Migration law is a public law course concerned with the regulation by the government of migrants into Australia.  This course examines the Migration Act, Regulations, and relevant court decisions, developing skills in statutory interpretation and legal analysis.  It aims to demonstrate administrative, constitutional and international law in action in migration areas, and encourages thinking about the interaction among the legislature, executive and judiciary.  This course is designed, not simply to follow detailed rules of visa system that are subject to constant changes, but to provide fundamental building blocks to equip students with the skills to identify main issues involved and construct legal and policy advice in an effective manner.

At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:

• understand the legal framework regulating entry into Australia
• demonstrate statutory interpretation and legal analysis skills
• appreciate and critically review the extent of the coherence, fairness and effectiveness in Australian migration law
• understand the forces that shape the law including multiculturalism, international norms and democratic institutions
• understand the procedures associated with visa cancellation and appeals
• demonstrate legal advice skills
• demonstrate policy advice skills based on legal considerations
• appreciate the role of administrative and judicial review.

There are three compulsory items of assessment: class participation; mid-semester assignment; and the assessment at the end of the course.

More information about the means of assessment, including the relationship between the assessment and the learning outcomes of the course will be available on the course home page.

It is expected that the course will be taught over six days in an intensive mode, requiring students to devote approximately 20-25 hours per week over the summer.

LAWS1205 Australian Public Law.  Students will benefit from having completed LAWS2201 Administrative Law.
Completed or completing five LAWS courses at 1000 level.

Information about prescribed texts will be made available in the course outline.  See the course home page.

Familiarise yourself with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website and other online material, including the course site.  Read any text that excites your interest in the role of law in regulating entry into Australia.  For example, Crock, Saul and Dastyari The Future Seekers II (Federation Press, 2006).