Planning is a profession that now focuses on more sustainable development. As an urban and regional planner, you will be seeking a balance between environmental, social and economic development.

Planners work in the public and private sector. As a planner working for the state government, you will be dealing with the major planning issues of our time. These include:

better managing car-dependent societies;
planning affordable housing and services for rapidly-growing Australian cities;

revitalising regional and rural economies;

combatting sea-level rises and drier climatic conditions.

A planner at local government develops local plans to implement state government policies. For example, they may be asked to:

negotiate with a property developer regarding a proposal for a medium-density housing development whilst preserving an historic hotel;
develop a plan to attract new small businesses to a declining shopping strip;

work with a landscape architect on a proposal for a riverbank public park.

A planner working for a private consultant deals with government departments, developers and private clients. They may be asked to:

prepare population forecasts for rural municipalities;
recommend the best location for health care facilities for new, large, private housing developments;

act as spokesperson against the extension of a major shopping centre.

First year involves 13–16 contact hours per week spread across four weekdays.

First-year courses will give you a strong social science background to planning studies. Subsequent year courses introduce you to a range of planning topics covering most aspects of professional practice. There is a balance of project and academic work. If you perform well you’ll have the opportunity to undertake honours where there is a greater emphasis on research work.

In second year, there are opportunities to study overseas for a semester. Students can go to Canada, England, Finland, The Netherlands, and The Philippines.

Work experience

A formal work placement of 60 days is undertaken in fourth year. You’ll be found secure paid work at a variety of planning organisations spanning the public and private sectors. The types of work include strategic planning, statutory planning and social planning.

Duration

Four years full-time

Pathways

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career prospects

Planning graduates readily secure jobs. Sixty per cent of graduates start in local government. Others start work with Victorian government departments, and with private sector planning and design consultancies. Other employers of planners include major development and retailing companies. Graduates can also build careers in areas such as urban design, community health and welfare, housing, and transport planning. Many RMIT planners work overseas.

Professional recognition

The RMIT planning degree is recognised by the Planning Institute of Australia. RMIT students are eligible to take out student membership.

Entrance requirements

Current Year 12 prerequisite units 3 & 4—English (any).

Non-Year 12 applicants are encouraged to apply and should either be currently employed in industry or have evidence of experience and/or ability to meet the demands of the program.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information.

Application procedures

Semester one

Full-time applicants—VTAC application
Note: All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

VTAC application
Applicants must apply through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are advised to check detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures and closing dates. Applicants must meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed throughVTAC.

Application closing date: Late September
Further information:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street, South Melbourne
Tel. 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au
Note: RMIT program codes listed on this page should not be used when applying through VTAC.

Extra requirements

Selection mode current Year 12: ENTER and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%.

Middle-band: Consideration may be given to the SEAS application and Supplementary Information Form.

Selection mode non-Year 12: Form, interview, GPA .

RMIT University may use the applicant’s Grade Point Average as an initial ranking device for those applicants with post-secondary study. Other factors, including work experience, previous Year 12 results, and/or any other academic results may also be taken into consideration. See Extra requirements for specifics

Selection procedures (Semester 1)

Non-Year 12: Applicants must obtain an Environment Supplementary Information Form available from the web (www.rmit.edu.au/programs/applications/forms/vtacsupp/).

Interview (short-listed applicants only): Details will be provided to the applicants required to attend.

Please refer to the current VTAC Guide for more information.

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information.

Fees

Detailed information regarding fees for degree and TAFE programs, including for Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), State Government Subsidised Place (SGSP) and Fee Paying Place (FPP), can be found by clicking on the link below.

Scholarships

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information.

Additional expenses

Estimated material expenses for a year are between $400 and $500, the main components of which are camps and excursions, photocopying, textbooks and the purchase of printed notes.

Program structure

The following program structure(s) are linked to this program.

Contact details

Associate Professor John Jackson, program coordinator
School of Global Studies, Social Science and Planning
Building 8, Level 7, Room 9
City campus
Tel. +61 3 9925 3437
Email: john.t.jackson@rmit.edu.au

Download this information as a PDF brochure (Requires Acrobat Reader)

Owning school

Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.