Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education)

Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education)

POSTGRADUATE

Ignite the spark of learning. Become a secondary school teacher.

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Student type:
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Part-time 4 years
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

IELTS 7.5

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$32,640 (2023 annual)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

Build your confidence to become a highly effective secondary teacher.

RMIT’s Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) is designed for graduates from any discipline who wish to teach in secondary schools.

Throughout your studies, you’ll build practical and technological skills to become a teacher and develop a deep theoretical understanding of how students learn.

This qualification emphasises industry experience and theoretical understanding, and features guidance from academic professionals to help you to positively influence the lives of your students.

Core subjects cover:

  • youth cultures and education
  • engaging with the community
  • educational research and inquiry
  •  integrating information and communications technology with teaching practice
  • 21st century teaching and learning skills
  • evidence-based teaching practice.

You will graduate with specialist knowledge in education, fully prepared to become a teacher who makes an impact.

Male student in front of laptop, talking to teach standing in front of him, inside a classroom

What you will learn

Develop an in-depth knowledge of how students learn, and become a confident and highly effective secondary school teacher.

Details

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This degree emphasises industry experience and theoretical understanding, and features 1:1 mentoring and guidance from academic professionals to help you to positively influence the lives of your students.

You’ll learn through:

  • interactive seminars
  • self-directed research
  • group-based learning
  • reflection on visual materials
  • excursions
  • online discussions.

Students will engage with local Aboriginal community members and gain an understanding of the oldest teaching methods in the world. This is supported by an opportunity to complete a Scar Tree Walk to a sacred Women's site on campus as well as contributing to the school's possum skin cloak.

During your studies, you’ll develop a professional portfolio to demonstrate your understandings of learning and teaching in the 21st century.

Assessment includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, and practical assignments.

Blended learning options

Courses offered as part of blended learning programs include a meaningful blend of online, on-campus, and workplace based learning tailored to the type of study you undertake. This learning is active, prioritising tasks that involve exploration and development of skills and knowledge through interaction and engagement.

Online aspects provide positive benefits such as flexibility and adaptability using digital activities and materials, while also strengthening the interaction and connection with timetabled and on-campus experiences such as tutorials, practicals, or workshops.

Academics with extensive experience working in the secondary education sector have developed a strong network of industry professionals who are involved in the planning, teaching, and facilitation of industry placements in this degree.

RMIT has a strong network of partner schools to help you make valuable connections while studying. We also have connections through practicing teachers and other industry people such as subject associations representatives, employment agencies and union representatives being invited to contribute to programs via QA panels in courses and graduation expos.

As a preservice teacher, you are encouraged and supported to volunteer to help out in local schools and gain extra experience in this capacity. This gives you further valuable exposure to a range of school settings.

By taking part in 60 days of professional experience in schools and educational settings, you will gain extensive experience that will build your confidence and prepare you for your work as a teacher. While on placement, you will have a whole-school experience. You’ll get to know the nature of teachers’ work by participating in classroom tasks and observing teachers in action, and you’ll have opportunities to plan and teach lessons, which will increase in number over your placement. 

These placement opportunities include opportunities to work in rural, regional and metropolitan locations. We also have opportunities for students to conduct placement overseas.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

As part of your studies, you will specialise in two teaching areas from the list below.

Your eligibility for the two specialist teaching areas is determined based on your previous higher education study after you have applied to the program.

  • Accounting
  • Biology
  • Business Management
  • Chemistry
  • Commerce and Business Studies
  • Dance
  • Drama
  • Economics
  • English
  • English as a Second Language
  • Geography
  • Health
  • History
  • Home Economics
  • Humanities
  • Information Technology/Computing
  • Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
  • Legal Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Science
  • Studies Of Society And Environment (SOSE)
  • Visual Arts.

The Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) mixes coursework in educational theory and teaching methodology with a minimum of 60 days of practical teaching experience in educational settings.

Classes are held during normal business hours. There are opportunities to complete some subjects in intensive mode.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education)
Program code: MC220
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education)
City Campus
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
MC220P19
098980D
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
Plan code
MC220P19
CRICOS
098980D
View plan
Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education)
City Campus
2 years full-time
MC220P19
098980D
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
MC220P19
CRICOS
098980D
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Male secondary school teacher, smiling, looking toward camera

Make the next step in your career a meaningful one

Make a positive impact on the lives of young people in your career as a teacher.

Discover a career with meaning. Bring positive change to the lives of young people and open opportunities with a globally-recognised teaching qualification that’s always in demand.

RMIT postgraduates are among the most employable in Australia.

As a graduate of this degree, you’ll be qualified as a secondary teacher and equipped to teach in schools and other educational settings in national and international contexts.

The knowledge and skills you will gain can also be applied in policy and consultative work in private industry, the public sector, and community service organisations.

