He's a man whose own journey as an immigrant, and long career inside Australia’s Department of Immigration - has
shaped his mission - to help others navigate the country’s complex visa system with compassion and expertise.
Carlos’s vision for Sellanes Clark is deeply personal. “I had the idea of starting this company because I used to work for the Department of Immigration. I spent almost 25 years in the department at different levels and in different locations.”
But it’s not just his professional experience that fuels his dedication.
“Having also been an immigrant myself with my parents when we first arrived in Australia back in the early seventies, that also gave me the connection to migration and migrants. I understood them.”
Witnessing the system’s shortcomings firsthand when he came to work for Immigration led him to believe he could do things differently.
“I thought if I was in charge of the department, this is what I would do.”
And so, after departing the government service, Mr Sellanes became a registered migration agent and wasted no time launching his own firm. Within weeks he had reconnected with a former colleague, equally driven, who joined him in turning a shared vision into reality.
“I started giving him work and after a while I said we might as well make a company and run it. So we did, and that is how Sellanes Clark came about.”
Today, Sellanes Clark specialises in a wide spectrum of immigration matters, everything from corporate employer-sponsored migration to family and skilled visas, complex waivers, character and health issues, and judicial reviews. Their approach is grounded in transparency, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to their clients’ wellbeing.
Though it’s not the biggest immigration agency, thanks to the depth of Carlos’s 22-year career at the Department of Immigration, followed by more than 20 years building Sellanes Clark - it is one of the most experienced.
For Carlos, the work is more than business - it’s civic and ethical.
“I do it because I really like helping companies [with migration issues] and I believe in the migration program. I believe that
Australia needs migration. If we were to stop migration, our country would actually slow down to a crawl. We could see that when Covid kicked in.
“There were a lot of issues then, a lot of businesses closed down because of that.”
His words reflect a conviction that migration is not a burden but a lifeline for the nation’s economy, and his team can make that lifeline more accessible and fair.
Carlos’s philosophy is echoed throughout Sellanes Clark. On their website, he states simply: “You start your journey as a client and leave as a friend.”
And for many migrants, newcomers, and employers in Australia, that kind of friendship - and professional guidance - can make all the difference.
Sellanes Clark is at Suite 03, Level 2, 90 Phillip Street, Parramatta, and you can also call them on 1300 99 88 88, or get in contact via email at enquiries@sellanesclark.com
