Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice

This program meets one of the knowledge requirements of becoming a registered Migration Agent in Australia. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) recognises Griffith University as a provider of the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Applicants intending to register should also ensure they meet OMARA requirements for registration. Only Australian citizens (or those holding permanent resident visas) can register with OMARA.

Our courses are specifically designed to equip emerging migration agents to meet the Occupational Competency Standards for Registered Migration Agents. Graduates are equipped with a broad range of knowledge about the theoretical and practical aspects required to succeed in this occupation. Our program and course design, as well as our online capstone preparation module are important components in supporting students as part of their own study for the independent capstone exam (see Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website for details).

As a registered Migration Agent, there are a range of opportunities to specialise in certain areas or assist clients with a broad range of important work.

Registered Migration Agents have a great deal of career flexibility, with the ability to work in large corporate settings, or to run their own sole trader business from home.

This program is open both to lawyers and to those without a legal background - specifically those who wish to become a registered migration agent . As a currently registered migration agent wishing to complete the program, you should also note that it will provide credit towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. The program may also offer credit to lawyers for CPD. You should check with the relevant law society in this regard.

This program is also suitable for people working in industries where having knowledge of migration law is important, including accountants, engineers, ICT professionals and paralegals.

Note: Graduates of this award intending to apply to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) for registration as a Migration Agent must also pass a separate capstone exam. Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) will provide details of this separate requirement on its website.

This program meets one of the knowledge requirements of becoming a registered Migration Agent in Australia. The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) recognises Griffith University as a provider of the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice. Applicants intending to register should also ensure they meet OMARA requirements for registration. for registration as a Migration Agent must also pass a separate capstone exam. Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) will provide details of this separate requirement on its website.

To be eligible for admission to the Graduate Diploma of Australian Migration Law and Practice, an applicant must hold:

• a Bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised University (or another tertiary education institution of equivalent standing) with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale) OR
• a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice with a minimum GPA of 4.0 (on a 7-point scale).

Where an applicant holds a Bachelor degree but does not have a minimum GPA of 4.0, they may (in selected circumstances) apply to waive the GPA requirement on the basis of five years work experience in a related field. In these circumstances, the applicant must supply evidence of relevant professional registration or vocational experience in a related field. Such applicants, who will normally have worked in middle management positions for a minimum of five years, will be required to provide references from their employers attesting to their ability to complete the program. In these cases, the Program Director will make the final decision and must be satisfied as to the applicant's ability to complete such a program of study

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 58.

International students who successfully complete the Direct Entry Program (DEP) will satisfy the English Language requirements for this Griffith degree.

The Direct Entry Program (DEP) is not available for Domestic students.

The above requirements are HIGHER than those stipulated in University policy. Applicants should refer to the English language requirements section of the following procedure for further information:

• Admission Procedure

If you do not meet the University's specified English language requirements, you may wish to contact the Griffith English Language Institute to increase your eligibility for entering a Griffith University program. This Institute offers a number of English language and other courses at both its Brisbane and Gold Coast branches.

• Griffith English Language Institute

English language requirements (for registration as a migration agent)

All applications for initial registration as a migration agent received on or after 1 January 2010 will need to meet new increased English language requirements. The following requirements will apply:

• an IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 6.5 in each sub-test (speaking, listening, reading and writing) and undertaken no more than two years prior to lodgement of an application for registration as a migration agent or
• an internet-based TOEFL score of 100 with a minimum score of 22 in each sub-test in speaking, listening, reading and writing and undertaken no more than two years prior to lodgement of an application for registration as a migration agent or
• 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 bachelors degree (or a higher degree) with a minimum of three years equivalent full-time study where:
• the degree was conferred by an Australian, New Zealand, United Kingdom (Britain) or Canadian university*
• the study was undertaken while the person was residing in the country where the degree was awarded
• English was the language of instruction at the university.

* Other countries where English is an official language will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please check the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority website for full details.

Upon successful completion of this program, you may apply for registration as an Australian Migration agent via the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) website provided that other registration requirements have been met.

Graduates of this award intending to apply to the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority for registration as a Migration Agent must also pass a separate capstone exam. Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) will provide details of this separate requirement on its website.

Career opportunities for Registered Migration Agents are flexible. Our graduates have found employment both in large corporate settings, NGOs, and as sole traders, running their business from home to suit their needs.