Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice

Course information for - 2024 entry

Offered at 1 locations

Duration
1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
Fees (first year)*

$23632 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2024
Applications open August 2023
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2024
Applications open April 2024

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice equips students with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required to practice as a qualified migration agent in Australia. The course emphasizes problem-based, real-life interactive learning experiences. The Graduate Diploma is the minimum qualification for individuals seeking registration in Australia as a Migration Agent.

Upon successful completion of the Diploma and the Capstone exam administered by the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), graduates may seek registration to practice as a Registered Migration Agent. There are additional requirements for registration as a Migration Agent.

Upon graduation from the Graduate Diploma students can advance to a Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice

  • Top 2% universities worldwide

  • Top 10 Catholic universities globally

  • Top 40 young universities worldwide

Professional recognition

Registered Migration Agent

Upon successful completion of the diploma and capstone exam administered by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA), graduates may seek registration to practice as a Registered Migration Agent. There are additional requirements for registration as a migration agent.

For more information visit the MARA website

Course details

Course structure

Course map

Open all

Please note: Course maps are subject to change.

Commencing Semester 1 - Full-time

  • Specified UnitsLAWS503Introduction to Australian Migration Law10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS504Australian Visa System10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS505Australian Visa System - Economic Migration10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS506Advocacy and Review10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS507Australian Visa System - Family Migration and Refugees

    (Pre: LAWS503)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS508Australian Visa System Cancellations

    (Pre: LAWS503)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS509Foundations of Ethical Practice

    (Pre: LAWS503)

    10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS510Applied Migration Law and Case Management

    (Pre: LAWS503)

    10 cp

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in this unit. 

Commencing Semester 1 - Part-time

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Commencing Semester 2 - Full-time

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Commencing Semester 2 - Part-time

Prerequisites (Pre:) are other units that you must have passed before enrolling in the unit. 

Graduate statement

Insight

As an ACU graduate you have personal insight founded on an understanding of who you are as a professional, a citizen and a scholar. You embrace change and growth through critical self-awareness and learning autonomy. You are empowered to seek truth and meaning, drawing on the principles of justice, equity, and the dignity of all human beings.

Empathy

As an ACU graduate you value human dignity and diversity. This appreciation is founded on deep reflection, and empathy. You have experience of Indigenous Knowings and perspectives and can engage respectfully when working alongside Australia's First Peoples. You can connect with people and cultures and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and all cultures

Imagination

As an ACU graduate you utilise imagination and innovation to solve problems. You critically analyse information from a range of sources to creatively solve practical problems and use critical thinking to make decisions and advance the common good. You appreciate the role of innovation and creative thinking in developing a better future for each person and community.

Impact

As an ACU graduate you recognise your responsibility to work for social justice and a sustainable world founded on a commitment to human dignity and the common good. You lead change through respectful collaboration and effective communication of ideas to diverse peoples, groups and communities in local and global contexts. You are empowered to positively impact your profession and the community.

AQF framework

Graduate Diploma - AQF Level 8

Entry requirements

An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

International applicants need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.

To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites:

  • Bachelor degree in any discipline; or
  • equivalent professional experience in a relevant role.

Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2024 Admission.

View transparency admission information

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must have either:

  1. Successfully completed at least one full-time year of study in secondary or higher education at the AQF Diploma level or higher, where the medium of study was English, and have completed these studies within the past five years; or
  2. Have a current registration with an accredited body that has English language requirements equivalent to, or higher than, ACU; or
  3. Demonstrated completion of an English Language Test, as set out below, within the past two years:
  4. International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Overall Score: 7.0, Individual Score: 6.5 in all tests
  5. Test of English as a Foreign Language – Academic (TOEFL) – from an internet-based total of 94, achieve a minimum of 24 in writing, 20 in speaking and listening, 19 in reading
  6. ACU English Language Test - A (75-100%)
  7. Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) – Overall score of 185, with a minimum score of 176 in all tests

Inherent requirement

There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.

Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you

Fees

Course costs

Average first year fee*

$23632 Fee-paying

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

  • the number of units studied per semester; 
  • the choice of major or specialisation; and 
  • elective units.

The University reviews fees annually.

Payment options

You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.

Explore your options 

Scholarships

You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.  

Search our scholarships  

How to apply

Domestic applicants

Direct application

Apply now

Deferment

Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment.

Staff Profile

Associate Professor Kunle Ola

Associate Professor and Course Coordinator GDAMLAP, Thomas More Law School

Dr Kunle Ola is a lawyer with an academic, legal, regulatory, enforcement and administrative background. He is a registered migration agent and member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) and Migration Alliance. Kunle started his formal legal career at the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria and then joined a private law firm as a partner. Dr Ola has represented Nigeria on several United Nations’ specialised committees including the Standing Committee for Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) General Assembly and the WIPO Committee for Development in Intellectual Property (CDIP). He has extensive international legal experience, and a passion for sharing this with his students at ACU.

Dr Kanij Fatima

Lecturer, Thomas More Law School

Kanij Fatima, is a lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Thomas More Law School, Australian Catholic University.

She has completed her PhD in Human Trafficking and International Law at the School of Law, La Trobe University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law, a master’s in law, and a graduate degree in international law with a focus on human rights. Before commencing her PhD candidature, she worked in the Bangladesh Judiciary as a Joint District Judge/ Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate for 8 years. She has advanced skills in legal research (in both civil and criminal matters, and both domestic and international laws), as well as relevant teaching experience. She is a British Chevening scholar and AUSAID scholar. Her research interests are human and organ trafficking, human rights, domestic violence and migrants, money laundering, and other transnational crimes.

Testimonial

Vivian Withnall

“I think that deep down, what migration agents do is really just about helping people… it’s helping them during what is often an important and stressful time in their lives. Studying online at ACU was a fantastic experience. It’s heavily law-based, really rigorous and a lot of hard work, but it was rewarding and I only have positive things to say about it. I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve got a new career, and I’ve also re-established the confidence in myself.”

Vivian Withnall
Australian Migration Law and Practice Graduate
 

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