What is census date?

The census date is your key enrolment, HELP loan and VET Student Loan deadline. Every class has its own census date.

Census date is important, because if you miss the census date you might have to pay for study that you don’t want or need to do. 

When is my census date?

To see your census dates:

  • Log in to Enrolment Online.
  • Click Enrol.
  • Select your semester and choose the Continue button.

You’ll now see the census date listed for each class you’re enrolled in for that semester or study period.

You can also find census dates listed in your important dates.

ELICOS students: Contact RMIT English Worldwide (REW) for information about your census dates.

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What do I need to do by census date?

Select your cohort from the tabs below to find out what you must do by census date, and the penalties if you miss it.

Higher education and Associate degree – actions to complete by census

Action Census date deadline Penalty (if not done by the deadline)
Change or drop a course – if eligible, you can do this online 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any courses you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending them
Apply for credit 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any courses you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending them
Apply for leave of absence – if eligible, you can apply online 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any study you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending classes
Cancel your program enrolment – if eligible, you can do this online 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any study you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending classes*
Finalise your HECS-HELP loan (if eligible) by providing your tax file number (TFN)

11.59pm on census date via the government’s eCAF portal

Note: you need to contact Student Connect at least 2 business days before the census date, so your eCAF can be revised for you to add your TFN

Your enrolment will be cancelled for the semester (unless you have paid your student contribution in full by the census date – see below)

Pay your student contribution in full (students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place)

You need to do this if you're not eligible to defer your fees to HECS-HELP or you do not have an approved HECS-HELP loan

11.59pm on census date Your enrolment will be cancelled for the semester
Apply for FEE-HELP 11.59pm on census date via the government’s eCAF portal You'll need to pay your tuition fees up-front and in full
Apply for SA-HELP 11.59pm on census date via the government’s eCAF portal You'll need to pay SSAF

*If you're a commencing international student and have enrolled in the first semester of a program, financial penalties may apply for cancelling your enrolment before or after the census date. Refer to Refunds for international students.

Vocational education – actions to complete by census 

Action Census date deadline Penalty (if not done by the deadline)
Change or drop a course – if eligible, you can do this online 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any courses you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending them
Apply for credit/recognition of prior learning (RPL) 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any courses you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending them
Apply for leave of absence – if eligible, you can do this online 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any study you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending classes
Cancel your program enrolment – if eligible, you can do this online 11.59pm on census date You’ll have to pay for any study you’re enrolled in, even if you’re no longer attending classes*
Apply for a VET Student Loan – if eligible, apply online to defer your tuition fees 11.59pm on census date via the government’s eCAF portal.  You’ll have to pay your tuition fees up-front and in full without access to a VET Student Loan.

*If you're a commencing international student and have enrolled in the first semester of a program, financial penalties may apply for cancelling your enrolment before or after the census date. Refer to Refunds for international students.

Contacts and help

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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 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.