Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice will have:

1. Advanced level of understanding and highly-skilled working knowledge of Australian immigration law, policy, practice and procedures.

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and Practice will be able to:

1. Demonstrate competency in the standards and elements set out in the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents by:
2. Critically applying established theories and/or evidence-based practice to solve complex migration law issues ethically and reach conclusions.
3. Negotiating on behalf of and advocating for clients responsibly and with accountability, and demonstrate professional integrity, behaviour, attitude, and practices in client engagement in culturally and socially diverse environments and communities.
4. Communicating professionally and collaboratively with a variety of audiences and in diverse contexts through oral, textual, visual, digital and/or interpersonal modes and, confidently and competently with clients who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
5. Performing industry-specific activities in an ethical manner, in compliance with the Code of Conduct and as outlined in the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents e.g. file and practice management, exercising confidentiality, and conducting research and applying legislative and policy provisions.

The Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice is designed to prepare you to meet the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents. 

Griffith University is recognised by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) as an approved education provider for this program. 

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. 

Highlights of studying the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice 

• Build a solid foundation in Australian migration law, combining theory and practice to develop the skills and knowledge needed for success. 
• Designed for lawyers and non-lawyers seeking a career as a registered Migration Agent, as well as professionals in fields like accounting, engineering, ICT, and legal support where migration knowledge can be an asset. 
• For current registered Migration Agents, this program may contribute to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. Practicing lawyers may also be eligible—check with your relevant law society. 

Your path to success 

A dedicated online capstone preparation module assists you to prepare independently for the mandatory capstone exam required for registration (refer to the OMARA website for full details).

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. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, students in 7134LAW may be invited to attend a non-compulsory weekend intensive in Brisbane covering capstone exam preparation and other topics relevant to transitioning to the migration profession. Attendance at the weekend is optional and recordings of all sessions will be available online for students who are unable to attend.

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.

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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.

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