International students under 18 years of age

International students under 18 years of age

Welfare requirements for international students under 18 years of age.

Welfare requirements for international students under 18 years of age.

Welfare requirements for international students under 18 years of age.

Under 18 Care Program

At RMIT, we’ve supported many young international students like you as they settle into life in Australia. Our dedicated team is here to help you every step of the way - from your studies and wellbeing, to making friends and feeling part of the RMIT community. We have some simple guidelines in place to help keep you safe and to support you to make the most of your experience with us.

If you are an international student under 18 years old studying in Melbourne there are some additional visa requirements, including welfare arrangements.

You have two options; you can join the RMIT care program and receive a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW), or you can live with your parent or nominated guardian in Melbourne.

RMIT Care Program

If you join the RMIT Under 18 Care Program, you have access to additional specialised support from our U18 team and broader Student Wellbeing team. This includes:

  • An orientation session specifically designed for under 18 students. You will meet your caregiver, get familiar with the Under 18 Student rules, and find out what support is available to you.
  • Regular meetings with your caregiver to help keep your studies on track. They will also check in on your health and wellbeing, social life and accommodation. This is the perfect time to ask any questions.
  • Accommodation assistance to help you resolve any issues, or help with changes to your living arrangements.
  • Regular workshops to help you develop skills and live independently.
  • 24/7 support for emergencies, if you need help.

For Parents

We want to reassure you that your young person’s safety and wellbeing are our top priority. We know that sending your child, especially when they are under 18, overseas to study, while exciting, can be stressful. This is why we have a dedicated under 18 team to provide care and support for students and their families.

We provide a pre-departure webinar where you and your young person can meet the Under 18 team, ask any questions, and have a good understanding of enrolment requirements, university processes and expectations, and support options available before you arrive.

Parents will receive communication about what’s happening at RMIT, and information on your young person's health and welfare. Parents and the Caregiver will liaise closely on student requests to ensure safety and wellbeing. You can contact the Under 18 team at any time via email isunder18@rmit.edu.au. 

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RMIT Care Program

The RMIT Care Program supports the welfare and wellbeing of international students under the age of 18 years who are enrolled in studies at RMIT UP or at RMIT University.

RMIT Care Program handbook (PDF 633kb)

Applying for welfare arrangements

Option 1: Living with an approved relative

You will be living with a DHA approved relative who lives in Australia, or a DHA approved relative will travel to Australia and live with you while you study and are under 18 years of age. 

Option 2: RMIT Care Program (CAAW)

You will not be staying with a relative. Instead, RMIT will accept responsibility for your welfare by issuing a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW). An RMIT issued CAAW requires that you register for the RMIT Care Program and that you will live in RMIT approved accommodation.

A CAAW is only available to under-18 students who hold or are intending to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500). RMIT cannot accept welfare responsibility for students on any other visa type.

To confirm you are living with a relative while studying at RMIT you must:
  1. Confirm your guardian.
  2. Secure your student visa.
  3. Book an airport pick up (optional).
  4. Arrive in Melbourne.
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The relative with whom you will live in Australia will need to be approved by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). See Welfare and custody arrangements for student under 18 for details of DHA approved relatives.  

To confirm this welfare arrangement:

  1. Accept your offer from RMIT. Find out how to accept your offer.
  2. Submit the Welfare Approval Form and select Option 1 – staying with a relative. Fill out the necessary information about your nominated relative and attach:
    a. Parent or legal guardian’s passport
    b. Your passport

After your Welfare Approval Form has been assessed and approved, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued. You may then apply for a Student Visa.

Submit a Welfare Approval Form

If you are living with a DHA approved relative while under-18 and studying in Australia, your welfare is your approved relative’s responsibility.

If your approved relative needs to depart Australia while you stay here, before they leave, your approved relative must provide evidence that:

  • there is a compelling and compassionate reason for their travel and
  • they have made alternative welfare arrangements for your accommodation, general welfare and support until they return.

You approved relative may also nominate another approved relative to provide your welfare.

