2026 Research important dates

2026 key academic dates and deadlines for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidates.

You are required to enrol into both coursework and research courses during your candidature. Census dates for coursework are based on the class start and end date and are not published here. You can find your coursework census dates listed in Enrolment Online.

Date	Event or deadline
25 December 2025 - 1 January 2026	RMIT University closed
1 January	New Year's Day public holiday (Thursday)
2 January	RMIT University reopens (Friday)
26 January	Australia Day public holiday (Monday)

Research quarter 1

Date	Event or deadline
1 Feburary	Classes begin
9 March	Labour Day public holiday (Monday)
31 March	Research quarter 1 census date
3 April	Good Friday public holiday
6 April	Easter Monday public holiday
7 April	Easter Tuesday RMIT holiday
25 April	Anzac Day public holiday (Saturday)
30 April	Classes end

Research quarter 2

Date	Event or deadline
1 May	Classes begin
8 June	King's Birthday public holiday (Monday)
30 June	Research quarter 2 census date
31 July	Classes end

Research quarter 3

Date	Event or deadline
1 August	Classes begin
25 September	AFL Grand Final public holiday (Friday) (TBC)
30 September	Research quarter 3 census date
23 October	Last day to apply to graduate and confirm attendance at the 2026 Melbourne Graduation Ceremony
31 October	Classes end

Research quarter 4

Date	Event or deadline
1 November	Classes begin
3 November	Melbourne Cup Day public holiday (Tuesday)
16 December	Melbourne Graduation Parade and Ceremony (Wednesday)
25 December - 1 January 2027	RMIT closed
25 December	Christmas Day public holiday (Friday)
26 December	Boxing Day public holiday (Saturday)
27 December	Boxing Day public holiday – Observed (Monday)
31 December	Research quarter 4 census date
1 January 2027	New Year’s Day (Friday)
4 January	RMIT University reopens (Monday)
31 January	Classes end

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.

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