Our strategy

Our strategy

Knowledge with Action – generating positive impact together.

Our strategy to 2031 sets out RMIT's ambitions for accessible lifelong education, impactful research and innovation, and an inclusive, sustainable future. It guides how we use our knowledge, skills and capabilities to make a difference in the world.

We aim to lead in four key areas:  

  • Emerging technologies 
  • Smart and sustainable cities 
  • Social innovation  
  • Regional collaboration.

Directions and goals

Our strategy is built around three connected directions that reflect RMIT’s mission as a dual-sector university and our role in the community. 

Together they link learning and teaching, research and innovation, and civic engagement.

Direction 1: Learning through life and work

Goal: Build a coherent, connected lifelong learning system. Goal: An inclusive and high-performing workplace.

Direction 2: Research and innovation for impact

Goal: Extend RMIT’s dynamic research and innovation system.

Direction 3: Serving our communities

Goal: Grow civic partnership at scale. Goal: Be a leading university of impact in the Asia Pacific.

Focus for Horizon 2 (2026 to 2028)

Knowledge with Action is a nine-year strategy delivered in three-year horizons so we can adapt and respond to new opportunities and challenges.

In our second horizon (2026–2028), RMIT will be bolder in how we shape the future of tertiary education and research.

We will focus on four connected themes:

Participation

Innovative learning models, and qualifications that can be attained while working, will make education and career opportunities more accessible.

Partnership

Partnerships with industry, government and community are in RMIT’s DNA. We will deepen integration across RMIT.

Place

We will leverage our places to drive innovation, skills, economic development, partnerships and local responses connected to global networks.

People

We will invest in supporting, enabling and empowering our people, who are central to RMIT’s success and community impact.

Signature initiatives

From 2026, RMIT will begin working on nine Signature initiatives that bring our strategy to life across education, research and civic engagement. 

These multi-year initiatives are designed to amplify our impact and create lasting change.

  • AI-ready graduates – preparing our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 
  • Harnessing the power of AI – elevating our work across education, research and operations. 
  • Student experience tapestry – supporting every learner to thrive through equitable access and lifelong learning. 
  • Research infrastructure excellence and impact – building a world class environment for research impact, growth and translation.
  • International industry and innovation hubs – strengthening regional innovation, skills development and engagement.
  • Advancement – future focus – building a sustainable platform for major public fundraising and future growth.
  • City North Social Innovation Precinct – delivering greater civic, educational and economic value by enhancing skills, industry innovation and shared spaces.
  • Bundoora Health and Wellbeing Precinct – building local partnerships and leveraging our strengths across vocational and higher education.
  • Regenerative futures – building a connected community of regenerative leaders, thinkers and practitioners.
Person in a white shirt and apron working in an industrial workshop surrounded by equipment and shelves.

Knowledge with Action: Working together to deliver Horizon 2

Download the strategy (PDF 5 MB)

Education Plan to 2028

RMIT's Education Plan operationalises Horizon 2 of Direction 1: Learning through life and work. 

Across six action areas, it outlines how we will support our learners to achieve their aspirations, embrace technological change and opportunity across the world and in the workforce, and navigate their life and career.

Read RMIT’s Education Plan to 2028 (PDF 14 MB)

RMIT's Decadal Aspirations – Enabling research and innovation for impact

The Decadal Aspirations support the delivery of Direction 2: Research and Innovation for Impact. The document outlines nine aspirations with recommendations to strengthen how RMIT and our partners create value through knowledge exchange and research translation.

Read the Decadal Aspirations (PDF 2 MB)

Living Places Plan

The Living Places Plan determines how RMIT makes decisions about property and place.

The Living Places Plan is the foundation for RMIT’s Property Plan and Capital Development programs, while also helping to support and prioritise precinct activation initiatives, programming and partnerships that bring new life and enhance learning and research opportunities for RMIT.

Read the Living Places Plan (PDF 17.7 MB)
  • AI-ready graduates – preparing our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. 
  • Harnessing the power of AI – elevating our work across education, research and operations. 
  • Student experience tapestry – supporting every learner to thrive through equitable access and lifelong learning. 
  • Research infrastructure and excellence – building a world class environment for research impact, growth and translation.
  • International industry and innovation hubs – strengthening regional innovation, skills development and engagement.
  • Advancement – future focus – building a sustainable platform for major public fundraising and future growth.
  • City North Social Innovation Precinct – delivering greater civic, educational and economic value by enhancing skills, industry innovation and shared spaces.
  • Bundoora Health and Wellbeing Precinct – building local partnerships and leveraging our strengths across vocational and higher education.
  • Regenerative futures – building a connected community of regenerative leaders, thinkers and practitioners.

News and events

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Turning access into success: Australia's challenge in joining Horizon Europe

Australia's association to Horizon Europe Pillar 2 from January 2027 marks a significant milestone for research and innovation in this country writes RMIT Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond AO, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President.

Caption: Jim O’Shea, Cherkera Austin and Nikole Austin Organisation: Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) Photo taken by: Amanda Pejoski, RMIT University

New community-informed resources support fairer employment pathways for First Nations people

RMIT University has partnered with First Nations community members and organisations to launch Rethinking Criminal Record Checks (RCRC), a new suite of resources that aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with criminal records navigate record checks and employment pathways.

Completing Australia’s anti-scam architecture in partnership with Good Shepherd event launch

The gap in Australia’s anti-scam architecture

Australia's national response to scams has strengthened in recent years through government-led anti-scam measures. Yet losses remain above $2 billion, and scams continue to have a significant and devastating impact on individuals, particularly those in vulnerable communities. In a new white paper, RMIT professor Mathews Nkhoma has identified the critical gap in anti-scam architecture before funds have been irreversibly transferred. 

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RMIT wins big at Australian Aviation Awards

The RMIT Aviation Academy took home two awards, recognising excellence in flight training and education.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

Learn more about our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples