The Graduate Certificate programme is made up of three intensive units. Students are required to successfully complete all three of the following compulsory units to complete the programme:
LAW402: Australian Migration Law
This unit deals with the fundamentals of Australian Migration law. Topics addressed will include an introduction to Australia’s legal system, the relationship between levels of legislation and court hierarchies. The unit will give an overview of Australia’s immigration history, and the philosophy of the immigration system. Students will be introduced to the relevant Acts and other legislation, the general concepts of migration procedure, the visa application process, and the role and responsibilities of Migration Agents and advisors.
LAW403: Australian Visa System
This unit analyses Australia’s visa system; including visa classes, conditions, criteria and application processes. It will cover visa monitoring and compliance issues, grounds for refusal or cancellation of visas, and consequences of unlawful status. The course will also deal with detention, removal and deportation, and offences under the Migration Act. Types of reviewable decisions and exclusions from review will be discussed using relevant case law. The course will impart skills in the production of supporting submissions for applications and judicial review.
LAW404: Migration Law in Practice
This unit deals with the practical skills required of Registered Migration Agents. The topics addressed include visa application assembly and lodgement techniques, the industry’s Code of Conduct, communication skills and cultural awareness, problem solving, negotiation and advocacy skills. Students will learn about business structures and relevant legislation, financial duties, record keeping, and effective client services. The unit will also cover risk management, an overview of contract law, tort law, and the laws of negligence and consumer protection.
The Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice is taught on Murdoch’s South Street campus in internal mode only - this means that the course is not offered online or by distance education.
However, where possible, classes are scheduled outside of normal business hours to accommodate students with employment commitments.
Students are expected to attend all sessions for each unit that they are enrolled in. Each teaching block will be followed by time for private study and completion of the assessments.
Click Here to view teaching dates for Winter Commencement 2012
Click Here to view teaching dates for Summer Commencement 2012
Students are expected to attend all sessions for each unit that they are enrolled in. Each teaching block will be followed by time for private study and completion of the assessments.
The three intensive units in the course will run sequentially over each semester that the course is offered.
• Full-time students can complete the programme within one semester.
• Part-time students will require a minimum of two semesters to complete the programme. Please note that the teaching hours for each individual unit remain the same, regardless of how many units are taken in each semester.
| ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS |
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Unconditional offer:
- Evidence that you hold a current legal practising certificate (restricted or unrestricted) issued by an Australian body authorised by law in an Australian state or territory;
OR
- Evidence that you have successfully completed:
i. matriculation level (see Note 1) with a pass in English (not "English as a Second Language") where English was the language of instruction at the school;
AND
ii. a Bachelor degree, or a higher degree, with a minimum of 3 years’ equivalent full-time study, where:
- the degree was conferred by an Australian, New Zealand, UK or Canadian University
- the study was undertaken while the person was residing in the country where the degree was awarded; and
- English was the language of instruction at the University
OR
- If you are currently enrolled in Bachelor of Laws (subject to the approval of the Academic chair)
OR
- If you have a Bachelors degree and an IELTS academic of 6.5 with no lower than 6.0 in any band
OR
- Successful completion of Murdoch's pre-law course or the Koora Kudidj Pre-Law Program;
OR
- Otherwise in exceptional circumstances on the premise of Academic chair approval
| REGISTRATION AS A MIGRATION AGENT |
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Please be aware that that it is a Migration Agents Registration Authority requirement that intending Migration Agents must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of the MARA for further information on eligibility to register as a migration agent (www.mara.gov.au).
There are other requirements that need to be met in order for the MARA to consider and approve an application for registration as a migration agent. Please refer to the Office of the MARA for full details and a copy of their registration package.
In terms of using this course for registration purposes we are expected to adhere to particular government regulations. The Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice is the course required for registration, however students must also have passed the prescribed common assessment items.
In a MARA prescribed examination notice dated 31 May 2006 the new examination prescribed under s 289A(c) of the Migration Act 1958 for registration as a migration agent is described as “the common assessment items for registration” which form part of the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice at the Australian National University, Griffiths University, Murdoch University and Victoria University.
As a result each unit of study in the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice will contain items of common assessment approved by a national Assessment and Moderation Committee. The assessment items will be embedded in examinations in each unit and are marked according to common marking standards.
Students graduating after 1 January 2010 will be recognised as having passed the prescribed examination when they have passed each unit and therefore being awarded the degree but also will have to achieve a minimum score of 50% on common assessment items during an invigilated exam. These common assessment items will be a 30% assessment item and a 15% assessment item in LAW402 and LAW404 and two 30% assessment items in LAW403.
Students who fail the common assessment items will have the opportunity of sitting for a supplementary examination.
| CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
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The Migration Agents' Registration Authority (MARA) has advised that existing agents do not need to undertake the Graduate Certificate to continue in practice.
However, registered agents who wish to enrol in the Graduate Certificate course will receive 5 CPD points for each unit successfully completed.
Domestic Students:
The total tuition fee for the three units in the course in 2011 is $8,256. Tuition fees are inclusive of a compulsory assessment fee set by the Migration Agents' Registration Authority.
Additional fees may also apply for the provision of course materials.
Students who are Australian Citizens may be eligible to access the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme. For information about this scheme, please click here.
For general information on fees and fee payment options at Murdoch, click here
Further enquiries in relation to fees can be submitted via this link.
International Students:
International students wishing to apply for this course should contact Murdoch International.
Please be aware that it is a MARA requirement that intending Migration Agents must be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. Applicants who are not in this category are strongly advised to contact the MARA for further information on eligibility to register as a Migration Agent: www.mara.gov.au
Applications can be submitted online – click here.
Applicants are encouraged to contact the MARA for further information on eligibility to register as a Migration Agent after completion of this course: www.mara.gov.au
Please contact the School of Law on 9360 6050 or via L.Tooley@murdoch.edu.au for further information