See Welfare and custody arrangement for students under 18for more information.

To apply for a Student Visa, you will need:

Airport pick-up is optional if you will be living with an approved relative.

Before you apply for your airport pick-up

You must:

  • have received your CoE
  • hold a valid student visa
  • book your flight to Melbourne and your approved accommodation

When to apply

You can submit the airport pick-up form up to two weeks or at least four days before your arrival date in Melbourne.

Please note:

  1. If you have a Conditional Acceptance, your airport pick-up will be approved after you have met all the conditions in your Offer letter.

Changes to your airport pick-up booking

  • All changes must be sent by email to Aero Admin.
  • If you are overseas and miss your flight, or your flight to Melbourne is cancelled, please email Aero Admin soonest possible. If your email is received at least 14 hours before your new arrival time, Aero will do their best to arrange a driver for your updated arrival.
  • If your flight to Melbourne is delayed, Aero will update your pickup time. Aero Admin monitors all Melbourne-bound flights.
  • If you do not arrive on your booked date and flight, and Aero Admin has not been notified at least 14 hours before your original scheduled arrival, your booking will be cancelled.
  • RMIT will charge A$100 no-show fee if you do not notify Aero Admin of any flight changes or if you fail to cancel your airport pickup booking. 

To enrol using a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW):

  1. Confirm your CAAW.
  2. Secure a student visa.
  3. Book an airport pick up.
  4. Arrive in Melbourne.

Please note, a CAAW cannot start more than 2 weeks before your program commences.

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Please note, from 15 March 2026, RMIT will no longer endorse external caregiving services for international students under 18 years of age. All welfare arrangements requiring caregiving must register instead for the RMIT Care Program.

If you will not be living with an approved relative in Australia (Option 1), RMIT will approve your welfare arrangements and issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW). By issuing the CAAW, RMIT University accepts responsibility for your welfare arrangements.

To confirm this welfare arrangement:

  1. Accept your offer from RMIT. Find out how to accept your offer.
  2. Calculate your Care Program fees using the calculator below.

Care Program fees

Note: Care Program fee calculation does not include administration fee.

Next steps to confirm your CAAW

A CAAW cannot be issued without the above contracts. Please note, it is a condition of CAAW that until you turn 18:

  • you stay in approved accommodation every night and
  • you engage a caregiver who will support you OR engage the RMIT Care Program.

RMIT partners with approved accommodation providers to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Your caregiver will provide ongoing support by meeting with you regularly and can assist you to navigate medical and other support services. They will also assist welfare waiver, holiday, and change of accommodation requests.

For more information see the RMIT Under 18 Care Program terms and conditions (PDF 316kb).

Submit a Welfare Approval Form

To maintain CAAW, you must:

  • Maintain ongoing caregiver services until you turn 18.
  • Comply with the terms of your accommodation provider, including the terms of your tenancy agreement and house rules.
  • Comply with curfew and stay at your approved accommodation every night between 10:00 PM and 06:00 AM, unless you have secured an approved waiver from RMIT.  
  • Seek and confirm RMIT approval before taking holidays, leaving Australia, changing accommodation, or any other changes to welfare.  

Not buy, consume or possess alcohol or illicit substances.

While you are under-18 and subject to RMIT CAAW, you must return to your approved accommodation each night by 10:00 PM.

Students in PBSA accommodation are required to sign the curfew register. The accommodation provider will contact RMIT if you do not return home by 10:00 PM.

If you wish to extend your curfew beyond 10:00 PM, you must first seek approval from RMIT. Extensions must be submitted via the Curfew Extension Request form and approval cannot be guaranteed. Please note, your safety and wellbeing are of primary concern and failure to comply with curfew conditions is taken seriously.  

RMIT is committed to your safety and wellbeing. If you are unable to adhere to the requirements of your welfare arrangements, RMIT may withdraw your CAAW.  If you are found in breach of the conditions of your CAAW, RMIT may commence efforts to arrange alternative welfare arrangements.

