RMIT is pleased to welcome asylum seekers to study vocational and degree level courses.
Many students from a refugee background have completed RMIT studies and gone on to successful careers in a range of industries and organisations. RMIT is proud to support these students on their education and career journeys.
Apply to study
How to apply to RMIT
The application process depends on the applicant type and the type of study:
Current year 12 students
| Study type | Current year 12 students |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degrees (e.g. bachelors and associate degrees) | You are currently undertaking an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) must apply for bachelor and associate degree courses via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) |
| Honours degree, postgraduate coursework (e.g. master’s, graduate diploma) | Not applicable |
| Vocational education courses (e.g. certificate, diploma, advanced diploma) | direct to RMIT for all vocational education courses. |
Non-year 12 applicants
| Study type | Non-year 12 applicants |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degrees (e.g. bachelors and associate degrees) | You are not currently studying an Australian Year 12 can apply direct to RMIT. |
| Honours degree, postgraduate coursework (e.g. master’s, graduate diploma) | You are not currently studying Year 12 can apply direct to RMIT for 1- year honours and postgraduate courses. |
| Vocational education courses (e.g. certificate, diploma, advanced diploma) | direct to RMIT for all vocational education courses. |
Not sure what type, of course, to apply for? Our Study with us pages provide information on the different ways to study
Verifying your citizenship
If you are applying direct to RMIT you are required to provide evidence of their citizenship. When applying include your:
- Visa Grant Notice or Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Notice; and
- Immi Card.
Equity Access Schemes
RMIT’s Equity Access Schemes aim to help students who have experienced significant educational disadvantages receive an offer to university. We encourage all eligible asylum seekers to apply for equity access when applying to study.
Learn more about RMIT’s Equity Access Schemes.
Course fees
Special initiatives for a government-subsidised place for vocational education
If you hold one of the following visas and apply for vocational education courses, you may be eligible for one or more of the initiatives below that provide access to discounted rates on course fees. Your eligibility for these schemes is assessed once an offer has been made, and you will be asked a series of questions about any prior study as part of the enrolment steps. You do not need to provide any documentation other than your visa evidence.
| Visas: | Initiatives |
|
Government Concession rate on vocational education tuition fees
Applicants eligible for the ASVET Program can receive a government concession on their tuition fees when they:
- Are enrolled in a course at Certificate IV or lower and,
- Are eligible for a government subsidised place
If you meet these requirements, you will be charged the concession rate. This rate is equivalent to 20% of the VET tuition fee payment of the government subsidised rate.
Higher Education fees
Asylum seekers who reside in Australia and study onshore are required to pay international onshore fees for their courses.
A list of programs and fees can be found at: 2023 International onshore higher education and vocational education tuition fees (PDF 137kb 6p)
Scholarships
The RMIT Welcome Scholarship supports new and continuing students seeking asylum or holding temporary protection visas to help fund their studies.
The scholarship consists of full program tuition fees and Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF) paid per semester. Some scholarship recipients may also receive a study/living allowance of up to $5,000 per year paid fortnightly.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply see the RMIT Welcome Scholarship website.
Support services
We offer a range of support you can access before you apply to university and throughout your studies:
Contact us
Need more information or assistance? Email: inclusion@rmit.edu.au or phone: 0399253181.
I often look back and think how funny it is that 14 years ago I couldn’t speak a word of English and now I’m graduating with a degree in journalism.
- Shamsiya Hussainpoor, Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)
