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 will be 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, classes are scheduled outside of normal business hours to accommodate students with employment commitments.
The three units in the course will run consecutively between July and October of 2008.
The units will be delivered in intensive mode, with teaching on seven consecutive days (Monday to Sunday). The weekday sessions will run between 5.30pm and 9.30pm, and weekend sessions will run from 9.30am - 4.30pm.
Each teaching week will be followed by time for private study and completion of the assessments.
The anticipated dates for the course in second semester 2008 are as follows (these may be subject to change):
LAW402 Australian Migration Law
Monday 28 July – Thursday 31 July 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm
Saturday 2 August 9.30 -4.30
Tuesday 5 August – Thursday 7 August 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm
LAW403 Australian Visa System.
Monday 8 September – Thursday 11 September 5.30 pm - 9.30 pm
Sunday 14 September 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Tuesday 16 September - Thursday 18 September 5.30pm - 9.30pm
LAW404 Migration Law in Practice.
Monday October 27 – Friday 31 October from 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm
Saturday 1 November and Sunday 2 November from 9.30 -4.30.
The three intensive units in the course will run sequentially throughout the second semester of each year.
• 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.
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice, and who have achieved a minimum score of 50% in each MARA assessment item are recognised by MARA as satisfying the Knowledge and Practice requirements for initial registration as a Migration Agent.
Our graduates have gone on to work for established migration advice practices, law firms, employment recruitment agencies, or have set up businesses on their own.
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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:
This programme is available on a fee-paying basis only. The tuition fee for the course is $5520, inclusive of a compulsory assessment fee set by the Migration Agents' Registration Authority" . Additional fees are also payable 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
For fee enquiries please email fees@murdoch.edu.au
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 are encouraged to contact the MARA for further information on eligibility to register as a Migration Agent: www.themara.com.au
Applications for second semester 2008 are now closed, and the programme is fully subscribed. Applications will now be considered for the next intake of the course, which will commence in February 2009. Teaching dates will be uploaded to this page when confirmed.
Application forms can be downloaded from the Prospective Students web page 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.themara.com.au
Please contact the School of Law on 9360 6820 or via M.Everall@murdoch.edu.au for further information.
