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.
FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 50 KB)
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.
Top of Page
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.
Top of Page
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.
Top of Page
Course Dates
Please note that applications for semester 1 intake have closed.
| 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 |
|
Semester 2 closing date for applications is June 26, no late applications will be accepted
| Dates for Semester 2, 2009 |
| Subject A - BLO5605 Australian Immigration Law |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| July 20 |
July 18 (orientation)
July 25 & 26
August 8 & 9 |
July 31 (orientation)
August 1, 2 & 3 |
July 24 (orientation) |
| Subject B - BLO5606 Australia's Visa System |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| August 17 |
August 22 & 23
September 5 & 6 |
August 29, 30, 31 & September 1 |
August 21 |
| Subject C - BLO6507 Visa Cancellation and Review |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| September 14 |
September 19 & 20
October 3 & 4 |
September 24, 25 & 26 |
September 18 |
| Subject D - BLO5608 Applied Immigration Law |
| Online |
Melbourne WEEKEND |
Sydney INTENSIVE |
Adelaide |
| October 12 |
October 17 & 18
October 31 & November 1 |
October 24, 25 & 26 |
October 16 |
|
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.
Top of Page
Application
To apply for the Graduate Certificate course – you must firstly download and complete the
2009 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form. Please also ensure you attach
- 200 word statement
- IELTS paperwork (for PR)
- Certified copies of your transcripts/academic history
- Overseas qualification – you must provide the Australian Equivalence of your qualification
(http://www.immi.gov.au/asri/os-qual-units.htm)
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.
You must hold an Australian Bachelors degree or equivalent. Alternatively, applicants who can demonstrate the capacity to study successfully at a postgraduate level will be admitted to the program. Such admissions will be at the discretion of the Selection officer at the Victoria University School of Law. Students must also meet Victoria University's admission application requirements.
You should complete the 2009 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form 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 semester 2 applications is Friday June 26, 2009. No late submissions will be accepted
Top of Page
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.
Top of Page
Academic Staff
Top of Page
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.
Last reviewed:
24/05/2009