Common career options include secondary teacher, educational officer, trainer, and educational policy officer.

Job Outlook projects that work opportunities for school teachers are set to increase by 10.2% to 2024. Job Outlook also estimates that the most common annual salary for a teacher in Australia is between $75,000 for a graduate up to $108, 000 for an experienced classroom teacher. There are further developmental and professional opportunities to move into higher pay scales as learning specialists or as a leading teacher.

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The Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) is subject to accreditation by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) for registration purposes. It is well recognised throughout Australia, although graduates will have to check with the individual registration authorities in other states and territories.

You may also apply for membership of appropriate professional bodies and will be advised of these during the your studies.

To register with the VIT, all applicants who did not complete their initial tertiary qualification in English at an approved institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America need a minimum IELTS (academic module) overall score of 7.5, with individual band scores required at 7.0 for Reading, 7.0 for Writing, 8.0 for Listening and 8.0 for Speaking.

For further information, please contact VIT or Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership for information on registration requirements.

Through reciprocal arrangements with registration authorities, graduates can practice as teachers nationally and overseas.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) that includes a major in a specialist area and a minor in a second specialist area.

Please refer to the Secondary teaching specialist areas below for more information.

You are required to complete the online Casper test. As part of the requirements for many initial teacher training programs in Victoria, this test assesses your non-academic personal and professional attributes. Find out more information about Casper and available test dates. Please ensure the correct RMIT program has been added to your distribution list.

Selection for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) is competitive, and places are limited. You will be selected based on your grade point average (GPA).

The Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) has English language requirements which are specific to this degree.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

If you did not complete your bachelor degree in English at an approved institution in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, you must sit an IELTS (Academic) test or another approved Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) English Language Test.

Minimum scores required for IELTS academic are: 

  • Speaking = 8.0
  • Writing = 7.0
  • Reading = 7.0
  • Listening = 8.0
  • Overall = 7.5

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) that includes a major in a specialist area and a minor in a second specialist area.

Please refer to the Secondary teaching specialist areas below for more information.

You will need to nominate your specialist areas of study upon application.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

You must sit the Casper test. Casper is a requirement for many of the initial teacher training programs in Victoria. It is a non-cognitive online test designed to assess your personal and professional attributes. To register for your sitting or further information about the test, visit takealtus.

To study this program you will need to complete the following English proficiency test:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.5 (with 7.0-reading, 7.0-writing, 8.0-listening, 8.0-speaking)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test – IBT): minimum overall score of 102 (with minimum of 24 in Reading, 28 in Listening, 26 in Speaking and 27 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum overall score of 72 (with minimum communication band of 65 in Reading and Writing and 79 in Listening and Speaking)

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

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All applicants to the Master of Teaching Practice (Secondary Education) must have completed a major sequence in one teaching specialist area and at least a minor sequence in a second specialist area.

  • Major: A total of three-quarters of a year of successful full-time higher education study, usually comprising sequential discipline study taken over three years. In most Australian programs this equates to six units, with no more than two at first year level and no less than two units at third year level.
  • Minor: A total of half a year of successful full-time higher education study, usually comprising sequential discipline studies taken over two years. In most Australian programs this equates to four units, with no more than two at first year level.

The two specialist areas for which you are eligible are the disciplines in which you specialise for your study.

Secondary teaching specialist areas available at RMIT University

There are some teaching specialist areas for which a major sequence is always required. Please check the table below carefully.

