How studying migration law impacts lives

Migrating to a new country is an exciting journey and Australia is a popular destination – but it can mean dealing with complicated legal processes, documents, and requirements. As a migration lawyer or registered migration agent, you’re there to offer assistance and advocacy.  

Whether it’s explaining eligibility requirements or taking people through different visa categories, every case is different. With changes happening constantly, you’re a valuable resource to guide people on how the rules affect their specific situation. 

As a migration lawyer or registered migration agent, you’ll stay up-to-date with constant changes in Australian immigration laws and regulations and help people navigate them.  

Every case is different, but can involve:  

• Completing and submitting accurate, timely applications for clients.
• Helping applicants avoid common mistakes when filling out forms and providing evidence.
• Explaining specific rules and requirements, like the points-based system for skilled visas.
• Offering personalised advice on choosing the right visa category, planning for family migration, and explaining their rights and obligations.
• Managing administrative work, like corresponding with the Department of Home Affairs, tracking the progress of applications, and keeping clients informed at every step.
• Providing representation and advocacy for clients facing any legal issues during the migration process. 

You're there to ultimately offer clarity, expertise and support as people prepare to start a new life in Australia.  

You can register as a migration agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) once you have completed: 

1. If required, the Professional Course in Australian Migration Law (32 hours)
2. The Graduate Diploma in Migration Law from VU (1 year or longer part-time)
3. The Prescribed Migration Agents Capstone Assessment (3 hours) 

Other requirements include a basic proficiency in English. Find out more about registering as a migration agent online at the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority. 

Start your career in Australian migration law with VU’s leading Graduate Diploma in Migration Law. This eight-unit course is designed for legal practitioners, HR migration specialists and government workers looking to gain advanced knowledge in migration law and policy.  

Start your journey helping people settle successfully into the country, contributing to our thriving, diverse community. We design our postgraduate program to be flexible for working professionals, with a combination of online learning and face-to-face classes on the weekend in Melbourne and Sydney. You can also choose to study entirely online during evenings.  

To be considered for postgraduate study, you’ll need to have completed an Australian Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.  

If you don’t meet the admissions requirements, you can complete VU’s pathway course: the Professional Course in Australian Migration Law. After completing this, you can gain admission into the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law. This course is run online once a year, and our 2025 dates are in May this year – check the webpage for full details.

Want to expand your skillset and open even more doors in the legal world? Once you've completed the Graduate Diploma, you'll also be eligible to pathway on to our Bachelor of Laws – with credits.