C06122v1 Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice
Award(s): Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice (GradDipMigLawPrac)Commonwealth supported place?: No
Load credit points: 36
Course EFTSL: 0.75
Location: Distance
Notes
This course is only available by distance mode in the Summer, Autumn and Spring sessions. International students are not eligible for a student visa to study this course in Australia.
Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Inherent requirements
Recognition of prior learning
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course program
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice develops subject expertise and practical skills in the niche field of migration law. This course is developed by migration experts and is offered entirely online, giving students the flexibility to study when and where they choose. All lectures, tutorials, course materials and assessments are available via a range of web-based technologies and electronic media.
On completion of this course, students intending to work in the area of migration practice have the required knowledge and skills to sit the Capstone Assessment in order to be registered as an Australian migration agent.
Obtain your Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice by completing six subjects
Students intending to sit the Capstone Assessment (approved and facilitated externally by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority) to satisfy the prescribed knowledge requirements for registration as an Australian migration agent obtain their Graduate Diploma by successfully completing six subjects.
Lawyers: Obtain your Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice by completing four subjects
Lawyers holding a current Australian legal practising certificate are not required to pass the Capstone Assessment or register as Australian migration agents to lawfully provide immigration assistance. They can obtain their Graduate Diploma by successfully completing four subjects.
Career options
Career options include registration as a migration agent and specialist work in the migration advice and policy industry, provided non-lawyer graduates also pass a capstone exam approved and facilitated externally by Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority, and fulfil all other prescribed requirements for registration. Holders of unrestricted legal practising certificates can give immigration assistance without OMARA registration, and by successfully completing this Program, they gain the skills and knowledge necessary to advise migration clients.
Course intended learning outcomes
| 1.1 | a. A specialised understanding of the application of a complex body of legal knowledge within the context of migration practice in the Australian legal system, the principles and values of ethical practice, and contemporary developments in migration law and its professional practice. b. Demonstrate adherence with the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents as determined by the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). |
| 2.1 | a. An advanced capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, cultural respect, accountability, public service and ethical standards, including an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making, the rules of professional responsibility, an ability to reflect upon and respond to ethical challenges in practice and to exercise professional judgment. b. Recognise, reflect upon and respond with professional judgment to ethical and professional responsibility issues that arise in migration law and practice. |
| 3.1 | a. A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively, including an ability to identify and articulate complex legal issues, apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate theoretical and practical responses, and demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching complex legal issues and generating appropriate responses. b. Identify, synthesise and articulate complex legal and technical issues and apply analytical skills to identify innovation and generate clear, succinct and novel responses. |
| 4.1 | a. Well-developed cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues and demonstrate intellectual and practical skills necessary to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions. b. Research, identify and evaluate technical information, legal judgments and issues to interpret, justify, or critique propositions, conclusions and professional decisions that are underpinned by ethical research practices. |
| 5.1 | a. Appropriate professional communication skills including highly effective use of the English language, an ability to inform, analyse, report and persuade using an appropriate medium and message and an ability to respond respectfully. b. Communicate accurately and appropriately with multidisciplinary audiences in a range of specialised formats, including productive collaboration with professional teams and clients. |
| 6.1 | a. Advanced collaboration skills, including effective team work to achieve a common goal in a group learning environment or the workplace. b. Take responsibility to give feedback and to respond to feedback in a professional context, to work effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders and to resolve challenges through effective negotiation. |
| 7.1 | a. A well-developed understanding of Indigenous perspectives informed by a commitment to build Indigenous professional capability, to work for and with Indigenous peoples. b. Identify and challenge the deficit narratives and biases of Anglo-Australian laws towards Indigenous Australians, particularly in relation to access to the law. |
| 8.1 | a. A high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism, the ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies including initiating self-directed work and learning, judgment and responsibility, self-assessment of skills, personal wellbeing and appropriate use of feedback, and a capacity to adapt to and embrace change. b. Evaluate and implement their own professional development and incorporate personal skills in order to work with autonomy as a responsible and adaptable professional. |
Admission requirements
To be eligible for admission to this course, applicants must meet the following criteria.
