How to apply for a refund as a domestic or continuing international student.
Please note, information on this page is for local (domestic) students and continuing international students. If you are an international student who has not accepted your offer or cancelled your first semester before the relevant census date, you are considered a commencing international student. Please refer to refund guidelines for commencing students.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a refund, you must have a credit balance in your RMIT student account. A credit balance results when the total sum of payments exceeds the total fees for a specific term.
If you make changes to your enrolment before the census date, this may reduce your fees for that term which may result in a credit balance. These changes include:
- reducing your study load, e.g., from full-time to part-time
- withdrawing from your program, or
- taking an approved leave of absence.
Changes to enrolment made after census date will not result in a credit balance.
Important: If you are an international student, it is a condition of holding a student visa that you must complete your program within its expected duration, which is the end date of your current Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by RMIT.
To complete your program within the expected duration, you should remain enrolled in a full-time study load throughout your program.
For more information, see the Enrolment load requirements for study visa holders.
Check your account balance
To check your account balance:
- Log in to Enrolment Online with your RMIT email address and password. Forgotten your password? Reset it.
- Select Finances
- View Finance Summary
If the balance shows a negative amount (e.g.-$220.00), it means you have a credit balance. If the balance shows a positive amount (e.g. $220.00), it indicates a due fee or charge.
Overpayments will be assessed case-by-case and may not be refundable based on RMIT's refund policy.
Exclusions
This refund information does not apply to the student types and reasons listed below. To avoid delays, please use the correct application form and follow the relevant instructions.
| Student type | Refund instructions |
| Commencing international students | Refer to Refunds for commencing or newly enrolled international students |
| Students studying English at RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP) | Apply via Refund and transfer of fees for EAP students |
| Students whose enrolment was cancelled due to debt | Apply via Apply for a refund due to University cancellation of enrolment |
| Students seeking a graduation fee refund | Apply via Graduation refund application |
| Students requesting a printer credit refund | Lodge an enquiry via Student Connect. Refunds are only available for student-paid credit. No refund is provided for unused school-allocated print credit |
Refund procedure
All refund applications are assessed based on the Approved schedule of fees and charges.
RMIT will process refunds using the same payment method as the original payment. Where the payment was via a credit card, the funds will be returned to the same credit card used for the original payment.
Refunds for payments not made by bank card—such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or BPAY—will be deposited into your nominated bank account. Active students with access to Enrolment Online must add their nominated bank details in Enrolment Online for the refund to be processed.
For more information, see the Refund of fees procedure.
How to apply for a refund
Before you apply
Before you apply, please ensure you:
- Have a photo or scan of your ID such as student card, driver’s license, passport or Key Pass so we can verify your identity (please note, only JPG, PNG, and PDF file formats are supported)
- Ensure your bank details are updated before submitting your refund application. RMIT cannot process your refund request until your bank details have been successfully entered. If your student account is still active, you must update your bank details in Enrolment Online. This applies to payments made via BPAY or bank transfer. To update your bank details:
- Log in to Enrolment Online
- Select Finances
- Select Invoices & Payments
- Select Bank Accounts, and update your details as required.
How to apply
If you are one of the following, please complete the Application for Refund Form.
- Australian citizens
- New Zealand citizens
- A holder of a Permanent Residence visa
- A holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa
- A Holder of a Temporary Resident Visa
- A student who holds a bridging visa or a temporary visa other than an international student visa
- An international student in the first semester of a current program whose results have been officially released
- Leave of Absence has been granted
- RMIT Online students
Processing times
Correct and complete applications for refund will be processed within 20 working days.
Please note that refunds to an overseas bank account may take up to six weeks to be received.
Refunds to an overseas bank account
RMIT has engaged Convera as its authorised payment provider to facilitate the processing of international student tuition fee refunds.
If you would like your credit balance to be refunded to an overseas bank account, follow the steps below:
| Step | Details |
| 1. Complete the Application for Refund Form | Find the form under the 'How to apply for a refund' tab. |
| 2. RMIT assesses your refund request | Assessment takes up to 20 working days. You’ll be notified to watch for an email from Convera once complete. |
| 3. Enter your bank details via Convera | Click the link in the Convera email to access their website and securely enter your bank details. Please ensure that you enter the bank account holder name in the Payee details section.
|
| 4. RMIT continues processing | You’ll receive an email once your refund is approved. |
| 5. Convera transfers the refund | Funds will be deposited into your nominated overseas bank account within 6 weeks of approval. |
Important: It is your responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the bank account details you provide. Incorrect information may delay or prevent your refund from being processed.
Please be aware that RMIT is not liable for any fluctuations in foreign exchange rates or fees charged by banks.
What if I cannot find the Convera email?
Please check your spam or junk folder first. You can also try searching your inbox using the keyword ‘Convera’.
If you still cannot find the email, please contact Student Connect for further assistance.
