Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice

Course information for - 2025 entry

Offered at 1 locations

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

$24456 Fee-paying

Start dates
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025
Applications open August 2024
Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025
Applications open April 2025

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.  

  • 95% graduates employed

  • 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 Refugees10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS508Australian Visa System Cancellations10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS509Foundations of Ethical Practice10 cp
  • Specified UnitsLAWS510Applied Migration Law and Case Management10 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 2025 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. C1 Advanced – Overall score of 185, with a minimum score of 176 in all tests
  8. 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

Average first year fee*

$24456 Fee-paying

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

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

ACU Online MT

Apply through ACU

ACU code 1220003692

Deferment

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

Staff Profile

Louisa Jones

Lecturer and Course Coordinator GDAMLAP, Thomas More Law School

Louisa has been involved in the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice (GDAMLP) since 2021 and is a lecturer and GDAMLP Course Coordinator.

She has been working in the migration industry for the last decade as a solicitor and registered migration agent (RMA). Louisa has assisted many clients migrate to Australia and has specialised in more complex migration work. Over the years, she has worked in boutique and large corporate migration firms and has helped some of the largest companies globally to navigate their visa matters.

Louisa is also very passionate about refugee and pro bono work and has been involved in refugee volunteering programs such as Salvos Humanitarian. Over the years, Louisa has presented continuing professional development sessions for the industry in refugee and visa cancellation matters.

Louisa’s focus has been on complex employer sponsored work (notably expert advice in standard business monitoring) and visa cancellation matters. In doing so, Louisa has frequently appeared before the Administrative Review Tribunal (migration and general division) and Federal Court of Australia. Louisa has also appeared as an expert witness in the Magistrates Court. More recently, Louisa consults with migration firms to assist the future generation up-skill their solicitors/RMAs in migration law. She has a particular interest in the intersection between the criminal justice system and visa cancellation program (after seeing many of her clients go through this process).

Kerry Murphy

Lecturer, GDAMLAP, Thomas More Law School

Kerry is an accredited specialist in immigration law and a partner in his law firm in Sydney. Kerry has degrees in Arts and Law, a Masters in Medieval Studies and a Masters in International Social Development. He has practised mainly in immigration law since 1997, and has a history of working with refugees and asylum seekers in various capacities since around 1987. Kerry was previously co-ordinator of the refugee desk for the Jesuit Refugee Service then part of Uniya, the Jesuit Social Justice Centre.  

As a migration lawyer and former registered migration agent, Kerry has worked with clients at many different legal stages, from initial advice, through to application, merits review in the Administrative Review Tribunal and judicial review in the Federal Circuit Court, Federal Court and High Court of Australia.

Kerry’s firm in Sydney specialises in refugee and protection visa cases, as well as family and other visas, cancellations, character issues and merits and judicial review. 

Kerry has presented migration law courses for the Australian National University, The Migration Institute of Australia, as well as several other organisations. He has written many articles on migration and refugee law for online and print publications including Eureka Street, the Immigration Kit, and the Law Handbook.

Kerry has a strong interest in human rights and the rule of law, as well as history and politics.

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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