Applicants must have one of the following:
- Completed Australian bachelor's degree or higher qualification, or overseas equivalent, in any field of study
OR
- Capacity to study the course demonstrated through relevant professional experience
Supporting documentation to be submitted with the application
For applicants who need to demonstrate capacity to pursue the course:
- Curriculum Vitae AND Statement of service in one of the following formats:
- A 'Statement of Service' provided by the employer
- A completed 'UTS statement of service’ signed by the employer
- A statutory declaration confirming work experience (for Australian Residents only)
- An official letter from the applicant’s accountant or solicitor on their company letterhead confirming the applicant’s work experience or engagement with the business, duration of operations, and the nature of the business
- A business certificate of registration in original language and English (e.g. provision of ASIC documentation or ABN or similar documentation for Australian Businesses)
- Relevant work-related references
- Personal statement outlining relevant professional experience and reasons for pursuing the course.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL iBT: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64 with a writing score of 50; or C1A/C2P: 176-184 with a writing score of 169.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Inherent requirements
Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. For more information about inherent requirements and where prospective and current students can get assistance and advice regarding these, see the UTS Inherent requirements page.
Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent Requirements Statement below and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.
UTS will make reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment, professional experiences, course related work experience and other course activities to facilitate maximum participation by students with disabilities, carer responsibilities, and religious or cultural obligations in their courses.
For course specific information see the Faculty of Law Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement.
Recognition of prior learning
Students who have completed subjects in equivalent migration law and practice courses at Griffith University, Victoria University, Western Sydney University or Australian Catholic University may be granted up to a maximum of 18 credit points of credit towards this course. Students who have attained a law degree and who have been admitted to practice law in a common law jurisdiction may be granted exemptions for subjects 78300 Introduction to Migration Law. Applicants are required to provide evidence of admission to practice, e.g. a practicing certificate or equivalent from their home jurisdiction, with their RPL application. Applicants who provide evidence with their RPL application that they hold a legal practicing certificate in an Australian jurisdiction may be granted exemption from 78305 Migration Law in Practice.
More detailed information (including application, credit point limits, time limits, appeal of decision, record of precedent) about recognition of prior learning in the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice is available at postgraduate course information.
Course duration and attendance
The standard course can be completed in one year of full-time or one-and-a-half years of part-time study. There are three intakes a year (in Autumn, Spring and Summer sessions).
Course structure
The course comprises a total of 36 credit points of compulsory core law subjects (six subjects).
Industrial training/professional practice
This course covers the Occupational Competency Standards for registered migration agents.
Course completion requirements
| STM91220 Core (Migration Law and Practice) | 36cp | |
| Total | 36cp |
Course program
Typical full-time and part-time programs are shown below for students commencing the course in Autumn session.
| Autumn commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 78300 Introduction to Migration Law | 6cp | |
| 78301 Australia's Visa System | 6cp | |
| 78302 Bridging Visas, Work Visas and Study Visas | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 78303 Family Visas, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas, and Miscellaneous Visas | 6cp | |
| 78304 Compliance and Review of Visa Decisions | 6cp | |
| 78305 Migration Law in Practice | 6cp | |
| Autumn commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 78300 Introduction to Migration Law | 6cp | |
| 78301 Australia's Visa System | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 78302 Bridging Visas, Work Visas and Study Visas | 6cp | |
| 78303 Family Visas, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas, and Miscellaneous Visas | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 78304 Compliance and Review of Visa Decisions | 6cp | |
| 78305 Migration Law in Practice | 6cp | |
| Spring commencing, full time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 78300 Introduction to Migration Law | 6cp | |
| 78301 Australia's Visa System | 6cp | |
| 78302 Bridging Visas, Work Visas and Study Visas | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 78303 Family Visas, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas, and Miscellaneous Visas | 6cp | |
| 78304 Compliance and Review of Visa Decisions | 6cp | |
| 78305 Migration Law in Practice | 6cp | |
| Spring commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Spring session | ||
| 78300 Introduction to Migration Law | 6cp | |
| 78301 Australia's Visa System | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 78302 Bridging Visas, Work Visas and Study Visas | 6cp | |
| 78303 Family Visas, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas, and Miscellaneous Visas | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 78304 Compliance and Review of Visa Decisions | 6cp | |
| 78305 Migration Law in Practice | 6cp | |
| Summer commencing, part time | ||
| Year 1 | ||
| Summer session | ||
| 78300 Introduction to Migration Law | 6cp | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| 78301 Australia's Visa System | 6cp | |
| 78302 Bridging Visas, Work Visas and Study Visas | 6cp | |
| Spring session | ||
| 78303 Family Visas, Refugee and Humanitarian Visas, and Miscellaneous Visas | 6cp | |
| 78304 Compliance and Review of Visa Decisions | 6cp | |
| Summer session | ||
| 78305 Migration Law in Practice | 6cp | |
Professional recognition
The prescribed knowledge requirements for registration as a migration agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority in Australia can be fulfilled by completing all accredited subjects in this course and passing an external capstone exam approved and facilitated externally by the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
Other information
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