Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice will have:

• advanced level of understanding and highly-skilled working knowledge of Australian immigration law, policy, practice and procedures.

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice will be able to:

• demonstrate competency in the standards and elements set out in the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents by:
• critically applying established theories and/or evidence-based practice to solve complex migration law issues ethically and reach conclusions.
• negotiating on behalf of and advocating for clients responsibly and with accountability, and demonstrate professional integrity, behaviour, attitude, and practices in client engagement in culturally and socially diverse environments and communities.
• communicating professionally and collaboratively with a variety of audiences and in diverse contexts through oral, textual, visual, digital and/or interpersonal modes and, confidently and competently with clients who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
• performing industry-specific activities in an ethical manner, in compliance with the Code of Conduct and as outlined in the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents e.g. file and practice management, exercising confidentiality, and conducting research and applying legislative and policy provisions.

This program meets one of the knowledge requirements of becoming a registered Migration Agent in Australia. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) recognises Griffith University as a provider of the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Applicants intending to register should also ensure they meet OMARA requirements for registration. Only Australian citizens (or those holding permanent resident visas) can register with OMARA.

Our courses are specifically designed to equip emerging migration agents to meet the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents. Graduates are equipped with a broad range of knowledge about the theoretical and practical aspects required to succeed in this occupation. Our program and course design, as well as our online capstone preparation module are important components in supporting students as part of their own study for the independent capstone exam (see OMARA website for details).

As a registered Migration Agent, there are a range of opportunities to specialise in certain areas or assist clients with a broad range of important work.

Registered Migration Agents have a great deal of career flexibility, with the ability to work in large corporate settings, or to run their own sole trader business from home.

This program is open both to lawyers and to those without a legal background - specifically those who wish to become a registered migration agent . As a currently registered migration agent wishing to complete the program, you should also note that it will provide credit towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. The program may also offer credit to lawyers for CPD. You should check with the relevant law society in this regard.

This program is also suitable for people working in industries where having knowledge of migration law is important, including accountants, engineers, ICT professionals and paralegals.

Note: Graduates of this award intending to apply to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) for registration as a Migration Agent must also pass a separate capstone exam. OMARA will provide details of this separate requirement on its website.

Recommended study pattern

This program meets one of the knowledge requirements of becoming a registered Migration Agent in Australia. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) recognises Griffith University as a provider of the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Applicants intending to register should also ensure they meet OMARA requirements for registration. Only Australian citizens (or those holding permanent resident visas) can register with OMARA.

All eight courses within the program are delivered online. Students work through online modules containing topic videos, instant feedback problem scenarios and other online learning activities. A live weekly online workshop is recorded for students who are not able to participate at the designated time. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, students in 7134LAW may be invited to attend a non-compulsory weekend intensive in Brisbane covering capstone exam preparation and other topics relevant to transitioning to the migration profession. Attendance at the weekend is optional and recordings of all sessions will be available online for students who are unable to attend.

Students must complete all eight courses in order to graduate. These eight courses are as follows: 

• 7131LAW Foundations of Australian Migration Law and Practice
• 7231LAW Introduction to Migration Legal Skills and Ethics 
• 7132LAW Australia's Visa System
• 7232LAW Client Skills in the Visa Application Process
• 7133LAW Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review
• 7233LAW Advocacy Skills in Migration Casework
• 7234LAW Establishing and Operating an Ethical Migration Practice
• 7134LAW Applied Migration Law and Practice.

Interested applicants should consult with the program director in relation to the recommended order of enrolling in the above courses. 

Award requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice (GDipAusMigrationLawPrac), a student must acquire 80 credit points for the core courses.

Note: Students who graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice will not be eligible for admission to the Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Students who decide to undertake the Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice should apply for a transfer into the program before completion of the Graduate Diploma.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $29,500

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

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20

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice, an applicant must hold:

• a Bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale); OR
• a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale).

Where an applicant holds a Bachelor degree but does not have a minimum GPA of 4.0, they may (in selected circumstances) apply to waive the GPA requirement on the basis of five years work experience in a related field. In these circumstances, the applicant must supply evidence of relevant professional registration or vocational experience in a related field. Such applicants, who will normally have worked in middle management positions for a minimum of five years, will be required to provide references from their employers attesting to their ability to complete the program. In these cases, the Program Director will make the final decision and must be satisfied as to the applicant's ability to complete such a program of study

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 58.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies