Frequently Asked Questions

In response to COVID-19 situation, RMIT University and its educational partners have suspended all face-to-face events until further notice.

In the interim, we are organising online events including webinars and chat where staff and student ambassadors are available to answer your questions. Please refer to the Meet RMIT Virtually page to find all virtual event options.

Our friendly team is here to support you all the way. Start a chat with one of us to find out about your study options, RMIT program structures, entry requirements, fees, life in Melbourne and more.

RMIT has been working to deliver blended learning – a mix of online and face-to-face learning, depending on the course requirements – for some time. This has been accelerated due to the current climate.

Flexible study allows students to study online by participating in lectures and tutorials via Canvas, our online learning and teaching platform, to ensure continued learning throughout this period. The majority of classes and assessments have been rearranged to suit this learning format.

Face-to-face learning, work placements and practical assessments will be arranged at a later date.

In Semester 1 2021, learning will happen through a mix of face-to-face and online activities.

RMIT plans to have as many classes on campus as possible, however physical distancing restrictions means it will not be possible to have all learning activities on campus.

All lectures will be delivered online. Tutorials, lectorials, practicals and workshops may be on campus, online or a mix of both.

Classes requiring specialist equipment and spaces will be prioritised for on campus learning.

Students can check the Study with us page, or look at the Programs for International students page to confirm program availability.

RMIT uses Canvas, a learning and teaching platform, to record and store lectures so you can go back and re-watch them at any point and review tasks set by your lecturer.

Tutorials, workshops and seminars are being held online via a video-based system that allows teachers to present interactive content during classes. You’ll login and join your teachers and classmates, participating as you would when attending face-to-face classes. Your subjects may require group work, online discussion, or other interactive activities as required for assessment, all of which can be done online.

RMIT University and all students need to follow Australian government advice on this matter. Please visit the Department of Home Affairs for latest updates.

We understand international students are anxiously waiting for the opportunity to come back to Melbourne. We are awaiting advice from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments on when international students will be able to return to Australia.

RMIT is working closely with the Victorian Government and other Victorian universities on a state-wide approach that will allow international students to enter Victoria. We look forward to welcoming you back and will be in touch when we have more information.

Yes. You can start studying online from home and once the borders open and is safe to travel you can join RMIT in Australia.

Department of Home Affairs has recently made some announcements on a number of changes to student visa arrangements to support international students.

Where can I get more information?

Information for international students is available across a range of Government agencies, including:

• the Department of Home Affairs' COVID-19 website, and also on the Study Australia resource hub for the latest visa information and travel advice regarding COVID-19
• the Study Australia website for information about support services available for international students
  
• the Australian Government website forthe latest news, updates and advice
  
• the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website. You can also contact them directly for international student enquiries on international.students@dese.gov.au or 1300 981 621 (9am to 5pm AEDST Monday to Friday) 

Yes, we are accepting applications for all future intakes. Learn more about how to apply.

Once you have submitted your application, you will be able to communicate with International Admissions team about your application via the Applicant Portal.

It is recommended that international students apply for advanced standing/credit exemptions at the same time of the application. There is a section in the application where you can indicate you are applying for credits (advanced standing). If you are eligible for credits, this can change the total duration required to complete a program, therefore affecting the duration of your eCOE and visa.

Yes, RMIT offers a range of scholarships to commencing international students across all areas of study. To find a scholarship you may be eligible for, please visit the Scholarships for commencing international students page.

Interim arrangements can be found on the Students under 18 years of age page.

Your plans to travel to Australia for study will be impacted by the Australian Government travel restrictions currently in place.

For information on visa applications and updates, please refer to Department of Home Affairs website.

There are temporary provisions in place for most qualifications:

RMIT will accept online / uncertified documents from all countries to issue full offers.

Online transcripts must have details of the institution, student’s detail and the title of the qualification. Applicants will be required to provide certified copies of official academic documents as soon as they are available and by no later than census date.

Vietnamese qualifications:

To remove the requirement of Vietnamese National High School Graduation Examination for admissions to Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Undergraduate Degree. Applicants will be required to provide a certified copy of official National High School Graduation as soon as it is available and by no later than census date.

Hong Kong qualifications:

Applicants with Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) qualification can apply for admissions based on trial HKDSE results.

Applicants will be required to provide official results after enrolling in their programs.

Cambodia qualifications:

For entry into Foundation Studies, students studying a Cambodian High School Qualification will be accepted based on their Year 12 school report. A 75% average or above is the score required for entry into Foundation programs in the absence of Diploma of Upper Secondary Education qualification.

GCE O and A Levels and International Baccalaureate (IB):

Forecast results from GCE O Levels / IGCSE will be accepted to issue a full offer for Foundation Studies for an immediate intake.

Forecast GCE A Level and Predicted IB Diploma results will be accepted to issue a full offer for a Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree for an immediate intake if applicants’ forecast / predicted results are 3 points higher than the actual program’s entry requirement.

Applicants must also meet English requirement, other additional requirement and SSVF assessment.

Applicants will not be required to provide official final results when applying for an immediate intake.

