Intakes in Australia 2025 for international students

Intakes in Australia 2025 for international students

Looking to study in Australia? Understand the different intakes available so you can plan when to start your studies.

Australian universities offer multiple intakes throughout the year, providing you flexibility to start your studies at a time that works best for you, whether you want to dive in right after secondary school or need a bit more time to get things sorted.

This flexibility makes the transition smoother, especially for international students like you, so you can find the perfect fit for your schedule and academic goals.

Australian intakes: Semester 1, 2, 3

Typically, Australian universities have 2 main intakes—Semester 1 (late February/early March) and Semester 2 (mid-July).

Some universities, like RMIT, offer an additional third intake—Semester 3—for specific courses, starting around September/October/November and catering mainly to international students.

Here's some brief information about each:

Semester 1

This is the first intake of a new year. At RMIT semester 1 classes start in March, coinciding with the end of summer in Australia. All available courses are open for application for semester 1 intake.

Semester 2

This is also known as the midyear intake as it starts in July. It is the secondary intake because typically for RMIT, not all courses are available to students for midyear intake.

Semester 3

RMIT offers a select number of in-demand courses for a semester 3 intake to international students. Classes start in either September, October or November, depending on the course.

Semester and course information

Intake Starting period Course availability RMIT courses
Semester 1 Late February or early March, depending on the year All courses Search all courses
Semester 2 Mid-July Majority of courses Search all courses
Semester 3 September or October or November, depending on the course A select number of courses for international students Discover Semester 3

Things to consider when deciding which intake is for you

When deciding which intake to start your studies, consider these factors:

Course availability: Not all courses are available in all intakes, so check which intake your desired course is offered in. If you still haven't decided on a course, take some time to browse our courses for international students.

Application deadlines: Ensure you have enough time to complete your application, obtain visas, and prepare for the move. If you are required to apply for a student visa you should apply for your desired course and accept your offer a minimum of 4 weeks before your course’s start date to allow sufficient visa processing time. Take note of the specific application dates for the next upcoming intake.

Financial readiness: Assess if you have sufficient funds ready for fees and living expenses for your preferred intake. Check out our fees and scholarships page to find fees information and learn about the scholarships we have available to help you with costs and expenses.

Accommodation availability: Think about where in Melbourne you might want to live and research the various housing options available, especially for your preferred intake. Use our guide about moving to Melbourne to help you decide.

Weather and climate: Consider how the season might affect your initial experience in Australia.

Ultimately you have to consider your own personal circumstances and balance the factors above to help you choose the best intake for a successful and smooth start to your studies in Australia.

Learn more about each intake

Why start studying in Semester 1?

New year, new start

As RMIT's Semester 1 starts in March, it’s close to the beginning of the year. Many students see this as the start of something new.

Flexibility and opportunities

As all courses are available in Semester 1, you have greater flexibility in course options and opportunities for scholarships.

Ease of course planning

Typically a course is planned with a Semester 1 start as the default. If you miss a specific unit in Semester 1, you may not be able take other relevant classes until the first class is offered again.

Important dates for Semester 1

Application dates and deadlines can vary from course to course, please see the individual course apply pages for the specific application dates.

Vocational Education Semester 1 2025 important dates

Date Event or deadline
29 July 2024 Applications open
3–7 February 2025 Orientation
10 February 2025 Semester 1 classes begin
21 February 2025 Last day to add classes for Semester 1
18 April–25 April 2025 Mid-semester break (Friday to Friday, includes Easter)
10–20 June 2025 Semester 1 assessment period
22 June 2025 Semester 1 classes end
23 June–13 July 2025 Semester break

Higher Education Semester 1 2025 important dates

Date Event or deadline
29 July 2024 Applications open
24–28 February 2025 Orientation
3 March 2025 Semester 1 classes begin
18 April–25 April 2025 Mid-Semester break (Friday to Friday, includes Easter)
10–27 June 2025 Semester 1 assessment period
29 June 2025 Semester 1 classes end
30 June–20 July 2025 Semester break

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Apply now to start studying in July

RMIT offers a wide range of courses for a semester 2 intake to international students.

Find your course

Why start studying midyear at RMIT?

Industry-engaged learning

With a focus on community, connection and collaboration, RMIT delivers hands-on courses with industry-connected learning, so you can gain a range of practical learning experiences.

Learn more about studying at RMIT

Upskill at midyear, be job-ready sooner

In 2023, 19,730 RMIT students completed work-integrated learning activities with 3,735 unique global industry partners like Microsoft, the NGV and Deloitte.

Discover RMIT's industry connections

You don’t need to wait until next year

There’s no need to wait for 2025 to start achieving your goals. Get ahead with courses designed with industry leaders to give you the practical skills required for the workforce.

Start exploring courses

Important dates for Semester 2

Application dates and deadlines can vary from course to course, please see the individual course apply pages for the specific application dates.

Vocational Education Semester 2 2025

Date Event or deadline
16 July 2025
 Applications open
14 - 18 July Midyear Orientation 
14 July Semester 2 classes begin
1 - 7 September Mid-semester break
10 - 21 November Semester 2 assessment period
21 November
 Semester 2 classes end
17 December Melbourne Graduation Parade and Ceremony (Wednesday)

Higher Education Semester 2 2025

Date Event or deadline
23 July 2025
 Applications open
14 - 18 July  Midyear Orientation 
21 July Semester 2 classes begin
1 - 7 September Mid-semester break
27 October - 14 November Semester 2 assessment period
14 November
 Semester 2 classes end
17 December  Melbourne Graduation Parade and Ceremony (Wednesday)

Information about Semester 3 intake will be available at a later date. Please check back with us.

More information for international students

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International students

Join a community of students from over 196 countries who call RMIT home. Browse courses and discover what it’s like to study in the heart of Melbourne, Australia’s best city for international students^.

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Entry requirements

Find out the requirements you need to meet to get into an RMIT program as an international student, including academic scores and English proficiency.

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Fees and scholarships

Find fees information and learn about the scholarships we have available to help you with costs and expenses.

Pathways and credit transfers

RMIT has pathways and credit transfer options for international students.

Related dates information

Application dates for international students

Find all application dates for each level of study:

  • Higher education
  • Vocational education
  • Foundation Studies
  • RMIT English Worldwide (REW).

Academic calendar

Find the full list of RMIT important study dates including:

  • teaching periods
  • exam periods and
  • semester breaks.

Ready to apply?

In just four steps, apply to RMIT as an international student and get the application support you need.

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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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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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.

More information