This course, delivered by the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, provides an understanding of Australian immigration law and practice. It enables existing practitioners (accounting, legal and others) to expand their areas of practice.

If you successfully complete the appropriate combination of units. you will be eligible to practice as a registered Australian Migration Agent.

The course is taught by leading experts in Australian immigration law, including Law Institute of Victoria accredited specialist lawyers, the former head of the Refugee Review Tribunal, and a Senior Magistrate. Find out more about Sir Zelman Cowen Centre academic staff.

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 and Sydney.

Please be aware that it is an Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) requirement that intending Migration Agents must be Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents. Applicants are encouraged to contact 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 MARA official website.

Applications

In addition to a direct entry application form, applicants must include:

• a 200 word personal statement
• certified copies of transcripts/academic history, including any related testamurs
• if your qualification was obtained overseas, you must provide the Australian Equivalence of your overseas qualification. Please visit Australian Government's Assessment of overseas qualification page for assessment procedures. This assessment can take up to 3 months. 

International students must also include:

• IELTS paperwork

References may also be included to support your application, but they are not compulsory.

Once reviewed, the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre will notify you of the outcome of your application via email.

2013 application cutoff date

Applications for 2013 close on Friday 30 November 2012. Late applications will not be accepted.

Download the 2013 Semester 1 timetable

Further information

Contact the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre administration team on +61 3 9919 1843, or via email at immlaw@vu.edu.au

• Location:
  City Queen
• Other locations:
  Flexible delivery mode.
• College:
  College of Law and Justice
• Duration:
  0.5 years
• Intake:
  February and July
• Course code:
  BTAL
• CRICOS:
  072576G
• Fees:
  A$10390.00 per semester
• This information is for international students.
  Click here to see information for Australian residents

How to apply

This course could lead to a career as a migration agent.

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

The course aims to provide students with an understanding of Australian immigration law and practice and will enable existing practitioners, accounting, legal and others to expand their areas of practice. Students who successfully complete the appropriate combination of units will be eligible to practice as registered Australian Migration Agents. The objectives of this course are to produce graduates who can demonstrate AQF Level 8 skills such as:

• Demonstrate a strong technical of migration and administrative law and be able to employ that knowledge in a range of industry and community situations;
• Understand and apply relevant requirements of the Migration Act and to provide solutions to complex problems for clients;
• Convey assessment and regulatory information to a range of audiences including clients, public authorities and other significant stakeholders in a number of ways including briefs, responses and visa applications; and
• Apply ethical and professional standards the provision of immigration law advice to clients, independently and also as a member of a team.

The course is offered on a full-time basis over one semester and part-time basis over two semesters. The postgraduate units of study carry a value of 12 credit points. Each student must obtain 48 credit points through academic study to graduate.

• Australian Immigration Law

  Unit code

  BLO5605

  Credits

  12

• Australia's Visa System

  Unit code

  BLO5606

  Credits

  12

• Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review

  Unit code

  BLO5607

  Credits

  12

• Applied Migration Law and Practice

  Unit code

  BLO5608

  Credits

  12

• TAFE: To qualify for admission to the course, applicants must have completed 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.
• Year 12: This course is not available to Year 12 school leavers. Applicants must have completed an Australian Bachelors degree (or equivalent) or can demonstrate the capacity to study successfully at a postgraduate level. Such admissions will be at the discretion of the Selection Officer at the Victoria Law School.
• International: International students must provide evidence of proficiency in the English language with an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent overall score of 6.5 and no individual band score less than 6.0.
• Mature: To qualify for admission to the course, applicants must have completed 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.
• Other: Applicants must also complete a 200 word statement detailing their interest in the course and submit a Higher Education Direct Admission/Supplementary Information Form.

English language requirements

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.