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 15 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.
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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 (BLO5605)
- Australia’s Visa System (BLO5606)
- Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review (BLO5607)
- Applied Migration Law and Practice (BLO5608)
The subjects will be delivered off campus and face-to-face. Off campus mode of study will be available to students throughout Australia and overseas. Face-to-face classes will be offered in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide 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.
There are many requirements that need to be met in order for the Migration Agents Registration Authority to consider and approve an application for registration as a migration agent. These are specified in Part 3 of the Migration Act 1958 and are detailed in the full registration package. Please refer to OMARA
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.
- The Authority has subsumed the requirements for the completion of a Prescribed Invigilated Examination within the requirements for completion of the Prescribed Course.
- Students graduating after 1 January 2008 from the Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice (the prescribed course) will be recognised as passing the Prescribed Examination when they have achieved a minimum 50% score on each item of assessment in each course of study. Note that if a student fails any item of assessment they may be eligible for a supplementary exam.
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From 1 January 2010
All applications for initial registration as a migration agent received on or after 1 January 2010 will need to meet a new increased English Language Standard. The following standard applies:
- an IELTS test score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each sub-test (speaking, listening, reading and writing) in the academic module undertaken not more than 2 years prior to lodgement of an Application for Registration as a Migration Agent
- an internet based TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 100 with a minimum score of 22 in each subtest in speaking, listening, reading and writing undertaken not more than 2 years prior to lodgement of the Migration Agents Registration Application
- evidence that the person has successfully completed:
- matriculation level with a pass in English (not English as a Second Language) where English was the language of instruction at the school
and
- 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(Note 1) 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
Note: Other countries where English is an official language will be considered on a case by case basis
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.
Off campus 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
Semester 2 Closing date for applications is 25 June 2010 – NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Semester 2 Delivery Dates
| Dates for semester 2, 2010 |
| Melbourne -Face to Face and off campus |
| Unit |
Census Date |
Unit of Study Start date |
Unit of Study End date |
Exam date |
| BLO5605 |
31/8 |
10/7 |
1/9 |
4/9 |
| BLO5606 | 22/9 |
9/10 |
| BLO5607 | 3/10 |
6/11 |
| BLO5608 | 31/10 |
11-14/11 |
| Sydney -Face to Face and off campus |
| Unit |
Census Date |
Unit of Study Start date |
Unit of Study End date |
Exam date |
| BLO5605 |
31/8 |
23/7 |
1/9 |
4/9 |
| BLO5606 | 16/9 |
9/10 |
| BLO5607 | 3/11 |
6/11 |
| BLO5608 | 14/11 |
11-14/11 |
| Adelaide -Face to Face and off campus |
| Unit |
Census Date |
Unit of Study Start date |
Unit of Study End date |
Exam date |
| BLO5605 |
31/8 |
16/7 |
2/9 |
4/9 |
| BLO5606 | 23/9 |
9/10 |
| BLO5607 | 3/11 |
6/11 |
| BLO5608 | 14/11 |
11-14/11 |
| Off Campus |
| Unit |
Census Date |
Unit of Study Start date |
Unit of Study End date |
Exam date |
| BLO5605 |
31/8 |
20/7 |
11/8 |
4/9 |
| BLO5606 | 25/8 |
9/10 |
| BLO5607 | 12/9 |
6/11 |
| BLO5608 | 14/11 |
11-14/11 |
|
Semester 2 Nominal Hours before Censuse Date for Each Unit
| Semester 2 Nominal Hours, 2010 |
| Unit Code |
Nominal Hours Total |
Nominal Hrs before census date |
| BLO5605 |
42 |
39 (92.9%) |
| BLO5606 |
42 |
39 (92.9%) |
| BLO5607 |
42 |
12.5 (29%) |
| BLO5608 |
42 |
12.5 (29%) |
|
Breakdown of overall course schedule
Semester 2 Timetables
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
2010 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. If you do not meet these criteria’s, you may elect to undertake the Professional Certificate in Immigration Law – An introduction course. Upon successful completion of the 2 assessment items, you may be offered a part-time place within the Graduate Certificate. Please refer to our brochure situated at www.businessandlaw.vu.edu.au/immlaw
You should complete the 2010 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form and return it to the relevant location as soon as possible.
2010 Admissions
The cut off date for 2010 Semester 2 applications is 25th June.
Here is a link to the 2010 Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form
Closing date for 2010 applications is 30 November, 2009. No late submissions will be accepted
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Fees
- The fees for the Graduate Certificate are $2364.13 per subject. The entire course of four (4) subjects is $9456.52.
- 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.v
- 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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Melbourne Administration Team
- Laura Kretiuk, Course Co-ordinator, 9919 1810
- Yang Zou, Student Administration Officer, 9919 1811
- Joel Edwards, Casual Student Administration Assistant
- Direct Fax number, 9919 1817
Sydney Administration Team
For email enquires: immlaw@vu.edu.au
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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.
Last reviewed:
20/05/2010
