Overview
Gain advanced knowledge in migration law and prepare to register as a migration agent with a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law at Victoria University (VU).
Take advantage of VU’s status as Australia’s leading migration law education provider by studying this practical and engaging course, the longest-running migration law program nationwide.
If your goal is to become a registered migration agent and work in the migration space as a legal practitioner, HR specialist or government worker, this one-year graduate diploma will equip you with essential knowledge and skills in:
- migration law and policy
- legal research and drafting
- submission writing
- professional and interpersonal communication
- knowledge about the migrant experience and human rights issues.
Enjoy the flexibility and adaptability of this postgraduate program, designed for working professionals.
Timetables
Get the knowledge to register as a migration agent
You’ll meet the knowledge requirements for registration as a migration agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) once you have completed:
- your Graduate Diploma in Migration Law from VU
- the prescribed external capstone exam.
You must also meet some other requirements, including English language proficiency. Find out more about registration as a migration agent at the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Choose flexible online or in-person learning
If you're a domestic student or you’re not on a student visa while studying at VU, you can choose to study this course online.
If you’re a working professional like many of our students, you can fit study alongside other commitments with our flexible options. Choose between:
- weekday evening classes, entirely online (Online Real Time; ORT)
- weekend learning, with a combination of online (Online Real Time; ORT) classes and in-person classes in Melbourne and Sydney.
Get work-ready with practical learning
Benefit from practical, applicable learning that makes VU’s Graduate Diploma in Migration Law renowned.
You will learn from expert teaching staff who have taught migration law at Victoria University for over 35 years and are leading legal practitioners in this field. They include:
- Law Institute of Victoria and Law Society of New South Wales Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law
- Best Lawyers as published in the Australian Financial Review
- the Australian Migration Legislation Collection and the Australian Immigration Companion
- Former Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Specialisation Board of the Law Institute of Victoria in immigration law for many years
- current member of the Specialisation Board of the Law Institute of Victoria.
As part of your course, you’ll take part in mock client interviews, helping you to learn the kind of questions you will be asked and the kind of responses you will be required to give as a migration agent once you’re fully qualified.
You may also choose to complete an optional two-week placement program with migration agencies.
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.
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Migration agent Jaspreet Kaur says, "Victoria University's curriculum is practical and reflects the industry. VU fosters a learning environment premised on students achieving excellence."
Careers
With a Graduate Diploma in Migration Law from VU, you’ll be equipped with the academic skills to succeed in a range of roles across industry sectors including:
- registered migration agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA)
- specialised migration lawyer
- community law advisor
- human resource assessors and advisers
- policy work in government and industry.
While this course fulfils the academic knowledge requirement for registration as a migration agent with OMARA, some other requirements also apply.
See OMARA for further information.
Course structure
To attain the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law students will be required to complete 96 credit points consisting of:
- 96 credit points of Core studies.
Course structure and units
-
- Unit code
- LML6001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6006
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6007
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- LML6008
- Credits
- 12
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Review conceptual frameworks and exhibit advanced technical knowledge of migration and administrative law employing independent judgement in their application in wide ranging contexts and communities | ||
| 2. | Interpret relevant provisions of the Migration Act, Regulations and associated legislation contextualised in cross-disciplinary knowledge in order to initiate creative solutions to multi-faceted problems, while respecting and valuing the diversity of clients | ||
| 3. | Provide complex assessment of and advocate for regulatory decisions for a range of stakeholders in a number of ways, including briefs, responses and visa applications, while balancing the interests of individuals and public good | ||
| 4. | Exemplify ethical and professional standards in the provision of migration law advice to clients both independently and also as a member of a team | ||
| 5. | Exhibit responsibility and accountability for own learning and professional practice in collaboration with others and within broad parameters |
What's a unit?
A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.
Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.
Credits
Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: Full-fee
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- Commonwealth supported place pay tuition fees that are partly subsidised by the Australian government
- full fee-paying place need to pay the full amount for all enrolled units before census each study period.
In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.
Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.
Pathways to further study
On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:
You will be credited for up to 60 credit points of study.
You will be credited for up to 72 credit points of study.
Find out more about our study pathways to VU
How to apply
Available start dates:
- 24 February 2025
- 28 July 2025
Before you apply
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
- Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Find out more about applying for our courses.
Apply direct to VU
Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now
Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.
Get help
- Visit a student service centre
- 1300 VIC UNI (1300 842 864)
- Request a call back
- Visit the glossary
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
