This guide contains information about how to reference migration law materials including Acts, regulations, reported cases, unreported cases, PAM3, ministerial directions and instruments. It also contains advice for students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law about repeated references.
Please see the VU AGLC4 Guide for more information about AGLC4 referencing, including information about how to reference books, journal articles, and other materials.
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Act, Regulation, Reported Case, Unreported Case, PAM3, Ministerial Direction, Instrument Frequently Asked Questions
Check the most frequently asked questions (and answers) about referencing migration law sources |
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When referring to an Act, follow this format:
Two important things to note:
When we refer to an Act we often reference to a specific section within the Act. If you are making a reference to a specific section of the Act, then the reference should be as follows:
Title | Year | Jurisdiction | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|
Migration Act | 1958 | (Cth) | s 5C |
Two important things to note:
IMPORTANT: You may use the Migration legislation Collection textbook, but you must reference the legislation directly – not the book.
You can find more information about referencing Acts in our main AGLC4 guide.
The Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth) is legislation that is delegated from the Migration Act 1958 (Cth).
To reference regulations, follow this format:
Two important things to note:
When referring to a Regulation and a specific reference within the Regulations (a pinpoint reference), follow this format:
Title | Year | Jurisdiction | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|
Migration Regulations | 1994 | (Cth) | sch 2 cl 010.211. |
In this example, the pinpoint reference for schedule 2 clause 010.211 of the Migration Regulations1994 (Cth) is abbreviated to sch 2 cl 010.211.
Title | Year | Jurisdiction | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|
Migration Regulations | 1994 | (Cth) | sch 1 item 1104BA(2)(a). |
In this example, the pinpoint reference for schedule 1 item 1104BA paragraph (2)(a) of the Migration Regulations1994 (Cth) is abbreviated to sch 1 item 1104BA (2)(a). (note that item is not abbreviated, and paragraph or para is not used - only the number appears for the paragraph).
Title | Year | Jurisdiction | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|
Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations | 2021 | (Cth) | s 10. |
NOTE: The pinpoint reference for the Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021 (Cth) is abbreviated to s for section.
Remember, footnotes may include pinpoints, but a bibliography should not.
IMPORTANT: You may use the Migration legislation Collection textbook, but you must reference the legislation directly – not the book.
You can find more information about referencing Acts in our main AGLC4 guide.
A reported case is one that has been published in a law report. A law report is a publication that publishes cases.
The required format is:
Case Name (italic font) | Year | Volume | Abbreviation for Law Report | Starting Page | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Al-Kateb v Godwin | (2004) | 219 | CLR | 562, | 571. |
In this example, the pinpoint reference to to page 571.
Two important things to note:
You can find more information about referencing case law in our main AGLC4 guide.
An unreported case is one that has not been published in a law report. A law report is a publication that publishes cases.
The required format is:
Case Name | Year | Unique Court Identifier | Judgment Number | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|---|
Zhang v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs | [2021] | FCCA | 2030 | [33]. |
The case in this example was the 2030th case delivered by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia in 2021.
Four important things to note:
You can find more information about referencing case law in our main AGLC4 guide.
To reference the Procedures Advice Manual, follow this format:
Author | Publication Tile | Policy Title | Stack Date | Paragraph Pinpoint. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Department of Home Affairs (Cth) | Procedures Advice Manual 3: | Refugee and Humanitarian – Complementary Protection Guidelines | 27 February 2021 | [3.3.2] |
Four things to note:
Follow this format to reference ministerial directions:
Author | Title | Date | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (Cth) | Direction No 90: VIsa Refusal and Cancellation under Section 501 and Revocation of a Mandatory Cancellation of a Visa under Section 501CA | (15 April 2021) | para 9.4.1. |
Three things to note:
Follow this format to reference legislative instruments:
Author | Title | Date | Pinpoint |
---|---|---|---|
Department of Home Affairs (Cth) | Migration (LIN 20/102: Arrangements for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications) Instrument 2020 | (24 February 2020) | s 6(1)(a). |
Three things to note:
It is recommended that students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law not use the rule for ibid (AGLC4 1.4.3), or the general rule for subsequent references (AGLC4 1.4.1). Instead, it is recommended that students completing assessments in the Graduate Diploma in Migration Law repeat citations in full.
BACHELOR OF LAWS | GRADUATE DIPLOMA ON MIGRATION LAW |
---|---|
1 Al-Kateb v Godwin (2004) 219 CLR 562, 567 ('Al-Kateb'). |
1 Al-Kateb v Godwin (2004) 219 CLR 562, 567. |
VU EasyRef is an easy-to-use, interactive, mobile based referencing tool for AGLC4, and other referencing styles. Scan the QR code to access VU EasyRef on your mobile.
Yes. Use a semicolon to separate each source.
Footnote numbers should generally be positioned after the full-stop at the end of the sentence. However, you can position them in a sentence, after relevant text, if necessary for clarity.
Use a comma to separate non-consecutive pinpoint references. Remember to use plural abbreviation of the highest level in the pinpoint reference.
E.g.
ss 7, 21. [means sections 7 and 21]
ss 3(1), (5). [means sections 3(1) and 3(5)]
Use an en-dash to separate consecutive pinpoint references. Remember to use plural abbreviation of the highest level in the pinpoint reference.
E.g.
ss 3 - 6. [means sections 3 to 6]
cls 5(a) - (d). [means clauses 5(a) to 5(d)]
AGLC4 rules 3.1.4 and 3.4 list abbreviations to be used.
Yes, but not as the first word in a sentence.
E.g.
It is likely that the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) s 5F would not...
Section 5F would not...
No. If all the information is already in the text you do not need to also include a footnote.
E.g.
According to the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) s 133A ... (note: no footnote is included)
The date you include is the 'stack date', which is given in the breadcrumbs near the top left of the screen when viewing PAM3 in the Legend database.
If the stack date is a range then write the date as a range. For example:
Department of Home Affairs (Cth), Procedures Advice Manual 3:Sch3-Additional Criteria to Unlawful Non-Citizens and Certain Bridging Visa Holders (01 July 2013 - 15 August 2013).
Yes. You can omit a heading and renumber the remaining headings.
E.g.
A Cases
B Legislation
C Other
You could use either Legislation or Other. However, it is important to be consistent. If you have more than one Ministerial Direction make sure you put them all under the same heading.
Although either heading may be used, we would suggest putting these sources under the heading Other, and leave Legislation for items that are more strictly Legislation.
You could use either Legislation or Other. However, it is important to be consistent. If you have more than one Legislative Instrument make sure you put them all under the same heading.
Although either heading may be used, we would suggest putting these sources under the heading Other, and leave Legislation for items that are more strictly Legislation.
Under the heading Other.
This is not legislation, but commentary about the legislation. Therefore it does not come under the heading Legislation, but rather under the heading Other.
Include all the information from the footnote minus the pinpoint and the full stop.
Therefore if the footnote is:
Department of Home Affairs (Cth), Procedures Advice manual 3: Refugee and Humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines (27 February 2021) [3.3.2].
Then the bibliography is:
Department of Home Affairs (Cth), Procedures Advice manual 3: Refugee and Humanitarian - Complementary Protection Guidelines (27 February 2021)
AGLC4 rule 1.12. Note that the rule is a suggestion only.
Use the paragraph number if there is one. But, if there isn't a paragraph number to use for a pinpoint, then use the title of the paragraph as the pinpoint. E.g. ('Content of Notification')