Founder · Registered Migration Agent and Interview Team Leader · Australian Registered Migration Agent MARN 2619185 · New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser IAA 202602618 · Member, Migration Institute of Australia · Member, Migration Alliance
The short version of me is on this page: registrations, career, receipts. The long version - the apprenticeship, the visa refusal, the kitchen table, the union years, three attempts at retirement, with the documents - is One Founder’s Journey.
I founded my first recruitment company with my wife Frances in 2000, we founded and acquired additional companies along the way and in 2015 we merged the whole group into Skilled Migration Group.
I served my time as a first-class welder and pipefitter in oil and gas, migrated to Australia in 1992 and qualified as a CSWIP Welding Inspector and an AS 1796 Welding Supervisor. Since 2004 I have recruited skilled tradespeople internationally, and I was instrumental in developing the international recruitment programs used by two of the world’s largest Caterpillar dealers and by the second largest OEM in Australia. I finish a Master’s in Australian Migration Law and Practice this November.
- Time-served welder and pipefitter · oil and gas, Europe
- Migrated to Australia, January 1992
- CSWIP Welding Inspector (TWI Certification Ltd)
- AS 1796 Certificate No. 10, Welding Supervisor: certified not just to do the work, but to inspect and supervise other people’s
- Director of International Affairs, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines, 2006-2010
- Founded our first recruitment company with Frances in 2000; we founded and acquired additional companies along the way and merged the whole group into Skilled Migration Group in 2015
- Instrumental in developing the Hastings Deering Australia Limited (HDAL) International Recruitment program from 2008, and in 2010 extended to other Australian Caterpillar dealers and 2012 the second largest OEM heavy equipment company in Australia
- Wrote the group quality management system, certified by SAI Global against ISO 9001, passed external audit first time
- Certificate in TEFL, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL Toulouse, France, 2017)
- Brevet Professionnel Agricole - Travaux forestiers, bûcheronnage (French Ministry of Agriculture, 2020): the French forestry diploma - felling and timber work
- French national vocational qualification in hydraulic excavator and loader operation (Titre Professionnel, 2022), and a current CACES R482 plant operator’s certificate valid to 2031
- Graduate Diploma Australian Migration Law and Practice
- Australian Registered Migration Agent - MARN 2619185 (Verify with MARA)
- New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser - IAA 202602618 (Verify with the IAA)
No Recruitment Costs or Fees. Ever.
We never charge recruitment costs or fees to workers. No hidden charges. No high-interest loans to pay off.
We are paid by the companies that need skilled and experienced people. Ethical employers do not allow their workers to be charged fees. Read our Code of Conduct and Modern Slavery Policy.
There is always another chance to make money. Integrity and reputation can never be replaced once lost.
Reviews
Twenty-six Google reviews name Dennis. Three are quoted below exactly as written, with the […] symbols marking anything left out. You can read the full set on our reviews page.
From workers and their families
“My journey began in 2012 when i first met Dennis during interviews in Lusaka was not considered then. After the interview Dennis told me to get more experience on mining machinery. It took me 12 years to finally make it to Australia. […] All the process which i took from Interviews, Medicals, Visa processing and Air Ticket i did not pay any Coin, all was paid by Skilled Migration Group. Thank you so much Dennis for your continuous communication to see that my stay is safe.”
Bwalya Kalobwe, Diesel Fitter · Google review, record 064 (read it in full)
“I had a very interactive discussion with Dennis Henry, Brent and Tim Guinea in Lusaka Zambia although I did not make it that time at that moment, I was told the areas I was supposed to work on and I made sure that i worked very hard. […] I was successful and the recruitment process started. […] Skilled Migration Group did it for me for free guys @ No charge, No fee, No loan.”
Peter Chilongozi, Heavy Duty Auto Electrician · Google review, record 036 (read it in full)
“dennis and his team members that came to Zambia treated us fairly during the interviews the process was quick and the communication was very effective until the day I received my air ticket, everything was paid for as promised by Dennis […] I would encourage every one willing to go and work out side Africa they should use skilled migration they are genuine.”
Humphrey Nthere · Google review, record 024 (read it in full)
Reviewer names and spelling appear exactly as written on Google.
From an employer client
Not a Google review. This was written for us in July 2026 by the Managing Director of an Australian client we have worked with since 2022, and is published with his permission. The […] marks where text has been left out.
“I had spent more than 12 months researching international recruitment and migration providers, speaking to company after company. Almost every conversation ended the same way. They told me exactly what I wanted to hear and assured me they could do everything.
Tim Guinea, Managing Director, Autonomy & Asset Management Group Pty Ltd · Written testimonial, July 2026
Dennis was different.
When I first approached him about working together, his initial answer was “no.” Rather than overpromising, he was honest about what they could and couldn’t do. That immediately gave me confidence. It showed integrity, honesty and a willingness to walk away rather than make promises they couldn’t deliver. […]
Now, in the spirit of being genuine, I’ll say this. Dennis isn’t always the easiest person to deal with. He can be demanding, speaks his mind, he challenges assumptions and he’s incredibly detail-oriented. But after working closely with him, I’ve come to understand exactly why. It comes from a genuine desire to get things right. He strives for perfection because he knows the consequences of getting international recruitment wrong can be significant for both employers and candidates.”
Talk To Me
If you are an employer considering hiring from outside your own country, an informal conversation with me might be just what you have been looking for. Book a consultation.