Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice

Prepare for a career in Australian migration practice with a qualification accredited by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). This 100% online degree develops specialist knowledge of migration law, policy and procedure while building the practical skills required to advise clients on migration matters.

You'll develop the knowledge and skills to:

1. Interpret migration law and policy: understand the legislation, regulations and policy frameworks that govern Australia's migration system.
2. Apply migration law in practice: assess client circumstances and determine appropriate visa pathways and migration options.
3. Navigate complex visa processes: prepare advice and documentation that meets regulatory and procedural requirements.
4. Support diverse clients: communicate effectively with people from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds.
5. Apply ethical and professional standards: understand the obligations and responsibilities associated with migration practice.
6. Prepare for professional registration: build the knowledge required for registration pathways and ongoing professional development. 

Study an OMARA-accredited qualification

Develop specialist expertise in Australian migration law and practice through a program accredited by Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA). You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of migration legislation, policy and procedures while exploring the practical application of migration law across a range of client situations.

This program combines legal and regulatory knowledge with professional practice skills, helping you develop the capability to advise on migration matters in a complex regulatory environment.

Designed for aspiring and current professionals

Whether you're planning a career as a Registered Migration Agent or looking to expand your expertise in a related profession, you’ll gain valuable specialist knowledge. This graduate diploma is suitable for lawyers and non-lawyers, including professionals working in legal services, accounting, engineering, information technology and business advisory roles.

A dedicated online capstone preparation module is designed to support your preparation for the mandatory capstone assessment required for migration agent registration (refer to the OMARA website for full details).

Upon successful completion of this program, you may apply for registration as an Australian Migration Agent via the OMARA website. Please note that registration with OMARA is only available to Australian citizens or permanent residents, and applicants should ensure they meet all additional OMARA registration requirements, including the additional English language requirements.

Recommended study pattern

This program meets one of the knowledge requirements of becoming a registered Migration Agent in Australia. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) recognises Griffith University as a provider of the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Applicants intending to register should also ensure they meet OMARA requirements for registration. Only Australian citizens (or those holding permanent resident visas) can register with OMARA.

All eight courses within the program are delivered online. Students work through online modules containing topic videos, instant feedback problem scenarios and other online learning activities. A live weekly online workshop is recorded for students who are not able to participate at the designated time.

Students must complete all eight courses in order to graduate. These eight courses are as follows: 

• 7131LAW Foundations of Australian Migration Law and Practice
• 7231LAW Introduction to Migration Legal Skills and Ethics 
• 7132LAW Australia's Visa System
• 7232LAW Client Skills in the Visa Application Process
• 7133LAW Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review
• 7233LAW Advocacy Skills in Migration Casework
• 7234LAW Establishing and Operating an Ethical Migration Practice
• 7134LAW Applied Migration Law and Practice.

Interested applicants should consult with the program director in relation to the recommended order of enrolling in the above courses. 

Award requirements

For the award of Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice (GDipAusMigrationLawPrac), you must successfully Complete 80 credit points comprising:

• 80 credit points for all Core Courses

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $30,500

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University

Explore Griffith University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet one of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor degree (or higher)
• five years relevant work experience

Relevant work experience includes roles working in the Australian migration sector or similar experience

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 58.

English test results must be no more than two years old.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

The above requirements are HIGHER than those stipulated in University policy. Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following procedure for further information:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

English language requirements (for registration as a migration agent)

All applications for initial registration as a migration agent received on or after 1 January 2010 will need to meet new increased English language requirements. The following requirements will apply:

• an IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each sub-test (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and undertaken no more than two years prior to lodgement of an application for registration as a migration agent or
• an internet-based TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum score of 22 in each sub-test in speaking, listening, reading and writing and undertaken no more than two years prior to lodgement of an application for registration as a migration agent or
• evidence that the person has successfully completed:
• matriculation level with a pass in English (not English as a second language) where English was the language of instruction at the school and a bachelors degree (or a higher degree) with a minimum of three years equivalent full-time study where:
• the degree was conferred by an Australian, New Zealand, United Kingdom (Britain) or Canadian university*
• the study was undertaken while the person was residing in the country where the degree was awarded
• English was the language of instruction at the university.

* Other countries where English is an official language will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please check the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority website for full details.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies