Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice

Upon successful completion of this program, you may apply for registration as an Australian Migration agent via the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website provided that other registration requirements have been met.

Graduates of this award intending to apply to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority for registration as a Migration Agent must also pass a separate capstone exam. OMARA will provide details of this separate requirement on its website.

Career opportunities for Registered Migration Agents are flexible. Our graduates have found employment both in large corporate settings, NGOs, and as sole traders, running their business from home to suit their needs.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice is accredited by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority for the registration of Australian migration agents.

Higher education

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice, an applicant must hold:

• a Bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale); OR
• a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale).

Where an applicant holds a Bachelor degree but does not have a minimum GPA of 4.0, they may (in selected circumstances) apply to waive the GPA requirement on the basis of five years work experience in a related field. In these circumstances, the applicant must supply evidence of relevant professional registration or vocational experience in a related field. Such applicants, who will normally have worked in middle management positions for a minimum of five years, will be required to provide references from their employers attesting to their ability to complete the program. In these cases, the Program Director will make the final decision and must be satisfied as to the applicant's ability to complete such a program of study

Work and Life

Where an applicant holds a Bachelor degree but does not have a minimum GPA of 4.0, they may (in selected circumstances) apply to waive the GPA requirement on the basis of five years work experience in a related field.

In these circumstances, the applicant must supply evidence of relevant professional registration or vocational experience in a related field. Such applicants, who will normally have worked in middle management positions for a minimum of five years, will be required to provide references from their employers attesting to their ability to complete the program. In these cases, the Program Director will make the final decision and must be satisfied as to the applicant's ability to complete such a program of study.

English Proficiency Requirements

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.

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

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.

Our courses are specifically designed to equip emerging migration agents to meet the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents. Graduates are equipped with a broad range of knowledge about the theoretical and practical aspects required to succeed in this occupation. Our program and course design, as well as our online capstone preparation module are important components in supporting students as part of their own study for the independent capstone exam (see OMARA website for details).

As a registered Migration Agent, there are a range of opportunities to specialise in certain areas or assist clients with a broad range of important work.

Registered Migration Agents have a great deal of career flexibility, with the ability to work in large corporate settings, or to run their own sole trader business from home.

This program is open both to lawyers and to those without a legal background - specifically those who wish to become a registered migration agent . As a currently registered migration agent wishing to complete the program, you should also note that it will provide credit towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. The program may also offer credit to lawyers for CPD. You should check with the relevant law society in this regard.

This program is also suitable for people working in industries where having knowledge of migration law is important, including accountants, engineers, ICT professionals and paralegals.

Note: Graduates of this award intending to apply to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) for registration as a Migration Agent must also pass a separate capstone exam. OMARA will provide details of this separate requirement on its website.

Recommended Study Pattern

All of the eight courses within the program are delivered online. Online workshops are recorded for students who are not able to participate at the designated time. Subject to COVID-19 restrictions, students in 7134LAW will 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 of the sessions will be available online for students who are unable to attend.

Courses in Trimester 1 are offered in online mode only.

Courses in Trimester 2 are also offered in online mode (with two courses incorporating an intensive component at South Bank)

Students will complete six of the eight courses online for 5-6 weeks. Two courses in Trimester 2 (7134LAW and 7234LAW) will each have an intensive component at South Bank.

Students must attend invigilated examinations at the conclusion of the trimester for 7131LAW, 7132LAW and 7133LAW. Where students are located more than 100km from Griffith University campuses, arrangements will be made for examinations to be held in their closest capital city within Australia.

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Foundations of Australian Migration Law and Practice
• Introduction to Migration Legal Skills and Ethics 
• Australia's Visa System
• Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.

Award Requirements

To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice (GDipAusMigrationLawPrac), a student must acquire 80 credit points for the core courses.

Note: Students who graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice will not be eligible for admission to the Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Students who decide to undertake the Master of Australian Migration Law and Practice should apply for a transfer into the program before completion of the Graduate Diploma.