This introductory course can be taken alone or in conjunction with LAWS8167. It examines the fundamentals of Australia's visa system: the vital rules for making a valid visa application: the procedures for decision making the general requirements for most visas and criteria for obtaining visas. In addition students will consider the problem solving skills needed to apply this legal knowledge to particular situations when looking for solutions, visa options and alternative pathways for clients.

LAWS8168 covers:

• Australia's visa system, conditions and criteria
• application procedures for visas
• appropriate strategies for providing effective advice to clients
• documentation and processes for professional practice
• formulating submissions for visa applications
• research skills
• professional conduct.

At the completion of LAWS 8168 you should be able to:

• assess different visas and their respective requirements
• demonstrate sound knowledge of application procedures for different visas
• formulate and implement appropriate strategies for providing effective advice to clients
• prepare  appropriate submissions to government
• demonstrate the ability to discriminate between ethical and unethical operational practices
• recognise when and how to undertake appropriate research to prepare submissions, and applications and effectively advocate for clients.

The course aims to equip you with:

• the skills needed to determine and advise on visa options
• the research capacity to find appropriate legal materials - including researching various legal databases such as LEGENDcom, Austlii and Comlaw.

The graduate attributes you are developing in this course are:

• practical, technical and technological knowledge
• critical and analytical thinking
• problem solving
• effective written communication
• self-reliance
• legal research and critical evaluation skills
• a knowledge of relevant social and ethical issues.

At the completion of the course you will be expected to understand and demonstrate values that support professional practices and development.

A mix of assessment tasks to test competencies including written assignments, case studies and simulated client interviews will be used in the program.

An invigilated exam will be held in this course. Students will be provided with details of exam centres. Enrolment in the exam will be necessary.

Students are generally expected to devote approximately 10-15 hours per week to this course.  This is a blended Program that includes online (distance study) with some face to face weekends.  Online access to course materials, study resources, discussion forums with teachers and other students, makes this Program highly flexible.

This course does not assume you have knowledge of Australian Law or legal research skills.  However if you have a background in a legal area or have previously studied law, you will be able to use this to assist in your study of migration and immigration law.

LAWS8167 - Australian Migration Law and MARA.  This may also be taken as a co-requisite

None

Students are expected to conduct extensive online research and wide reading during their study. Prior to the start of the course students should familiarise themselves with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), ComLaw and Austlii websites.

The reading guide will be available on the course website.

This course makes extensive use of online technology for accessing resources, activities and assessment.  It is in your best interests to ensure you have a secure computer, preferably at home, where you can access all on-line information without restriction or difficulty.

If you intend using IT supplied by your employer, please be aware that you are likely to experience difficulties accessing key on-line resources due to firewall and security restrictions.

The computer you intend to use should meet the following minimum specifications:

Hardware

• CD ROM/ DVD Player
• Sound Card and speakers
• Video Card
• Modem
• Broadband (dial-up access is not recommended) access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Printer

Software

• Firefox is the recommended web browser
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free download)
• Real Player (Free download)
• Microsoft Word

WATTLE relies heavily on the use of "pop ups". You will need to disable "pop up blockers" for WATTLE on your internet browser and or Firewall/Anti virus software and toolbars.