Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice
The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University Law School have offered the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice since 1 July 2006. It has also been involved in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training online and face to face.
Victoria University has taught migration law to students as part of the migration agents knowledge entry examination (MAPKE), and under the regime prior to MAPKE, for the past 12 years. It is one of the most experienced providers of migration education in Australia.
Teaching Staff
Staff members teaching in the migration course include leading experts in the area of Australian immigration law. Staff include the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria, three Law Institute of Victoria accredited specialist lawyers, the former head of the Refugee Review Tribunal, Senior Magistrate, and a former Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs staff member.
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The Course
Graduates must complete four mandatory subjects to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice. The University course code for the Graduate Certificate is BTAL.
The subjects are:
- Australian Migration Law and MARA
- Australia’s Visa System
- Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review
- Applied Migration Law and Practice
The subjects will be delivered online and face-to-face. Online courses will be available to students throughout Australia and overseas. Face-to-face classes will be offered in Melbourne, Sydney subject to sufficient enrolments.
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.
As this is a government regulated course, the assessment standards are as follows:
- 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, Griffith 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 provided by MARA. The MARA assessment items are administered by the four providers around Australia and marked according to common marking standards. Moderation of marking occurs.
- In order for you to pass each unit of study (and be eligible for registration with MARA), you must pass each item of assessment in each unit of study. If you fail any item of assessment, you may be eligible for a supplementary exam.
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WebCT - Online Learning Centre
Students enrolled in the Graduate Certificate course will be granted admission to our WebCT Online Learning Centre.
The Learning Centre provides access to course materials such as class powerpoint presentations, lecture notes, assessment tasks, assessment due dates, legislation etc.
Online students are granted access to a separate area of WebCT which enables them to complete online tutorial quizzes to enhance their knowledge of the course. Students must be computer literate and possess a current windows package in order to access all information.
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Course Dates
Please note that applications for summer school have closed.
| Dates for Summer School 2009 |
|
Subject A - BLO5605
Australian Immigration Law |
Subject B - BLO5606
Australia's Visa System |
Subject C - BLO5607
Visa Cancellation and Review |
Subject D - BLO5608
Applied Immigration Law |
| Melbourne Intensive |
January
8, 9, 10, 11, 12 |
January
31
February
1, 2, 3 |
February
13, 14, 15 |
February
20, 21, 22 |
|
- Due dates for summer school studies will be advised at the commencement of the course
| Dates for Semester 1, 2009 |
| Subject A - BLO5605 Australian Immigration Law |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| Feb 23 |
Feb 20 (orientation), 21, 22
March 7, 8 |
Feb 27 (orientation), 28
March 1 |
Feb 19 (orientation) |
| Subject B - BLO5606 Australia's Visa System |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| March 18 |
March 21, 22
April 4, 5 |
March 28, 29, 30, 31 |
March 20 |
| Subject C - BLO6507 Visa Cancellation and Review |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| April 16 |
April 18, 19
May 2, 3 |
April 25, 27, 28, 29 |
April 17 |
| Subject D - BLO5608 Applied Immigration Law |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| May 21 |
May 23, 24
June 6, 7 |
May 30, 31 |
May 22 |
|
Enrolment
As a candidate, you should be aware of the following important information
relating to your enrolment in the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice.
- Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice and who have achieved a minimum
50 per cent score on the Migration Agents Registration Authority
(MARA) assessment items are recognised by the Authority as satisfying the knowledge and practice requirements for initial registration as a migration agent.
- There are additional requirements for registration as a migration agent. These include the requirement to be an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen,
as well as meeting character requirements. You should consult
MARA for further information.
- Subjects will run only if there are sufficient enrolments as dictated by the University. However, candidates
can complete a course interstate or online.
- Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice may apply to transfer to one of Victoria University’s School of Law
graduate diplomas or master degrees.
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Application
To apply for the Graduate Certificate course – you must firstly download and complete the 2009 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form admission documentation below.
Please do NOT submit your application via the ONLINE tool.
The Cowen Centre will notify you via email of the outcome of your application once the selection committee has reviewed your application.
Students must meet Victoria University's admission application requirements.
To qualify for admission to the program, you should have completed a relevant degree or diploma and intend to be employed in a position associated with the immigration industry. In the absence of formal qualifications, you should have training and work experience to indicate your ability to undertake the course successfully.
You should complete the 2009 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form located at Future Students and return it to the relevant location as soon as possible.
2009 Admissions
For information on the university's 2009 intake, refer to the 
Admissions Advice for 2009 Intake (52 KB) form.
Here is a link to the 2009 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form
Closing date for ALL applications is Friday January 30, 2009. No late submissions will be accepted
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Fees
- As at the commencement of 2009, the fees for the Graduate Certificate are $2266.88 per subject. The entire course of four (4) subjects is $9067.52.
- Fees are payable by payment date and ALL amendments must be made by census date:
- If your fees are not paid by this time - your enrolment will be cancelled.
- If you are a Full-Fee paying student - fees are payable up front – there are NO installment plans available.
- Australian Citizens are eligible to apply for FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP is not available to any other citizenship status.
- FEE-HELP is the Federal Government loan scheme. Students eligible for a FEE-HELP loan must complete and submit a Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form on or before the census date for their first course.
- For further information on FEE-HELP, refer to the FEE-HELP information booklet, available on the www.goingtouni.gov.au web site.
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Academic Staff
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CPD Points for the Graduate Certificate
MARA has advised that existing agents do not need to undertake the graduate certificate. If an existing agent does undertake the graduate certificate, 5 CPD Points will be allocated to all agents for each unit successfully completed, regardless of your CPD eligibility status.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed:
07/01/2009
