COVID-19 support and assistance

RMIT support services

If you are an RMIT student experiencing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), you may be eligible for the following assistance and support services.
 

Emergency food and living cost relief

Students in financial hardship can seek limited emergency monetary relief to cover the cost of food and living expenses. To access emergency monetary relief, please book a telephone appointment with a Student Support Advisor to discuss your financial circumstances.

RMIT Chaplaincy is also providing free fresh and frozen meals to RMIT students. See Government support resources for other emergency food and essential support.
 

RMIT Emergency Housing and Housing Establishment Fund

Short term emergency accommodation can be assessed in crisis situations. Please contact a Student Support Advisor to discuss eligibility. Students needing to move into new accommodation who require assistance with bond and start up rent may be eligible for the Housing Establishment Fund. Please speak to a Student Support Advisor to discuss eligibility and how to apply.

Government rent and housing assistance is also available (see below).
 

Discounted homestay accommodation for eligible international students

RMIT's partner for homestay services, AHN, has launched the International Student Support Network (ISSN) for international students experiencing financial hardship during COVID-19. ISSN homestays offer a heavily discounted placement and include a private room, meals, utilities and support from one AHN’s committed host families.

Please speak to one of our Student Support Advisors to discuss if you are eligible or apply here.
 

General RMIT support services

Find information about RMIT's full range of student support services.

Find information about health and wellbeing support options, advice and resources for students impacted by COVID-19.

Students seeking RMIT support services that do not relate to COVID-19 can book an online appointment with a Student Support Advisor for a more detailed discussion relating to their personal circumstances.

Government support resources

Government financial support relating to COVID-19 is also available. Before applying for assistance from RMIT, check if there are Government financial support options available to you:

• Ask Izzy Community Services – connects you with emergency material aid including food, housing and crisis support in your postcode area
• Darebin Council (located near Bundoora Campus) is providing support to international students, including ready-made meals
• City of Melbourne's dedicated International students page links to support, including free food vouchers and community events 
• Study Melbourne Student Centre support for international students
• Victorian Government emergency relief packages – for those in Victoria who are self-isolating and unable to access food and essential supplies
• Victorian Government Rent Relief Grant
• Victorian Government support for Victorian workers
• Students may be able to get financial help from Centrelink. If you already get a Centrelink student payment, you may also be eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement.
• Australian Government support for individuals and households
• Australian Government information and services, including coronavirus supplement
• Australian Government students and trainees information, and one-off support payment
• You can pause your myki pass if you're not using it
• Moneysmart provides general advice on making good financial decisions during COVID-19, including accessing superannuation, and contacting utility providers

Relief Funds

Applications for the Domestic Student COVID-19 Relief Fund and the Victorian Government International Student Emergency Relief Fund have now closed. If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be eligible for RMIT or government support. See above for more information.

If you applied for a Relief Fund, you will receive a notification of the outcome of your application soon. To be eligible for a grant, you must:

• be experiencing unexpected financial hardship as a result of COVID-19
• have been employed in Victoria in March 2020 and have faced financial hardship through lost wages or income due to COVID-19
• be a domestic or international student enrolled to study or on a leave of absence at an RMIT Australian campus on 16 March 2020, be enrolled or on a leave of absence at the time of application and continuing study beyond 30 June 2020 in VCE, Foundation Studies, Vocational Education or Higher Education (including Higher Degree by Research) programs
• be a resident of Victoria, Australia
• be studying onshore in Australia
• supply legible and current supporting documents