If your CAAW is withdrawn, your parents will need to confirm welfare arrangements while you remain in Australia and are under 18 years of age. Failure to maintain appropriate welfare arrangements while under 18 in Australia may result in the cancellation of your CoE.   

RMIT will notify the Department of Home Affairs if your CAAW and/or CoE is cancelled, which may impact your Student Visa.

After your Welfare Approval Form has been assessed and approved, your CAAW and CoE will be issued. You may then apply for a Student Visa.

To apply for a Student Visa, you will need:

  • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) + CAAW

Before you apply for your airport pick-up

You must:

  • have received your CoE and CAAW
  • hold a valid student visa
  • book your flight to Melbourne and your approved accommodation

When to apply

You can submit the airport pick-up form up to two weeks or at least four days before your arrival date in Melbourne.

Temporary Welfare Waive (TWW):

Please submit your airport pick-up request only after your TWW has been approved. While your TWW is being processed, please do not submit the airport pick up request.

Please note:

  1. If you have a Conditional Acceptance, your airport pick-up will be approved after you have met all the conditions in your Offer letter.
  2. Under Option 1: Living with a relative: Airport pick-up is optional if you will be living with an approved relative.

Changes to your airport pick-up booking

  • All changes must be sent by email to Aero Admin.
  • If you are overseas and miss your flight, or your flight to Melbourne is cancelled, please email Aero Admin soonest possible. If your email is received at least 14 hours before your new arrival time, Aero will do their best to arrange a driver for your updated arrival.
  • If your flight to Melbourne is delayed, Aero will update your pickup time. Aero Admin monitors all Melbourne-bound flights.
  • If you do not arrive on your booked date and flight, and Aero Admin has not been notified at least 14 hours before your original scheduled arrival, your booking will be cancelled.
  • RMIT will charge A$100 no-show fee if you do not notify Aero Admin of any flight changes or if you fail to cancel your airport pickup booking. 

Elle – U18 International Coordinator

Elle has worked in the U18 welfare team at RMIT for 4 years.  Elle oversees the compliance, administration and case management of all under 18 students at RMIT.  She works closely with International Admissions, RMIT UP, Schools and Colleges, and support services to ensure prioritised and appropriate support and timely advice.  

Mel – U18 International Caregiver

Mel has a background in Nursing and public health and has worked extensively in student services at RMIT. Mel will be the key contact for all U18 students in the RMIT Care Program. She will meet regularly with students one-on-one, as well as in group workshops, orientation sessions and tours.  Mel will help U18 students with settling into Melbourne and studies, accommodation, curfew extensions, welfare waivers, academic and enrolment issues, and support service referrals.  Mel will also regularly communicate with parents and accommodation providers to ensure holistic support and care.

Katie – Manager Student Support

Katie is the Manager of Student Support at RMIT – this includes U18 International Welfare, Student Welfare Advisory team, Student Legal Service, Accommodation & Chaplaincy, and Indigenous Wellbeing.  Katie has worked in Student Wellbeing and university support services for over 20 years and is passionate about enhancing student experience and engagement.

Visa conditions

Maintaining your Student Visa (Subclass 500) requires that you comply with several conditions, including the welfare arrangements detailed above. See Visa conditions for a full list of your obligations.  

Visa conditions

Breaching visa conditions may lead to cancellation of your visa. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid Student Visa at all times.

Australia’s laws promote quality protection and consumer protection for international students. These laws are known as the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework. The ESOS framework outlines your rights and responsibilities as well as services that Australian education providers must provide to international students. 

Transferring from another provider

To transfer to RMIT from another education provider, you will need to:

  1. Accept your offer from RMIT. Find out how to accept your offer.
  2. Complete the Welfare Approval Form and attach:
    a. Evidence of release from your current educational provider (school/university)
    b. Your current CoE and/or CAAW
    c. Parent or legal guardian’s passport
    d. Your passport

If applying for Option 2- RMIT approved welfare arrangements, you will also need to attach a contract from an RMIT approved accommodation provider and receipt of Care Program fees OR approved caregiver service. See RMIT approved welfare arrangements.

