Unit rationale, description and aim
Introduction to Australian Migration Law will equip students with the skills to navigate and interpret complex Migration legislation. This unit contributes to the overall course objectives by providing students with a brief history of Migration law in Australia as well as the background knowledge and understanding of the relationship between Migration legislation, case law and policy. Students will undertake studies that focus on the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) and other relevant legislation using Legendcom. In addition, the course will introduce students to administrative legal skills that include file notes, taking instructions and legal writing which in turn will enable students to understand and communicate complex legal issues with clients and stakeholders. Completion of this unit will enable students to develop legal reasoning skills in analysing, interpreting and applying Migration Law in their professional practice.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Locate, navigate and interpret Migration legislati...
Learning Outcome 01
Demonstrate understanding of the Australian visa s...
Learning Outcome 02
In the context of Australian Migration law, critic...
Learning Outcome 03
Research, formulate and implement appropriate stra...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Foundation of Australia’s Legal System
- History of Migration Law in Australia
- Decision making in Australia’s migration system
- Structure and role of Department of Home Affairs
- Sovereignty
- Multiculturalism
- Developments and Trends in Migration
- Australian legal system – primary functions; separation of powers
- Courts Tribunals – jurisdiction, hierarchy and role
- Analyse and interpret legislation and policy and respective roles played by both in migration law context
- Recent trends in law and policy
- Australian citizenship
- Statutory interpretation
- Legal research
- Legal citation
- Oral and written communication skills
- Administrative legal skills – taking file notes; taking instructions from clients
Assessment strategy and rationale
This graduate course is the prescribed qualification for registration with OMARA to provide migration advice. On completion of all units, students who wish to apply for registration will also sit an independent entry examination regulated by OMARA.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each of the learning outcomes listed. Occupational Competency Standards have been produced by the Department of Home Affairs and have guided our assessment as the underpinning knowledge and skills required by a migration law practitioner.
Overview of assessments
Assessment task 1: Reflective journal and en...
Assessment task 1: Reflective journal and engagement in designated online activities. This assessment involves participation in weekly discussion forum activities & submission of a reflection on learning during the unit.
Purpose - This task contributes specifically to the development of students’ understanding of unit material and assesses Learning Outcomes 1-4.
Assessment criteria - Specific assessment Rubric will be provided
20%
Assessment task 2: Research Assignment and applie...
Assessment task 2: Research Assignment and applied problem solving. This assessment requires students to demonstrate their ability to identify and interpret relevant Migration legislation, basic aspects of the visa system and migration policy.
Format - 1,500 words
Purpose - Assessment to assist students to contextualise their learning and use theoretical knowledge in a practical and real-life situation. Students are asked to use critical thinking and reasoning to suggest a solution to a factual problem. This task requires students to critically analyse an element of Australian Migration Law and provide conclusions informed by legislation and policy and assesses learning outcomes 1-3.
Assessment criteria - Specific assessment Rubric will be provided
40%
Assessment task 3: Written assessment This ...
Assessment task 3: Written assessment
This assessment requires students to demonstrate their ability to identify and interpret relevant Migration legislation, basic aspects of the visa system and migration policy.
Purpose - Assessment to assist students to contextualise their learning and use theoretical knowledge in a practical and real-life situation. Students are asked to use critical thinking and reasoning to suggest a solution to a factual problem. This task requires students to critically analyse an element of Australian Migration Law and provide conclusions informed by legislation and policy and assesses learning outcomes 1-3.
Assessment criteria - Specific assessment Rubric will be provided
40%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This is the foundation unit in the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. It is the prescribed qualification for initial registration with the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) as per s289A of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
Our strategy is to introduce students to migration law theory and to develop within them, research skills and knowledge that will carry them through this unit, into subsequent units and then into their practice. For this reason, it is a pre-requisite subject for those students who do not have a background in legal practice.
This subject will be delivered in online mode to provide accessibility and flexibility to our post graduate students and a student focused approach that increases depth of learning and engagement through actively utilising Canvas.