Accounting Major or minor in Accounting
Biology Major or minor in Biology– includes anatomy, botany, cell biology, ecology, ethology, evolution, genetics, human biology, microbiology, physiology, and zoology
Business Management Major or minor in Business Management
Chemistry Major or minor in Chemistry – includes biochemistry, stoichiometry, food science, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry, and theoretical chemistry
Commerce and Business studies Major or minor in Business Studies
  • Major: a major sequence in one Business Studies area and a minor sequence in another Business Studies area are required
  • Two minor sequences in different Business Studies areas are required.
Business Studies areas include Accounting/Finance, Business Management, Data Processing, Economics, Human Resource Management, Legal Studies, Marketing, and Secretarial Studies.
Dance Major or minor in Dance or Performance Studies (Dance)
Drama Major or minor in Drama, Performance Studies (Drama) or Theatre Studies (including practical Drama)
Economics Major or minor in Economics
English (a) Major or minor in English (Literature or Literary Studies)
or
(b) Major or minor in Writing, English Language Studies or Linguistics, together with two additional units in English (Literature or Literary Studies)
English as a Second Language (ESL) Major or minor in one of the following:
(a) Linguistics
(b) A second language (i.e., not your first language)
(c) Appropriate studies on Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages (TESOL) that include the following core content:
  • the nature of the English language and the learning of English including formal systems, spoken and written discourse, language and social context, and bi/multilingual language and literacy development
  • the socio-cultural context of TESOL including educational, cultural, historical and inter group issues and the implications for teaching and learning
  • acquisition of English as a second or additional language. The study of how a second or additional language is acquired with reference to English with implications for TESOL pedagogy
  • the institutional context of TESOL including the role of the TESOL teacher in the school organisation, with parents (as appropriate) and the wider community
Geography Major or minor in Geography
Health Major or minor covering all four areas of Health, Human Development, Family and Nutrition
History Major or minor in History
Home Economics
 Major or minor covering:
(a) Food (Food Preparation and Food Science) or Nutrition
and
(b) Health or Human Development or Family
Humanities Major or minor in one of the following specialist Humanities areas:
(a) Economics
(b) Geography
(c) History
together with two additional units in another area of Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Indigenous Studies, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Politics, or Sociology
Information Technology/Computing Major or minor in Computer Science or Information Technology
Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Major in the language
Note: Native speakers of a language may seek a Statement of Equivalence from an Australian university to verify that their knowledge and competence in the language meets the standard of a major level study.
Legal Studies Major or minor in Legal Studies or Criminology
Mathematics Major or minor in Mathematics
Media Studies Major or minor in Media Studies, Film or Journalism.
Music (a) Major study in Music which includes Practical Music
or
(b) Major study in Music together with AMEB Grade VI or Year 12 Practical Music
Philosophy Major or minor in Philosophy
Physical Education Major in Physical Education
Studies should include study in the following areas:
(a) Discipline Study: Human Movement (e.g. anatomy, physiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, growth and motor development, skill acquisition and psycho-social aspects of physical activity), Health and Nutrition
(b) Skills: fundamental motor skills, ball handling, dance, games, fitness education, athletics, aquatics, sport education
Physics Major or minor in Physics - includes acoustics, astrophysics, atomic physics, cosmology, electronics, mechanics, nuclear physics, optics and thermodynamics.
Politics Major or minor in Politics – includes international relations
Psychology Major or minor in Psychology
Science Major or minor in one Science area together with two additional units in another Science area.
Science areas include Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science (Geology), Environmental Science, and Physics.
Studies of Society and Environment (SOSE) Major or minor in one SOSE area together with two additional units in another SOSE area.
SOSE areas include Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Indigenous Studies, Legal Studies, Philosophy, Politics and Sociology.
Visual Arts Major in Visual Arts which includes at least one quarter of a year of practical Art content – includes Ceramics, Computer-generated Art, Craft, Drawing, Metal, Painting, Photography, Pottery, Sculpture, Textiles, Visual Communication, Wood, etc.

Additional information

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Working with children check

Applicants will be required to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children (WWC) Check (valid for 5 years) prior to undertaking professional placement as part of this program.

Note: For placements undertaken interstate a valid WWC Check is required for that state.

*All relevant screening and compliance check fees are the responsibility of the student. 

Enrolled students are required to complete a literacy and numeracy test in their first year of study. Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts and the test must be passed by the end of the first year of enrolment in order to graduate from the program. Counselling and support for those failing the test will be available. It is mandated by the Federal Government and will be administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

For more information, including the cost of the test, please see Literacy and Numeracy Test for Initial Teacher Education Students.

Non-academic abilities you’ll need to complete this program

The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.

The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.

By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:

  • understand more about the program
  • determine if you may need support during your studies
  • make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you

If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.

To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service

The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.

Pathways

You can gain entry to this masters degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

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Entry for this program is primarily through Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs).

Government financial assistance is available to eligible students regardless of the type of place you enrol in.

2023 indicative fees

Commonwealth supported places

  • 2023 Commonwealth supported places (CSP) range from AU$4,124 to AU$15,142*.

Full-fee places

  • AU$24,960 (2023 annual fee)*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

  • You may be eligible to apply for a HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
  • For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government.

Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set on an annual basis by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.

How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?

The Australian Government has introduced changes to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package. 

The fees in the table below apply to students who commence their program in 2023. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Each course (subject) falls into a band. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.

Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.

You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.

Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2023 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2023
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,124 per standard year
$515 per standard (12 credit point) course
Allied Health, Other Health, Built Environment, Computing, Visual and Performing Arts, Professional Pathway Psychology, Professional Pathway Social Work, Engineering, Surveying, Environmental Studies, Science, Pathology $8,301 per standard year
$1,037 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $11,800 per standard year
$1,475 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $15,142 per standard year
$1,892 per standard (12 credit point) course

If you are offered a full-fee place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2023 is $326. 

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

HECS-HELP Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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The annual tuition fee for 2023 is AU$32,640.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2023 commencement is AU$65,280.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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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.

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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