how to become a migration lawyer in australia

by Oleta Hodkiewicz 10 min read

  • Complete a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. This is the recommended course by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
  • After graduating, enrol in and pass the Capstone Assessment.
  • Apply to become a Registered Migration Agent with OMARA within 12 months of passing the Capstone Assessment. ...
  • Get Professional Indemnity Insurance. This is a requirement of all Registered Migration Agents.
  • Maintain a professional library. A professional library containing current acts and regulations and policies and procedures must be maintained at a Migration Agent’s place of business.
  • Undertake continuing professional development (CPD). Given legislation is constantly changing, once you become a Migration Agent you are required to complete professional development hours each year to ensure your knowledge ...

To become a migration agent, you usually need to study a degree in law, or complete a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice, and complete a Capstone assessment. Most universities in Western Australia offer relevant undergraduate courses.

Full Answer

How do I become an immigration lawyer in Australia?

An immigration lawyer will have completed a law degree and been admitted as a lawyer in Australia. Under current laws, both immigration lawyers and migration agents are required to be registered. Agents are licenced by the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

Can a lawyer be a migration agent?

However, many lawyers are also migration agents. If a lawyer wants to become a migration agent and practise immigration law, they must also register with MARA. Furthermore, immigration lawyers usually retain dual registration to provide immigration advice and assistance.

What is the best migration law course in Australia?

VU is Australia’s leading migration law education provider, with the longest-running program nationwide. The Graduate Diploma in Migration Law is designed for legal practitioners, HR migration specialists and government workers to build on their knowledge and become registered migration agents.

How to become a migration agent in Australia?

the Australian Visa system, including applications, appeals and reviews. The course emphasises problem-based, real-life interactive learning experiences. The Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice is the minimum qualification for individuals seeking registration in Australia as a Migration Agent.

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Where can I study migration law 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.

How much does a migration agent earn in Australia?

$1,889 Weekly Pay What is Average weekly pay?

How do I become a migration consultant in Australia?

How to become a Migration AgentComplete a Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. ... After graduating, enrol in and pass the Capstone Assessment.Apply to become a Registered Migration Agent with OMARA within 12 months of passing the Capstone Assessment. ... Get Professional Indemnity Insurance.More items...

How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Australia?

Immigration lawyer costs for permanent residence In the case of permanent residency visas, you can expect fees ranging from AUD$4,500 to $8,500 excluding GST and disbursements.

How do I become a visa agent?

Skills needed to become a visa or immigration consultantCandidates must have a degree or any other qualification needed for a Visa and immigration consultancy.Fluency in English is needed. ... Experienced in immigration processes and OISC accreditation.Experience in lobbying is an added advantage.More items...•

How much does it cost to apply for Australia PR?

What is the cost for an Australian PR? (2022) The fees for Australian Permanent residency is : Primary applicant: $4115 Australian dollars or 2,20,825 Indian rupees. Dependent above 18 years (spouse): $2055 Australian dollar or 110298 Indian Rupees.

What is Marn in Australia?

the migration agent registration number (MARN).

Is immigration legal in Australia?

Australia has a complex immigration system and all foreign nationals require a visa to enter, remain or work in Australia. Australia's rich migration history has led to the development of a legislative framework that continues to be refined to respond to contemporary economic, political and cultural influences.

Is becoming an immigration lawyer worth it?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for lawyers, which includes those practicing immigration law, is strong. The agency expects employment in this field to grow 9% by 2030, which is about as fast as the average rate of occupations in the general workforce.

What do immigration lawyers do Australia?

Immigration lawyers in Australia advise on both judicial review and merits review of applications. Migration agents who are not lawyers cannot advise in respect of Judicial Review of applications.

Is a migration agent a lawyer?

An extremely important distinction between migration agents and immigration lawyers surrounds this concept of 'legal professional privilege'. While a migration agent is required to keep communication between themselves and a client confidential, only a lawyer can claim legal professional privilege.

