Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology

Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology

UNDERGRADUATE

Work closely with industry, explore sustainability, and gain invaluable skills that will set you apart as you kickstart your career in fashion.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Range of criteria*

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Brunswick
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$33,600 (2023 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Brunswick

Overview

Your journey starts here. You will develop creative and technical skills while working closely with the fashion industry.

Study design, pattern making and cutting-edge technology to produce everything from ready-to-wear through to made-to-measure fashion.

You'll learn to blend theory with practice through a series of industry-driven and live international projects and activities.

Through your studies you will gain the skills required to be industry-ready, developing the knowledge and know-how to secure jobs in the fashion industry – especially in computer-aided design (CAD) and the global supply chains.

You will develop a broad range of skills and study the underpinning theory of the design process, including fashion range development, trend research, specification development, design and production management, and pattern and garment construction skills.

Why study fashion design and technology at RMIT?

Fashion Design Studio

Learn in a state-of-the-art, simulated industry workroom, featuring industrial sewing machines and speciality equipment.

Professional affiliation

You are eligible to join the Fashion Technician Association Australia and Design Institute of Australia.

Industry-standard tools

Work with Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as industry-specific software such as Gerber and Lectra, used around the world.

In your studies you will learn:

  • fashion design and drawing
  • computer-aided design
  • patternmaking and grading
  • computer-aided patternmaking and grading
  • fashion trend research
  • production planning
  • specifications
  • garment construction
  • supply chain management
  • sustainability

You will also work on design briefs from local and international companies such as Alpha60, Cotton On, Denimsmith, Etal, Bizwear and Nobody Denim, working to specifications relating to demographic, colour, fabric, trends and budget.

These experiences will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to work locally or internationally as part of a design team or to start your own business.

Our graduates

Our graduates include:

Brian Khoo

- Owner 'Brian Khoo', Malaysia (previously Design Assistant for Christian Dior Couture, Paris)

Linden Blick

- Designer, Cotton On

Jodie Hayes

- Co-creator and designer of indie ocean activewear label U&I

Paul Cordero

- Draper and patternmaker at Chloé, Paris

Details

This program will unlock your creative potential, enabling you to pursue a career in fashion design or start your own fashion business.

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Learning and teaching

This program offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches that give you direct insight into and experience in the global fashion workplace.

You will interact with key people from the Australian and international fashion industry. You will undertake hands-on work with fabric and fashion and explore traditional skills, new technologies and computer systems.

You will work in the state-of-the-art Fashion Design Studio, giving you the opportunity to study in an authentic fashion studio setting. In a simulated industry workroom, you will produce your designs using industrial sewing machines and speciality equipment.

You will learn through:

  • practical hands-on studios
  • lectures
  • workshops
  • presentations
  • group discussions
  • teamwork

You will use Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as internationally recognised, industry-specific software such as Gerber and Lectra.

You will be expected to attend approximately 20 hours of classes and undertake approximately eight hours of extra study and research weekly. There are often concentrated periods of self-directed study, research and out-of-class work when assessments are due.

Class sizes are approximately 21 students per workshop.

All programs are delivered in English. You will have access to online resources through the student portal.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed via examinations, essays, reports, verbal and visual presentations, group projects, research and practical assignments.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

The work placement scheme in your second year offers hugely beneficial hands-on, real-life experience working with major Australian or international fashion companies.

Many graduates gain employment with these companies and past students have worked while simultaneously continuing their degree-level studies.

Companies where students have secured work placements range from small to large fashion design and production-related businesses, including:

  • Gwendolynne
  • Carla Zampatti
  • Akira Isogawa
  • Pacific Brands
  • Willow
  • Country Road
  • Forever New
  • Yakka
  • Anna Campbell Bridal
  • Zimmerman
  • Myer
  • Jeanswest
  • Lui Hon
  • Cotton On group
  • Life with Bird
  • Nobody Denim
  • Holeproof
  • The Just Group
  • Adidas
  • Marianna Hardwick
  • Alpha 60.

You will also connect with key industry figures from major Australian and international companies through exhibitions, industry events and public lectures.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

You can undertake overseas study experiences ranging from 2 weeks to an entire semester.

A program highlight is the study tour to Paris where you will explore Paris fashion houses, galleries and attend lectures at our partner universities in France.

Some of the partner institutes you can exchange with are:

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

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

This course is designed to give you the skills and experience that industry looks for in graduates.

As part of your studies, you will develop tools in self-management, problem solving, research and analysis.

