australian Lawyer in 2017. She graduated from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance), Graduate Certificate in Australian Immigration Law and Practice and completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the College of Law. Natalie has a wealth of experience in corporate migration, employer sponsored visas and family visas. She excels in conducting strategic consultations with businesses and private clients, offering tailored immigration solutions and pathway advice. Her knowledge and adept navigation of immigration laws and procedures consistently delivers favourable outcomes for her clients. Known for her expertise, dedication, and proactive approach, Natalie has earned a reputation as a trusted advisor in the immigration sector.
Founder FCA | Registered Migration Agent | Chartered Accountant
Shelby is no stranger to the Australian visa process as she was born in Zimbabwe and migrated with her family from England in 2006. She understands how important securing a successful visa outcome is, having gone through it herself and helping her own family come to Australia.
With a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business Management from Swinburne, she was admitted in the Supreme Court and High Court of Victoria and has spent her entire legal career in immigration law.
Shelby's passion for migration stems from her own experiences, as well as her affinity for helping others - she is very passionate about access to justice and legal technology.
Her career goal includes becoming an accredited specialist in migration law, as she enjoys complex scenarios and problem-solving visa pathways.
When Shelby is not in the office, you can find her in the kitchen cooking with her family, or playing netball.
Originally from Ireland, Sinead relocated to Australia a couple of years ago, having visited before and enjoyed the culture. Sinead is very lucky to have family here.
Prior to settling in Australia, she has called Argentina, Malta, and the UAE home, embracing each experience wholeheartedly. With a degree in Politics and International Relations, Sinead brings her knowledge and practise of administration to her career. She has six years of expertise in administration and customer service, demonstrating a strong commitment to professionalism and efficiency.
Xiaodan is AHWC's highly experienced Senior Manager and expert Migration Agent with over 15 years of expertise in the Australian migration industry, both in China and Australia. Born in Beijing, Xiaodan immigrated to Australia with her family in 2014, bringing a personal understanding of the migration journey that many families face.
In 2015, she completed a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice and quickly established herself as a trusted professional in the field.
Xiaodan has extensive knowledge of all visa types, with a particular focus on Employer-Sponsored Visas. She is recognised for her skillful ability to obtain Labour Agreements for corporate clients, showcasing her commitment to facilitating smooth migration processes for clients needing overseas workers whose occupations are "off-list."
Fluent in English and Mandarin, including the Shanghai Dialect, Xiaodan effectively bridges cultural and language gaps for her clients. Now residing in Melbourne, she has also successfully assisted numerous Chinese families in navigating their migration journeys to Australia, reflecting her dedication to helping others achieve their dreams of living and working in this vibrant and diverse country.
Yoonsun Cha (Yoon) was born and raised in South Korea. She completed her Bachelor of Law at Sungkyunkwan University in 2013. Yoon has experience working in a corporate finance team in Singapore.
With over three years of experience in the Australian education and migration industry, Yoon is fluent in English, Japanese, and Korean.
In Australia, she is an avid fan of the NRL Melbourne Storm and enjoys attending concerts and engaging in various leisure activities whenever possible.
At AHWC Immigration Law, Yoon assists our Australian immigration law specialists, dedicating herself to thoroughly exploring and understanding Australian immigration law.