In response to COVID-19 which has caused a number of cancellations and delays in English language testing, RMIT will temporarily accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator for programs that require up to IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with no band less than 6.5 (or equivalent) for semester 1 2021. The requirements are the same as for their respective traditional tests.

We will also temporarily extend the validity period for an approved English proficiency test for admission from two years to three years prior to the RMIT program commencement date for semester 2 2020 and semester 1 2021 intakes (some exclusions apply where required for accreditation purposes such as Nursing programs).

Please refer to the English language proficiency tests for international students page for detailed information.

No. You must pay the full amount indicated in your offer letter plus required Overseas Student Health Cover, when accepting your offer. An eCOE will only be issued based on the full payment.

There are no payment plans currently available for applicants. For more information on how to accept your offer, please refer to your offer letter or the Accept your offer page

RMIT will accept IELTS Indicator and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition for entry into REW ELICOS programs. This means students can apply for EAP package offer based on these tests in addition to REW's OOPT, TOEFL iBT, IELTS (Academic), PTE (A) and CAE.

Please refer to the English language proficiency tests for international students page for detailed information.

For entry into ELICOS program, validity for IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE (A) has changed from 12 months to 24 months.

Flexibility when accepting English proficiency tests, i.e. a 2-month grace period for main program direct entry (not applicable for ELICOS entry and excludes programs with accreditation requirement such Diploma and Bachelor of Nursing)

RMIT English Worldwide (REW) delivers the REW Placement Test online for both onshore & offshore candidates.

All placement test bookings (onshore & offshore students) can be submitted directly to RMIT English Worldwide through the online booking form.

Once a test booking has been made, the candidate will receive important information about the test, and instructions on how to log in via the candidate’s personal email address.

The following will be required to secure a booking:

• Completed online booking form 
• Copy of candidate’s passport
• Expected test date 
• Candidate’s personal email address for further communication 
• Confirmation of required setup: reliable internet connection, suitable browser (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox), Zoom Client for Meetings, headset, microphone and web camera

At present, the placement test will run Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1.30pm (Melbourne time), with the exception of selected Fridays and the first day of each module, when the placement tests are reserved for commencing students. REW will review this availability regularly in order to cater for demand

Students can do the test from home as long as they have a stable and reliable internet connection. It will be invigilated on camera by staff in Melbourne. If the student does not have a strong internet connection at home, we would recommend that they go to their agent’s office to complete the test.

The REW Placement Test has three parts:

• Part 1 - Oxford Online Placement Test (Listening and Use of English) = 60 minutes
• Part 2 - Writing = 30 minutes
• Part 3 - Speaking = 10-15 minutes

More information on the test format for Part 1 (Oxford Online Placement Test) is available on the Oxford English Testing website.

The test results will be released within 48 hours.

The results are valid for the purpose of issuing an offer for up to 12 months. However, if the results are more than 6 months old when the student arrive for enrolment, they will have to sit the placement test again.

Test candidates are permitted to re-sit the REW Placement test after a minimum of 4 weeks (maximum of 3 times per 12 months). Please note that a re-sit could affect the recommended starting level and number of EAP weeks required.

If you are in Australia and are commencing your RMIT program online, it is generally a condition of your student visa that you continue to hold OSHC for the duration of your visa.

If you are not in Australia and are commencing your RMIT program online, you can accept your offer and RMIT will issue a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) to you even though you do not hold OSHC. However, it is your responsibility to arrange OSHC when you are ready to apply for your student visa. Please note that failure to have a valid OSHC when applying for a student visa may result in delays in visa processing and visa refusal.

We strongly recommend that students refer to Study Australia COVID-19 Resources Hub to familiarise themselves on the number of changes to student visa program Australian Government has recently announced. If you are intending to apply for a post-study work visa upon completion of your studies, the requirements of students to hold a visa would mean that they are required to arrange OSHC at the time they accept their offer. 

You can contact our team isoshc@rmit.edu.au if you need assistance in arranging your OSHC.

If you have purchased your OSHC through a different provider, we encourage you to check with them. 

Medibank exclusively offers Comprehensive OSHC to students at partner universities only. Comprehensive OSHC meets your student visa health insurance requirements for all course types, helps towards your hospital and medical needs, and provides a range of added value services above Essentials OSHC.

Additionally, Medibank OSHC allows you to access services such as:

• On-Campus Medibank Support  Student at RMIT City Campus*
• Medibank 24/7 Student Health and Support Line

Learn more about Comprehensive Medibank OSHC coverage.

*Please refer to https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/alerts/coronavirus for updates on on-campus activities affected by COVID-19

How does Medibank benefit me when I am offshore?

As a Medibank OSHC member, you have access to many online resources designed to support your health and well-being and help you prepare for life in Australia.

Medibank is encouraging all members to join their eat, move and feel activities that will help you stay active, stay healthy and Live Better at Home.

From 1 January 2021, the Australian Government strengthened penalties will apply to student and temporary work visa holders who fail to correctly declare high-risk biosecurity goods at airports and seaports. All travellers must accurately declare certain food, plant material and animal items to prevent the introduction of diseases such as the African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease into Australia.  For serious or repeat breaches of biosecurity rules, visa holders could have their visa cancelled and be sent home.