Under 18 students

There are lots of children and young people in the RMIT community and RMIT works to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Children and young people at RMIT

There are lots of children and young people in the RMIT community. Some are students, while others are on campus for other reasons – for example, attending RMIT childcare services, taking part in research, or visiting the University.

All of these children and young people are welcome. They bring unique points of view, strengths and ideas which add value to RMIT. And they deserve to feel safe and protected at all times.

If you are a child or young person, this page explains how RMIT works to ensure the University is a safe and welcoming environment for you.

Your rights

Like adults, children and young people have rights, like the right to protection from harm, the right to be cared for and have a home, and the right to have a say in decisions which affect them.

As a child or young person, you have the right to:

be treated fairly no matter what
have a say about decisions affecting you
live and grow up healthy
have people do what is best for you
know who you are and where you come from
believe what you want

privacy
find out information and express yourself
be safe no matter where you are
be cared for and have a home
education, play and cultural activities
help and protection if you need it.

RMIT supports these rights and has policies and procedures in place to make sure your rights are protected.

If you need help or support

If you are worried about yourself or someone else, we encourage you to contact us. We will listen to you and take what you tell us seriously.

For more information on general support services available to all students at RMIT, go to Support and services.

Discussing student information with parents/legal guardians

Students and parents/legal guardians/caregivers are advised that, ordinarily, RMIT University will not discuss any administrative matters that pertain to domestic students aged 16+ or international students aged 18+ with anyone apart from the student themselves.

If contacted by a parent/legal guardian/caregiver of a domestic student aged under 16 or an international student aged under 18, RMIT may share information relating to the student's course, attendance or welfare, and information to assist the legislative requirements attendant to a student visa. This information is shared at RMIT’s discretion.

Please note, information will only be shared with the parent/legal guardian/caregiver if they contact RMIT University directly; RMIT will not send emails, invoices or other communications to parents/legal guardians/caregivers. As stated in the Statement of Student Responsibilities, RMIT will send communications to the student's RMIT student email, personal email, mailing address or phone. It is the student’s responsibility to regularly check and read all University messages.

If a domestic student aged 16+, or an international student aged 18+, wants to grant a parent/legal guardian/other third party individual authority to discuss select administrative matters with RMIT, they must apply for a Third Party Consent Arrangement.

If you have questions or would like more information, submit an Under 18 Support Enquiry.

Share your views

Your voice is important. We want to hear about what it means for you to feel safe and empowered as a young person at RMIT. Use the Child Safety at RMIT Feedback Form (Microsoft Form) to tell us what you think.

Policies and documents

Under 18 international students

If you’re an international student under 18 years of age and intending to study on a student visa, you need to meet accommodation and welfare requirements as part of your visa. For more information on welfare requirements, approved accommodation providers, caregivers and more, click the link below.

International students under 18 years of age

Forms for under 18 international students

Welfare Approval Form – Must be provided to RMIT to nominate where you will be staying and who your caregiver or guardian will be while you are in Australia
Temporary Welfare Waive Form – Onshore – Allows a student currently in Australia to remain with a parent and/or relative, instead of approved long-term accommodation for a set period
Temporary Welfare Waive Form – Offshore pre-arrival – Allows a student currently outside Australia to remain with a visiting parent(s) instead of approved long-term accommodation for a set period when they arrive in Australia
Change of Accommodation Request Form – Must be provided to RMIT to nominate a change in approved accommodation
Offshore Absence Request Form – Must be provided to RMIT to request to leave Australia during semester breaks to visit to your home country or go on holiday
Curfew Extension Request Form – Use this form to apply for an extension to your curfew, up to 1am.

Please note, the above requests are subject to RMIT approval.

Contacts for students aged under 18

General support

Contact our Student Welfare Advisors

Online: Submit an Under 18 Support Enquiry

Phone: +61 3 9925 1123 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri, excluding public holidays)

If you are worried about yourself or someone else

Contact our Child Safe Advisor

Email: safercommunity@rmit.edu.au

Phone: +61 3 9925 2396 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri, excluding public holidays)

Online: Support Request Form

Emergency and crisis support

Details for all-hours urgent support.

Support & services

Make the most of RMIT with our support services. Achieve your study goals, stay happy and healthy, and know there is support and assistance when you need it.

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Student life

There's more to life at RMIT than just the classroom. Connect with other students and make the most of RMIT with clubs, events and opportunities for every interest.

Accommodation

If you're joining RMIT from interstate or overseas, or leaving home for the first time, we can help you find accommodation that suits your needs.

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 Indigenous cultures

Under 18 students