What is the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law?

By completing the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law and the prescribed external capstone exam, you will meet the knowledge requirements for registration as a migration agent with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).

How many credit points are required for a graduate degree in migration law?

To attain the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law students will be required to complete 96 credit points consisting of:

How to contact Victoria University?

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.

Is there a bridging course in migration law?

We also offer a bridging course as a pathway into the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law. You are guaranteed entry into the Graduate Diploma on completion of our Professional Course in Australian Migration Law.

When was the Migration Agents Registration Authority last updated?

Last updated on 21 July 2021.

Who provides practice management in Victoria?

In Victoria the practice management course is currently provided by the Law Institute of Victoria, Leo Cussen and the College of Law.

What to do if you don't have a trust certificate?

If you do not have a practising certificate with trust authorisation, you will need to apply to vary your practising certificate and open a trust account before you can accept trust money from clients. You must be able to satisfy the skills and expertise requirements required for trust authorisation.

How to get a principal practising certificate?

A straightforward way to demonstrate you have the skills and expertise to hold a principal practising certificate is by completing a practice management course. If you are unable to complete the practice management course (PMC) before 22 March, 2021 we may grant you a Principal Practising Certificate on the condition that you complete the PMC within three months of getting your certificate. This can be discussed on a case by case basis, so please use the lawyer enquiry form to speak to a member of our team if you can’t complete the course in time.

What is a law practice certificate?

an employee practising certificate, working for a law practice.

Can you provide migration advice as a registered migration agent?

While you continue to hold dual registration you can provide migration advice as a registered migration agent.

Can you provide legal services under supervision?

However, you can only provide associated legal services under supervision. Once you have completed all SLP requirements you need to have the condition removed from your practising certificate. Once you have your SLP condition removed you can no longer hold dual registration so will need to ensure you hold the right practising certificate ...

What is the qualification to become a migration agent in Australia?

Education and Knowledge Requirements. As you might expect, becoming a Migration Agent requires legal training. Thus, in order to be eligible, you must either have a current law practising degree or have obtained a Graduate Diploma in Australian ...

What is a migration agent in Australia?

Obtaining a migration agent qualification in Australia is a thorough and continuous process. This helps to create a standard across all migration agents - that they are trained to the same high standards, have all of the relevant legislation readily available, and they have the integrity required when giving legal advice.

What is a police check for migration?

Intended to show that an applicant is a person of honesty and integrity, this police check shows things such as interstate criminal/traffic outcomes as well as ongoing proceedings or warrants. The police check must be completed within the last 12 months prior to registering to become a migration agent.

What is a lawyer?

Lawyers are good communicators who cultivate the ability to debate, persuade and pull the levers that control our societies. Lawyers will often specialise in distinct areas of law, such as corporate and commercial law, litigation, employment, data security and information technology law, intellectual property, employment, family, criminal law just to name a few.

How many work placements are required for a law degree?

With our law degrees, you’ll complete three work placements as part of your degree. Each placement is 20 days each so you’ll have 60 days’ real world experience before you know it. You’ll be experiencing what it's like on the ground in legal environments such as a national firm, an in-house legal team or at a government department.

How long does it take to get a law degree at Swinburne University?

When you graduate from most law degrees, you’ll then need to complete 12 months of work experience under a practising lawyer and study a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. When studying at Swinburne, you now have a choice to make.

What is the requirement to get a bachelors in law?

To study a Bachelor of Laws, you must satisfy one of these requirements: a Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification (2019 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 90) completion (or partial completion) of a degree.

Is it worth it to work in a respected profession?

It’s a fair bit of work, but to enter one of the most respected professions with the power to shape our futures. It’ll be worth it.

Is there a law school in Victoria?

No other law school in Victoria has this level of skills and experiential learning. Even if you don’t want to be a lawyer, a law degree can be a ticket into many other professions. It is a very useful skill for many roles - as everyone deals with the law in one way or another.