What if I have questions about my bank details?
On the Convera website, you can use the 'Search by Bank Details' feature by entering your SWIFT code to locate your bank’s information. Depending on your bank’s requirements, a routing code may also be necessary.
If you're unsure about your SWIFT code, routing code, or any other banking details, please contact your bank directly for assistance.
If you have any questions related to entering your bank account information on the link provided, contact Convera.
What option should I choose for the ‘Payment purpose’ field?
The ‘Payment Purpose’ field may vary depending on your country of residence. Please select the option that most accurately reflects the reason for your refund.
How do I track the payment?
Once your refund is approved by RMIT, you will receive an “Approved” email along with a reference number (e.g., EAUXXXXX-AVXXXXX). This indicates that RMIT has authorised Convera to process the refund to your nominated overseas bank account.
You can track the refund using the Convera payment and refund tracking tool. Please have your refund reference number ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are currently enrolled, you can view any available credit balance in Enrolment Online. Select Finances. Select Finance Summary.
If the balance shows a negative number, it means you have a credit.
If the balance shows a positive number, it indicates upcoming fees.
The refund amount will be determined in accordance with the refund policy. You will be notified of the final amount once your application has been processed by the refund team.
If you no longer have access to your student account, please contact Student Connect to check your credit balance.
Students who reduce their study load without formal college approval via an Application to Reduce Enrolment Load Form will not be eligible for a refund. Student visa holders can only reduce their enrolment load (study part-time) on grounds of compassionate and compelling circumstances.
If an international student who has paid an acceptance deposit reduces their study load in the first semester of their program, they will not be eligible for a refund of the difference between the tuition fees they prepaid for that semester and the tuition fees charged. Instead, the difference will appear as a credit in their student account and be automatically applied to future semester tuition fee charges.
If you have paid OSHC through RMIT and you are refused a visa in a country outside of Australia, RMIT will arrange your OSHC refund on your behalf. Otherwise, you will need to contact Medibank directly to arrange a refund of your OSHC.
For more details, please email oshc@medibank.com.au
RMIT will process refunds using the same payment method as the original payment. Where the payment was via a credit card, the funds will be returned to the same credit card used for the original payment.
Refunds for payments not made by bank card—such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or BPAY—will be deposited into your nominated bank account. Active students with access to Enrolment Online must add their nominated bank details in Enrolment Online for the refund to be processed.
RMIT will process refunds using the same payment method as the original payment. Where the payment was via a credit card within the previous 12 months, the funds will be returned to the same credit card used for the original payment regardless of whether the card is still active.
If your card is no longer active, please contact your bank for further details.
Material fee refunds must first be approved by your School. Please submit an enquiry via Student Connect to have your request assessed by your School. If material fees are reversed, the excess payment may still apply to any other overdue fees, for example tuition or the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
Once your refund has been processed you will receive a confirmation email. If you are an active student, you will also receive an updated tax invoice within 24 to 48 hours of the refund being processed.
If your application for refund is submitted after 12 months of payment, your unclaimed money may go to the State Revenue Office Victoria. In this case, you will have to contact the State Revenue Office directly to find out if you can claim your money back.
If you have been granted a scholarship for your tuition but have already paid your fees, you can apply for a refund of the amount owing to you. However, your application cannot be assessed prior to the relevant census date. Scholarship payments are not refundable. Payments made to RMIT will be assessed based on the refund policy.
A local student who failed courses or who had to withdraw from their program after census because of special circumstances may be eligible to apply for a refund of HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debt. Remission of debt is only available to a student whose HELP loan is approved or has paid an up-front payment of a student contribution for a course.
To be considered for a refund of HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP or VET Student Loan debt, you will need to demonstrate compassionate and compelling circumstances that were unexpected or beyond your control and provide supporting documentation.
If you are an international student who has to withdraw from your program after census day due to compassionate and compelling circumstances, please contact Student Connect to discuss your options.
Please check your spam or junk folder first. You can also try searching your inbox using the keyword ‘Convera’.
If you still cannot find the email, please contact Student Connect for further assistance.
On the Convera website, you can use the Search by Bank Details feature by entering your SWIFT code to locate your bank information. Depending on your bank’s requirements, a routing code may also be necessary.
If you're unsure about your SWIFT code, routing code, or any other banking details, please contact your bank directly for assistance.
If you have any questions related to entering your bank account information on the link provided, contact Convera.
The ‘Payment Purpose’ field may vary depending on your country of residence. Please select the option that most accurately reflects the reason for your refund.
Once your refund is approved by RMIT, you will receive an “Approved” email along with a reference number (e.g., EAUXXXXX-AVXXXXX). This indicates that RMIT has authorised Convera to process the refund to your nominated overseas bank account.
You can track the refund using the Convera payment and refund tracking tool. Please have your refund reference number ready.
Need help?
If you have questions about fee refunds or need assistance, contact Student Connect.
