Migration Manager practices often have years of matters, trust records and templates. This guide explains how to move the client and matter records you work with every day into AgentDS, step by step, while keeping Migration Manager available until you are sure the move is complete.
This guide is about Migration Manager at migrationmanager.com.au, the Australian immigration software, not Microsoft's file migration tool. Everything we say about it comes from migrationmanager.com.au, checked on 28 September 2026. If something has changed, tell us and we'll correct it.
Before you start
- Check your agreement. Migration Manager is sold per licence on 12, 24 or 36-month agreements. Note your renewal date and plan the move well before it.
- Know where your documents are. Migration Manager backs documents up to a file storage location you choose, such as Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive, so your files are already in your own storage.
- Decide what moves. Most practices bring clients, matters, tasks, notes, invoices and payments. Keep your trust account records and ledgers in the system your accountant works with.
- Keep Migration Manager running until the imported records have been checked.
Step 1: Export your reports to Excel
Migration Manager's features page says reports can be built "from almost any piece of data recorded" and exported to Excel. Build one report per record type, such as clients, matters, tasks, file notes, invoices and payments, and export each to Excel. Include an ID or email column on every report so records can be linked.
Step 2: Keep an untouched copy
Copy the exported files and don't open the copy again. It is your record of what Migration Manager held on the day you exported, and your fallback if a test goes wrong.
Step 3: Import a small test batch
Start your free trial and import 20 to 50 clients with their matters first. A small batch shows how your report columns map and which values need tidying before the full import.
Step 4: Match your fields
AgentDS reads CSV, Excel, TSV, JSON and supported ZIP exports. For each file you choose what it holds (clients, leads, applications, tasks, appointments, documents, invoices, payments or notes), match each column to an AgentDS field, and preview every row before anything is saved. Each row is marked Ready, Already present or Needs attention, with the reason, so you can fix the source and upload again.
Map each matter to an AgentDS application with its visa subclass, stream, TRN, lodgement date and Home Affairs status where your report has them. Map the stage column to your AgentDS stages, and match staff by email so each record keeps its responsible person.
Step 5: Check duplicates and links
AgentDS checks each incoming client against the records already in your workspace and marks likely duplicates as already present. Matters, tasks, notes, invoices and payments link to their client by client ID or email, so check that every linked row found its client.
Step 6: Compare with the original
Compare the imported test batch with your untouched copy: client numbers, a handful of matters with their stages and dates, and invoice totals and balances. When it matches, import the rest.
Step 7: Switch over, then cancel
Choose the date AgentDS becomes the working system for day-to-day follow-up. Some practices keep Migration Manager for lodgement and trust while they settle in; others move completely. Cancel or let your agreement lapse at renewal under its terms, once you are sure nothing is missing.
After the move
Record visa expiries so visa expiry tracking and its reminder emails start, set up document checklists for your common matters, and invite the team. For a side-by-side look, read AgentDS vs Migration Manager, or compare fifteen products in our comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What format should I export from Migration Manager?
Excel reports work well. AgentDS also reads CSV, TSV, JSON and supported ZIP exports.
Can I bring matter details such as the TRN and lodgement date?
Yes. Map those columns to the application's matter details during the import. The subclass, stream, TRN, HAP ID, lodgement date and Home Affairs status are all available.
What about my documents?
Your documents are already in the file storage you chose for Migration Manager. Attach the files you need to AgentDS document records as each matter continues; uploads are stored privately in Sydney and checked for malware.
Should I wait for my agreement to end?
Plan the move before your renewal date, run both side by side while you check, and end the agreement under its terms when you are ready.