Refunds for commencing or newly enrolled international students

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Refunds for commencing or newly enrolled international students

How to apply for a refund for commencing and newly enrolled international students

How to apply for a refund for commencing and newly enrolled international students

Use this page to find out if you're eligible for a refund and submit an application to begin the process.

Important information about refunds

This information is for students:

If you have not yet enrolled but are considering studying at a later time, find out how to defer your offer. If you have enrolled in any classes, please make sure you have cancelled your enrolments before the census date before submitting a refund application. Find out how to cancel your enrolment.

A student who has enrolled and intends to withdraw from all study, 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.

All refund applications are assessed based on the Schedule of Fees and Charges.

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.

Complete 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. If you are intending to change study plans and study elsewhere in 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 applications for refund (except if you have been refused a visa) must be submitted within 12 months of the Program commencement date listed on your Offer Letter. Applications submitted after this time are not eligible for a refund.

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.
  • If you have not yet enrolled, consider the option of deferring your offer. We’re here to help you, so please find more information on deferring your offer here.
  • 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.
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Refund Guidelines for offers issued on or after 5 May 2021

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.

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.

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 before 5 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

Important University dates.

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.

Offer letters issued to commencing international students on or before 22 November 2020 will have refund applications assessed according to the Enrolment Processes: Refund of Fees document. Offer letters issued 23 November 2020 will have refund applications assessed according to the yearly Schedule of Fees and Charges.

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. 

Refunds for domestic or continuing international students

*Commencing 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.

Eligible students

This is for those students who are one of the following:

  • Australian citizens
  • New Zealand citizens
  • Holding a Permanent Resident visa
  • Holding a Permanent Humanitarian Visa
  • International students (including a holder of bridging visa) who have successfully studied in the first semester of your current program
  • Have an approved leave of absence.
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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 created by Louisa Bloomer

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