Each educational institution will have their own policy regarding transferring to another provider. Please check your current provider’s guidelines regarding transfer.

Once RMIT receives the required information, the Under 18 International Student Welfare team will communicate with your current provider to confirm your release.

If you are applying for Option 2- RMIT approved welfare arrangements, you will be issued with an RMIT CAAW which will inform you of the date your welfare will be transferred to RMIT. This will be the date from which you must reside in your RMIT approved accommodation.

Changing existing welfare arrangements

If you are experiencing any issues with your approved guardian, please contact the RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare team to discuss your concerns.

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To apply for a change of accommodation:

  1. Contact your caregiver and inform them of your intention to change accommodation.
  2. Secure written consent from your parents or legal guardian to change accommodation.
  3. Inform your current accommodation provider of your intention to move.
  4. Complete the Change of Accommodation form and attach parent or legal guardian consent.

Once your application has been processed, you will need to provide evidence of a contract from your new chosen RMIT approved accommodation provider.

For approval to change your caregiver service, please contact  RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare.

To nominate a different relative, you must apply for approval from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Your relative can nominate another relative, or you may do so yourself, as per DHA guidelines. To do so, you will need to complete the DHA form Request for approval of alternative welfare.

Please see Welfare and custody arrangements for students under 18 for further information.

Once your request to change to a different relative has been approved by DHA, you must notify RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare.

If you wish to change your welfare arrangements from Option 1 to Option 2 or Option 2 to Option 1, please contact RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare for advice and guidance.

Please note, you must always have approved welfare arrangements while you are under-18 and studying in Australia.

Advise us of your welfare option

When you accept your offer, you need to submit the Under-18 Welfare Approval Form to let us know which welfare option you have chosen. After your form has been assessed, your CoE can be issued.

Under-18 Welfare Approval Form

Privacy Notice

To manage your curriculum or otherwise deal with administrative matters relating to your course, attendance or welfare as a student, RMIT may share your personal information to other areas within the university and to third parties such as the Australian Government, the Department of Home Affairs, your nominated welfare provider, or your parent/legal guardian(s)/legal representative.

For more information about these processes, to request support, or to request access to your personal information, please contact isunder18@rmit.edu.au. For further information on how we manage and protect personal information, please refer to the RMIT Privacy Statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

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You do not need to fulfill the under-18 welfare condition if you will turn 18 before your program commencement date and arrive in Australia after turning 18.

As you may still be under-18 at the time of applying for your Student Visa, you will need to submit the Department of Home Affairs 157N Nomination of a student guardian form with your visa application.

You must accept your RMIT offer at least 1 month before your program commencement date. This will ensure you have enough time to arrange appropriate welfare arrangements, apply for a Student Visa, and arrive in time for your orientation.

Yes, if you hold a CAAW and you are arriving with your parents/legal guardian and have not secured approval for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Offshore pre-arrival (see below), you must book the airport pickup service.

The service is free and can accommodate any relatives with whom you are travelling.   

If you have secured approval for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Offshore pre-arrival (see below), you do not need to book the airport pickup service.

Yes. If you are arriving with your parents/legal guardians and wish to stay with them in alterative accommodation, you will need to apply for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Offshore pre-arrival. Please complete and submit this application at least 3 days before arriving in Melbourne.

If you are living with an approved relative, you can arrive in Australia any time from when your Student Visa has been granted. 

If you are under RMIT welfare, you must only arrive from the date stated on your CAAW. This is a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requirement. This applies even if you are travelling to Australia with a parent. Check RMIT arrival dates for students subject to CAAW.

Remember, it is important to arrive in time for your orientation.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to go home for a short time during your study period.

Your circumstances must satisfy compassionate and compelling criteria. You will need to get permission from your school and the Under 18 Welfare Team prior to making travel arrangements.

Please contact RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare to discuss further.

Yes, however you will need to apply for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Onshore and must be with a parent or approved relative whilst you stay at the alternative accommodation.


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

Must be provided to RMIT to request a holiday/visit to home country during semester breaks.

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.


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