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Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- Domestic
Offered at 1 locations
- Online MT
- Online MT
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
Note: International applicants residing inside or outside Australia may undertake this course online, and should apply as domestic students.
This course is NOT open to international students who require a student visa to study in Australia.
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.
After 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 you can upskill your qualification by adding a Masters for only four extra units Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice
And its never been more affordable with our Masters of Australian Migration Law and Practice 10% alumni rebate.
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
To complete the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice, a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
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 2025 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with higher education study
You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
English language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must have either:
- 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
- Have a current registration with an accredited body that has English language requirements equivalent to, or higher than, ACU; or
- Demonstrated completion of an English Language Test, as set out below, within the past two years:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Overall Score: 7.0, Individual Score: 6.5 in all tests
- 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
- ACU English Language Test - A (75-100%)
- C1 Advanced – Overall score of 185, with a minimum score of 176 in all tests
- PTE Academic - 65 with a minimum of 58 in all four communicative skills
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
*This is an indicative first-year fee based on the tuition fee rates for a full-time student, using unit enrolment data from domestic students who studied the course in the previous year.
A student’s annual fee will vary depending on factors including:
- Number of units studied per year
- Choice of major or specialisation
- Elective units
The University reviews fees annually.
You can view current course costs and domestic tuition fee rates by unit.
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.
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.
Staff Profile
Louisa Jones
Lecturer and Course Coordinator GDAMLAP, Thomas More Law School
Louisa Jones is a Lecturer in Law and the Migration Discipline Lead at the Australian Catholic University. With over a decade of experience in the migration sector, Louisa has worked as a Solicitor/Registered Migration Agent, specialising in complex migration cases. Throughout her career, she has assisted numerous clients in navigating the migration process to Australia, working across both boutique and large migration firms. Today, Louisa primarily focuses on academia, where her passion for cancellation, refugee and pro bono work continues to drive her.
Louisa has actively contributed to the sector by presenting Continuing Professional Development sessions on topics such as Refugee and Visa Cancellation matters. She has regularly appeared before the Administrative Review Tribunal (Migration and General Divisions) and the Federal Court of Australia. In addition, Louisa has served as an expert witness in the Magistrates Court providing guidance on Criminal Justice Stay Certificates and the complexities of the removal/cancellation process for alleged offenders.
Louisa has a particular interest in the intersection of the criminal justice system and the visa cancellation process, having witnessed first hand the challenges faced by her clients. Louisa holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Justice (criminology) and a Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice. She is currently pursuing a PhD, titled, 'Crimmigration Trends in Australia: An Analysis on Disproportionate Punishment, the Removal of Migrants, and the Need for Reform'.
Marianne van Galen-Dickie
Lecturer, Migration Discipline, Thomas More Law School
Dr Marianne van Galen-Dickie is a migration agent and academic. She holds a Doctorate in Professional Studies. Her long history of working in migration began with a career as the migration advisor for the Australian Democrats. Since 2023 Marianne has taught in the ACU Graduate Diploma of Migration Law and Practice and the Masters of Migration Law. She also works Sisters Inside assisting women facing deportation under the Migration Act and is a General Editor of Lexis Nexis Immigration Review. She is a Senior Member of the Higher Education Academy, the Law Literature and Humanities Association of Australasia as well as a member of the Law Council, the Migration Institute (and their Character and Cancellation Advisory Panel) and the Australia Character and Australian Visa Cancellation Working Group. From 2007 – 2016 she was the Sub Dean and Director of the Migration Law Program at the ANU College of Law. From 2007 -2016 she established and ran a pro-bono migration advice clinic in the ACT. Her work was recognised by the community of Canberra when she was nominated for the Australian of the Year. In 2016 she took up the position of Convenor for migration law in the LLM and was a Visiting Fellow at the ANU College of Law from 2018 – 2020. She then returned to policy advice working with Qld Senators Larissa Waters and Andrew Bartlett from 2018-2020 before returning to academia.
Testimonial
“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.”