Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Goal 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

RMIT University is committed to advancing health and wellbeing through comprehensive initiatives that promote health, wellness, and safety within its community.

RMIT contributes to improving health and wellbeing through education, research, partnerships and programs that support healthier individuals, communities and environments.

The University undertakes applied research that addresses pressing health challenges, advances medical innovation and improves understanding of issues ranging from mental health and disease prevention to healthy and sustainable cities. 

Across its campuses, RMIT promotes physical, mental and social wellbeing through inclusive student and staff support services, health-focused learning experiences and community engagement initiatives. 

Through collaboration with healthcare providers, industry, government and community organisations, RMIT helps translate research and knowledge into practical solutions that improve health outcomes and quality of life in Australia, Vietnam and beyond.

Highlights of recent SDG 3 aligned activity are included below, with more information available in our 2025 Sustainability Annual Report (PDF 13 MB), with our 11 years of reporting progress outlined the Sustainability Annual Report webpage.

Broader sustainability contributions are also highlighted in our organisational Annual Report, which are tabled in the Victorian Parliament.

2025 Case Studies

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RMIT researchers are helping improve outcomes for women with ovarian cancer through internationally significant medical research. 

In 2025, RMIT co-led the SOLACE2 clinical trial, which developed a promising blood test that may help identify which patients will benefit most from PARP inhibitor therapy. 

Led in part by Distinguished Professor Magdalena Plebanski and Dr April Kartikasari, the research aims to support more targeted and effective treatment approaches for women worldwide. 

Conducted in collaboration with leading hospitals and research organisations across Australia, the project demonstrates how RMIT is translating scientific discoveries into practical health innovations with the potential to improve patient care and survival outcomes.

RMIT's student-led health clinics provide essential healthcare services while giving students real-world clinical experience. 

In 2025, the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences delivered more than 8,000 consultations across metropolitan and regional locations including Melbourne CBD and Bundoora. 

The clinics support communities that may otherwise face barriers accessing healthcare, while enabling students in allied health and psychology disciplines to apply their learning in professional settings. 

By combining education with service delivery, RMIT helps strengthen future health workforces and improve wellbeing outcomes within the communities it serves.

RMIT researchers were recognised with a Nobel Sustainability Award in 2025 for their contribution to the Global Observatory of Healthy and Sustainable Cities (GOHSC), an international initiative that measures and promotes healthier urban environments. 

The project provides open-access indicators that help cities assess factors such as walkability, access to public transport, public space and healthy environments. 

By generating evidence that supports healthier and more sustainable urban planning, the initiative helps governments and communities make decisions that improve public health and quality of life. 

The GOHSC network now connects hundreds of researchers and practitioners across cities worldwide.

2024 Case Studies

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The Children’s Sensorium is a creative research project led by RMIT Professor Grace McQuilten, aimed at strengthening children’s emotional resilience and wellbeing through sensory art installations and mindfulness practices. This initiative addresses the crisis in children’s wellbeing exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns, using strategies like mindfulness, play, and emotional intelligence to create interactive exhibitions.

Collaborating with Boon Wurrung elder N’Arwee’t Carolyn Briggs, the project incorporated multisensory engagement, connecting children to Country. 

Two exhibitions have been showcased in Melbourne and Castlemaine, featuring public programs with activities and workshops focused on post-pandemic wellbeing.

In 2024, a Wellbeing Garden was launched at Flemington Primary School, inspired by the Sensorium, to engage students, particularly neurodivergent ones, with nature. 

Future plans include expanding to Hamilton Regional Gallery and other locations, tailoring exhibitions to each community's unique needs. This project highlights the arts' role in promoting health and wellbeing among children.

The Biomedical and Health Innovation EIP at RMIT focuses on advancing health solutions through interdisciplinary research and collaboration. 

This platform aims to transform health outcomes by integrating expertise from biomedical sciences, engineering, data analytics, and social sciences. By fostering partnerships with industry, healthcare providers, and government agencies, the EIP addresses pressing health challenges and drives innovation in medical technology, diagnostics, and therapeutic approaches.

The platform's impact is evident in its development of cutting-edge solutions that improve patient care, enhance disease prevention strategies, and contribute to personalized medicine. 

Through its collaborative approach, the Biomedical and Health Innovation EIP not only advances scientific knowledge but also supports the implementation of practical health solutions that benefit communities locally and globally.

In 2024, RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP) unveiled a new identity and state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance international education and support student health and wellbeing. Formerly known as RMIT Training, RMIT UP transitioned to its new name in August with the opening of the bespoke building at Scape Franklin, Melbourne.

The nine-floor facility, developed in partnership with Scape, features modern teaching spaces, student support areas, and a language testing centre. Designed by RMIT Hassell Architects, the building includes over 50 teaching spaces equipped with the latest technology and specialist facilities for art, design, business, and sciences.

To promote health and wellbeing, RMIT UP offers dedicated counselling spaces, academic support rooms, a student lounge, and a parent room. The facility also includes storage for bikes and scooters with end-of-trip amenities, encouraging healthy and cost-effective transport options. 

This investment showcases RMIT's commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment.

SDG Alignment Mapping Overview

As reported in the 2025 Sustainability Annual Report, there were 235 course units and 201 research projects aligned with SDG 6 in 2025, representing a wide range of health and wellbeing related topics. 

Other SDG alignment insights are captured in the data below.

235 Course Units

201 Research Projects

26 International Research Partnerships

362 Publications

  RMIT Global Average
Publications in Top 25% Journal Percentiles by SIR (%) 84.9 57.8
Citations per Publication 4.4 2.3
Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) 2.0 44%
National Contribution (%) 2.0% N/A
International Collaboration  60.8 22.7
Developing Country Collaboration (%) 44% N/A
Low to Lower-Middle Income Country Collaboration (%) 20% N/A

Research Projects and Initiatives Over the Years

The following research projects have been specifically aligned to Sustainable Development Goal 3 and the aim to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. These projects and initiatives are examples of the University’s contribution to the SDGs over the years.

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Australian Urban Observatory

The Australian Urban Observatory (AUO) is a new digital liveability planning tool, developed by our team from RMIT’s Centre for Urban Research, which has been specifically designed to support decision makers prioritise actions to promote health and wellbeing in their communities.

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Improved Urban Systems for Liveability

This project investigates how major cities function and the effects of their land-use, housing and infrastructure systems on the humans that live in them.

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Aquatic Pollution Prevention Partnership

The aims of this research partnership between Melbourne Water and RMIT University is to help prevent aquatic pollution.

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Engineering solutions for informal settlements in Honiara, Solomon Islands

Based on technical site visits and self-identified community needs, RMIT University engineers from different disciplines are designing solutions to mitigate water, sanitation, drainage, waste, and flood risks in five highly vulnerable settlements in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

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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