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.
Visa eligibility
If you hold one of the following visas, you are eligible to apply as an Asylum Seeker for Vocational and Higher Education. Your visa must include study rights, and work rights are required for courses that include work placement.
- Temporary Protection Visa (V785)
- Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) (V790)
- Humanitarian Stay Visa (449)
- Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa (786)
- Any bridging visa, and awaiting the outcome of a humanitarian, protection, or refugee application.
- Have made an application under s.417 or s.48b of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) which is yet to be determined and hold a bridging visa.
Verifying your visa entitlement
If you are applying to study at RMIT you are required to provide evidence of your visa entitlement. When applying include your:
- Visa or Travel Document (e.g Immi Card or passport); and
- Visa Grant Notice or Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) Notice*.
RMIT University reserves the right to verify and confirm your visa information through the VEVO system.
*VEVO generated within the last 30 days.
How to apply
The application process depends on the applicant type and the type of study:
If you are currently undertaking an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) then you are considered a Current Year 12 student.
| Study type | How to apply |
|---|---|
| Vocational Education & Training (VET) (includes certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas) | Apply direct to RMIT |
| Undergraduate degrees (includes associate degrees, bachelor degrees and four year honours degrees) | Apply via Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). |
| One year honours degrees, and postgraduate degrees (includes graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and masters degrees) | Not available for Current Year 12 applicants |
Applying through VTAC
VTAC considers Asylum Seeker visa holders as international applicants. If you receive a VTAC offer to study at RMIT and hold an eligible visa, an RMIT staff member must verify your visa entitlement before issuing a full-fee international offer for non-student visa holders.
If you are not currently an Australian Year 12 student, you are considered a Non-Year 12 applicant and you can apply direct to RMIT as a local applicant.
| Study type | How to apply |
|---|---|
| Vocational Education & Training (VET) (includes certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas) | Apply direct to RMIT |
| Undergraduate degrees (includes associate, bachelor and honours degrees) | Apply direct to RMIT |
| Postgraduate degrees (includes graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and masters degrees) | Apply direct to RMIT |
Tuition fees and charges
Visit the Approved schedule of fees and charges (past and current) for all Vocational Education & Training and Higher Education courses.
Vocational Education & Training (VET)
If you hold an eligible visa, you can apply for VET courses and access Government support through the Asylum Seeker VET Program (ASVET). Apply direct as a local applicant.
ASVET includes access to domestic Government Subsidised Places* and Free TAFE when you:
- Are enrolled in a government subsidised course, and
- Are eligible for a government subsidised place.
*Asylum seekers living in Australia must pay domestic full-fee tuition for VE courses that are not government-subsidised.
Government Concession rate on VET tuition fees
Applicants eligible for the ASVET Program can receive a government concession on their tuition fees when they:
- Are enrolled in a Certificate I – IV level course 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 government subsidised VET tuition fee.
Higher Education (HE)
Asylum seekers living in Australia and studying onshore are required to pay international onshore fees for Higher Education courses. However, if you hold an eligible visa, you are exempt from the Educational Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) requirements and student visa-related conditions. This exemption allows you to apply for various courses at RMIT University without needing to pay a tuition fee deposit or have overseas student health cover when accepting your offer.
Scholarships
The RMIT Welcome and the Sam and Nina Narodowski Asylum Seeker Scholarships support both new and continuing students seeking asylum who hold eligible visas.
The scholarship covers full program tuition fees and Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF), paid each semester. Additionally, some recipients may receive a study/living allowance, paid fortnightly - up to $5,000 per year for Certificate and Diploma courses, and up to $15,000 per year for degrees.
These scholarships are available to current Year 12 and non-Year-12 applicants. Applications run from August to December each year and must be submitted directly to RMIT, as VTAC does not offer all scholarships. To finalise your scholarship application, you must first receive and accept an offer from RMIT.
Equity Access Schemes
RMIT’s Equity Access Schemes support students who have experienced significant educational disadvantages in gaining access to university. We encourage all eligible asylum seekers to apply for equity access when submitting their university course applications. You can apply for equity access through VTAC and direct to RMIT.
RMIT support services
Support services for non-students
Career workshops and events
RMIT regularly offers free career workshops to support you into education, training or employment, including study advice, preparing resumes and cover letters, and insights into different industries.
Skills and Job Centre
If you need help deciding what direction to take your career before you study, RMIT’s Skills and Job Centre provides the local community and prospective students with free, independent advice on entering the workforce, re-skilling and more.
Support services for current students
RMIT offers a variety of free and confidential support services to assist you during your time at university.
Student Welfare Advisors can assist you with general questions around RMIT studies and processes and refer you to relevant support services at RMIT and in the community. They can also assist you with financial advice and support, including emergency accommodation, food and travel vouchers, and Student Hardship Assistance.
Support for current students also includes study support, career support, health and wellbeing services, making friends, and more.
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)
Have more questions about studying as an asylum seeker?
Email inclusion@rmit.edu.au for more information or assistance.
Have general study questions?
Our friendly staff at Study@RMIT are also available five days a week to assist you.