Is it right to become a lawyer?

If you’re looking for a rewarding career that has the power to help and protect the rights of individuals, groups, and organisations while being an integral part of our justice system, becoming a lawyer could be the right move for you.

What is the Difference Between an Immigration Lawyer and a Migration Agent?

Migration agents are registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) and can:

What can an immigration lawyer do?

Therefore, an immigration lawyer or migration agent can: firstly, help you determine what type of visa you need; secondly, assess your suitability; thirdly, ensure you have included all necessary documentation in your application; and. finally, save you unnecessary stress.

What are the duties of a migration agent?

Migration agents, registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) can: 1 provide advice on visa requirements; 2 assist with lodging visa applications; and 3 deal with the Department of Home Affairs on your behalf.

How much does it cost to get a visa if it is refused?

However, if your application is refused, it can be very costly. Some visa applications can cost more than $8,000. Refunds for lodging the application are only available in limited circumstances. Furthermore, if you are a business or employer, you must also pay the SAF Levy.

How to contact LegalVision immigration?

Therefore, if you are applying for a visa or need help appealing your application, you can contact LegalVision’s immigration lawyers on 1300 544 755 or fill out the form on this page.

What is legal vision?

About LegalVision: LegalVision is a tech-driven, full-service commercial law firm that uses technology to deliver a faster, better quality and more cost-effective client experience.

Is it stressful to migrate?

Finally, there is no doubt that migrating is a stressful experience . When you use a migration agent or immigration lawyer, you are guided each step of the way.

What can an immigration lawyer do in Australia?

Our immigration lawyer in Australia can provide a wide range of services to foreigners which are divided based on the reasons for arrival in this country ; you can request information on the full list of documents one should prepare when applying for a visa, as well as on the specific type of visa that one should apply for ( Australian visas are divided into numerous categories and sub-classes). As a general rule, such documents can be divided between the following:

What are the basic services in order to immigrate to Australia?

As a foreigner, you can arrive in Australia for different reasons and for each type of situation that determined the need to relocate in this country, one has to apply for a specific type of visa (there are certain exemptions from this regulation, which can be detailed by our immigration lawyer in Australia ).

What is the latest data on immigration in Australia?

The data on the number of foreigners living in Australia is gathered by the Department of Home Affairs of the Australian Government. The institution has made public the statistics on the immigration program for 2018-2019, which reveals that immigration to Australia was mainly done through work opportunities and then through family-related options, as follows:

What is refugee status?

A refugee is a person who needs to leave his or her home country due to various reasons that are threatening the person’s life or integrity. A refugee in Australia, or an asylum seeker, can obtain this status through a process which is called refugee status determination.

Can foreigners relocate to a foreign country?

Given the fact that people have a wide range of options for relocating to a foreign country and that international transportation connects most of the world’s nations, foreign citizens can now relocate to basically all the states that have an immigration policy.

Can a foreigner become an Australian citizen?

Yes, foreigners can become Australian citizens. There are several ways through which foreigners can obtain Australian citizenship. As a foreigner who is not related in any way with a local national, one can obtain citizenship by becoming a permanent resident (as a foreigner, it is necessary to have a permanent residence permit in Australia if you want to become a citizen).

Can a married person apply for citizenship in Australia?

Persons who are married to local citizens can also apply for citizenship. There are different legal requirements based on the specific situation of a foreigner and this is why we invite you to address our imigration lawyer in Australia for professional legal advice and legal representation.

What's it like to be a Migration Agent?

Migration Agents are registered professionals who provide advice and assistance to immigrants and refugees who are migrating to Australia, or those who wish to stay in Australia from overseas.

Latest Migration Agent jobs on SEEK

Be one of the first to discover these recently listed jobs, or browse all Migration Agent jobs on SEEK right now.

How to become a Migration Agent

It takes extensive preparation and approval from the Australian Government to become a Migration Agent. You must be at least 18 years of age and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen with a special category visa.

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