Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
LAWS503 Introduction to Australian Migration Law
Unit rationale, description and aim
With a high percentage of graduates entering the profession as a sole trader, it is imperative that students possess the skills to take them forward and assist them in building a professional practice. An awareness of the Code of Conduct and how it relates to an ethical practice will include knowledge and application of both financial obligations and those obligations that must be met when providing migration advice. Taking into account other regulatory requirements, students should develop the practical skills required to establish and manage a professional migration practice within the parameters of the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) Code and Conduct and the Department of Home Affairs' Occupational Competency Standards.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Communicate professionally with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders to assist and advocate for clients whilst maintaining professionalism and cultural sensitivity |
| LO2 | Demonstrate knowledge of migration agents’ obligations under the Code of Conduct through ethical practice and decision making when offering migration advice and advocating on behalf of clients |
| LO3 | Apply the Code of Conduct and professional behaviour necessary to address and maintain financial obligations and appropriate file management for clients |
| LO4 | Undertake a self-audit of their practice and business in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Occupational Competency Standards developed by the Department of Home Affairs |
Content
- Overview of an Ethical Migration Practice
- Ethics
- The business of Business
- Fees and Charges
- Record keeping and Management
- Financial duties
- Termination of Services
- Multi-cultural Communication
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This is the seventh unit in the Graduate Diploma in Australian Migration Law and Practice. It is the prescribed qualification for initial registration with OMARA as per s289A of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
Our strategy is to encourage students to actively engage with unit content and their peers. Up to 80% of graduates will be in practice as sole practitioners. It is envisaged that developing a community of practice within each unit of learning will encourage students to maintain connections with peers into their professional careers.
This subject will be delivered in online mode only. We have taken an online learning approach to provide accessibility and flexibility to our post graduate students and a student focused approach that increases depth of learning and engagement through actively utilising Canvas.
Assessment strategy and rationale
This graduate course is the prescribed qualification for registration with OMARA to provide migration advice. On completion of all units, students who wish to apply for registration will also sit an independent capstone examination regulated by OMARA.
The assessment tasks for this unit are designed to demonstrate achievement of each of the learning outcomes listed. Occupational Competency Standards have been produced by Department of Home Affairs and have guided our assessment as the underpinning knowledge and skills required by a migration law practitioner.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
Engagement in designated online activities | 20% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
Advice to Client | 40% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
Advice to Client | 40% | LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4 |
Representative texts and references
Austlii http://www.austlii.edu.au
Legendcom http:// http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/LEGE
Australian Guide to Legal Citations, Third Edition
Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth)
Legislative Instruments Act 2003 (Cth)
Migration Act 1958 (Cth), Part 3, Migration Agents and Immigration Assistance
Migration Agents Registration Application Charge Act 1997
Migration Regulations 1994
Migration Agents’ Regulations 1998
Department of Home Affairs Procedural Instructions and Policy
Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority http://www.mara.gov.au
Occupational Competency Standards, Department of Home Affairs