Refunds for commencing or newly enrolled international students

Information on this page is for commencing international students who wish to apply for a refund.

Who can apply using this form?

This form is for a commencing international student who

  • is applying for or holding a student visa and
  • is yet to enrol or
  • has withdrawn from all study in the first semester of a Program.

International students who hold a bridging visa or temporary visa other than an international student visa will have their refund applications assessed according to the refund rules for domestic and continuing students.

You can apply for a refund as a domestic or continuing student, if you are:

  • an Australian citizen
  • a New Zealand citizen
  • a holder of a Permanent Resident visa
  • a holder of a Permanent Humanitarian visa
  • A student who holds a bridging visa or a temporary visa other than an international student visa
  • an international student in the first semester of a current program whose results have been officially released.
  • on an approved leave of absence
  • a currently enrolled student requesting a refund for an overpayment

Frequently asked questions

  • If you have not yet enrolled but are considering studying at a later time, find out how to defer your offer
  • If you have deferred your offer, please make sure you have completed the deferral process by accepting your new offer before applying for a refund.
  • If you have enrolled in any classes, please make sure you cancel your enrolment before the census date prior to submitting a refund application. Find out how to cancel your enrolment.
  • If you are enrolled but intend to withdraw from all study, you must cancel enrolment before the census date to be eligible for a refund.

  • You may be eligible for a refund if special circumstances cause you to miss the cancellation deadline.

  • If you reduce your study load in the first semester of study, you will not be eligible for a refund of the difference between the tuition fees you paid for that semester and the tuition fees charged. Instead, the difference will appear as a credit in your student account.

  • If you are intending to change study plans and study elsewhere within Australia you should stay enrolled at RMIT until the outcome of your application for release is finalised. If you have applied for a release, please wait for the application to be finalised before applying for a refund.

  • All refund applications are assessed based on the applicable Schedule of Fees and Charges (see refund guidelines).
  • Any refund amount can only be determined after a refund application has been submitted and assessed.
  • If your application for a refund is successful any outstanding charges and administrative fees will be deducted from the refundable amount.

  • If you paid your fees via credit card, authorised refunds will be processed to the same credit card.
  • If you paid using another method, any refundable amount will be paid to your nominated bank account. However, if you choose to have your refund transferred to an international bank, you need to enter the same bank account details of the bank account that made the original payment. International bank policies may require the refund to go back to the payer's bank account. If you provide a different bank account it may cause lengthy delays.

  • Completed applications for refund will be processed within 20 working days. Please note that transfers to overseas bank accounts will take up to 6 weeks. RMIT is not responsible for any currency variations in foreign exchange rates.

  • It is highly recommended that your application for refund is submitted as soon as possible. Any delays in submitting the application, may impact the refund amount. 

How to apply for a refund

Before you submit your online application form:

  • Check refund guidelines below to identify whether you are entitled to a full refund/partial refund or no refund.
  • Compile any required supporting documents.

The refund amount is determined by an assessment of your reason for refund, supporting documentation and when you apply for a refund, relative to your Program commencement date.

Table B1: Full refund assessment tool

Refund reason  Refund amount  Evidence required Refund submission date

Visa not granted in time to enrol in onshore study for programs which are unavailable for online study  

Full refund  

Visa application with visible date of submission  

Application for refund must be submitted within 12 months of program commencement date.  

 

**Enrolled students must cancel their enrolment by the census date 

Student is transferring to an RMIT international partner or RMIT Vietnam 

Full refund 

Evidence of enrolment 

Compassionate or compelling reason   

Full refund 

Supporting documentation for specific circumstance 

Visa application has been refused  

Full refund  

Department of Home Affairs Visa Refusal Letter  

**Enrolled students must cancel their enrolment before the official result release date for your current semester 

 

 

Provider default - RMIT is unable to provide the program   

 

 

Full refund  

 

 

Email notification from RMIT   

Overpayment of fees 

Full refund  

Proof of payment 

Application for refund must be submitted within 12 months of program commencement date.  

Student did not meet program conditions 

*Academic or English condition not met  

Full refund  

Official academic transcript or statement of results if not from RMIT or  

English language proficiency test result 

Student cannot provide release letter from current education provider  

Full refund 

Evidence of refusal of release  

Refund Guidelines for offers issued on or after 5 May 2021

Table B2: Partial or no refund assessment tool

Refund reason Timing Refund amount Evidence required
Personal reasons: (job offer, homesickness, change of mind, change of study plans, failure to enrol by RMIT deadlines or financial considerations) 4 weeks or more before program commencement date Deposit less 10% No evidence required
Within 4 weeks of the program commencement date, up until and including census date

Deposit less 50%

No evidence required 

Any other reason for refund that is not specified under Table B1 Full refund 

Voluntary discontinuation of Program 

Incorrect or insufficient information or documentation supplied as part of the application process (e.g. fraudulent)

Student re-applies to RMIT, for a Commonwealth Supported Place in their program, after being granted permanent residency (see section 2.14)

After census date No refund No evidence required

Refund Guidelines for offers issued on or before 4 May 2021

Application submitted Refund amount (AUD)
4 weeks or more before Program commencement date Deposit minus $500
Less than 4 weeks and up to Program commencement date Deposit minus $1000
After Program commencement up to census date Deposit minus $5000
(Foundation Studies: Withdrawal charges will be 50% of the Foundation Studies first semester tuition fees)
After census date No refund

Please provide all supporting documents in English. 

Refund reason Required document
All applications Copy of passport photo and signature pages
Under 18 Copy of parent’s passport and signature pages
Visa refusal Department of Home Affairs Visa Refusal Letter
Visa granted too late Visa application with visible date of submission
Compassionate or Compelling
  1. Personal statement detailing how the circumstances affect your ability to study.
  2. Supporting documentation
    • If you have a close family member who is ill, please include evidence of your relationship to them.
Financial hardship due to COVID –19 Personal statement detailing the reasons for the unexpected financial downturn.
Transferring to an RMIT international partner or RMIT Vietnam Evidence of enrolment
Did not meet Program conditions Academic transcript/statement if not from RMIT
Failed Simplified Student Visa requirements Passport only
Personal reasons Passport only
Program no longer available Passport only
Accepted Offer too late to enrol Passport only
Overpaid fees Receipt of payment
Scholarship reimbursement Scholarship grant letter

If you have OSHC with Medibank and paid your OSHC fees to RMIT, we can organise this refund for you. If your OSHC is arranged directly with another provider, please contact them directly to discuss a refund. 

If your refund application requires more information or supporting documents to proceed, please provide these within 10 working days.  Your refund application will be closed if the required information is not received within this timeframe. If your refund application is closed, you will need to submit a new application if you wish to proceed. Please note that your application will be processed within 20 working days of receiving a new complete application.

Submit application form

Appeals

You can appeal the outcome of your refund outcome within 20 days of receiving the outcome notification. An appeal must include new information not included in the original application and new supporting documents. 

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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.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

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.