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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 2024Applications open August 2023Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2024Applications open April 2024
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.
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
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 2024 Admission.
View transparency admission information
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%)
- 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
$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.
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.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Direct application
Apply nowDeferment
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 Appeals 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 Appeals 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
“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.”