Year 1

In first year you will explore subjects in textiles, patternmaking, product development, production skills, fashion design skills across the Adobe suite and product specifications.

Year 2

In second year you will proceed to an advanced level in computer-aided design, product development and garment construction and complex patternmaking and grading. You will participate in the Capstone project, working in teams with major Australian retailers to design, develop and produce a capsule collection that may be sold in store.

You can graduate work-ready or undertake further study in courses including the Bachelor of Fashion (Design), the Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles (Sustainable Innovation) or the Bachelor of Textiles (Design).

Course structure

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

Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology
Program code: AD014
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology
Brunswick Campus
2 years full-time
AD014
074685J
Location
Brunswick Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
AD014
CRICOS
074685J
View plan
Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology
Brunswick Campus
2 years full-time
AD014
074685J
Location
Brunswick Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
AD014
CRICOS
074685J
View plan

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

Career

This qualification provides you with high-level skills in fashion design and expert skills in specialist pattern making, managing design and product development.

With experience, you can be working as a designer or product developer, or in management positions within international fashion businesses.

Graduates have found employment with leading fashion organisations in Australia and overseas as designers, pattern makers and graders, product developers, specification technicians, quality assurance officers, production controllers, illustrators and small fashion business owner/operators.

As a fashion designer your work activities may include:

  • researching emerging trends in fashion, fabrics, colours and shapes
  • creating design concepts and presenting them using hand-drawn or computer-aided design sketches
  • developing fashion ranges
  • working within a team to develop patterns or adapt existing patterns and designs for either boutique or large scale production
  • overseeing production
  • liaising with design teams, buyers and forecasters
  • sourcing, selecting and buying fabrics, trims, fastenings and embellishments
  • developing sample garments.

 

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Current students and graduates can apply for membership to the:

You are eligible to join the DIA as a student member while studying. Graduates can apply for associate membership and full membership once they have obtained their professional experience.

Please note: eligibility for full membership is based on a points system.

Admissions

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification).

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or at least 20 in English other than EAL, or equivalent studies

Rankings and adjustment factors

Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on the assessment of their selection task.

Selection task

Semester 2, 2023

You must complete and submit the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology selection task.

NOTE: Applicants who have completed the Certificate IV in Design are not required to complete the Selection Task.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Selection task dates for direct applicants

If you are applying direct to RMIT, you must complete and submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application. Please see the Apply page for information on eligibility to apply direct.

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
Direct applicants 7 July 2023

Selection task requirements

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An applicant statement outlining how you believe your current skills and capabilities and/or experience will support you in this fashion program. (Maximum 250 words).

  • A folio of 6 to 10 images of your work demonstrating your interests and creative and conceptual thinking. It should reflect your design, problem-solving and technical skills in some or all of the following:
    • Garment construction
    • Pattern-making
    • Design
    • Drawing
    • Creative use of colour
    • Use of materials
    • Visual arts or graphics

Your folio should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished work. Include work that shows how you document your ideas and creative thinking and any work that demonstrates your potential to follow a design process. Your folio does not have to be garment or fashion-related, if you have studied a different folio-based subject, this may be submitted as your selection task.

You can include work from secondary school, previous study and personal or work-related design experience (including sketchbooks), and the work can come from a variety of discipline areas (e.g. garment construction, design, wearable art, illustrations, accessories, photography and any visual arts or craft skill).

Under each image provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words).

Submission instructions

A single PDF (maximum size 10MB). Include the page number, your full name, and application number on each page. 

OR

Provide a URL to your folio (please provide password if applicable). All images must be contained and visible on one webpage.

Selection criteria by applicant type

Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you, in addition to meeting the above entry requirements.

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You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school) qualification.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12

School Network Access Program (SNAP)

  • The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.

Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

  • The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

  • The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

You must have successfully completed an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).

Successful completion of the Certificate IV in Design guarantees entry into the Associate Degree in Design (Furniture).

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program.

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

  • The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

  • The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

You must have successfully completed at least two courses (subjects) in an Australian bachelor degree or four courses (subjects) in an Australian associate degree, or overseas equivalent.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and

  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and

  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

  • The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

  • The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites. You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:

  • are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and

  • have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and

  • have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program

STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.

You may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:

Equity access schemes

  • Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance. 
  • Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
  • If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
  • If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.

Elite Athlete Program

  • The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

  • The Indigenous Access Program supports your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.

Additional information

Expand all sections

Art and Design application tips

View the following videos for some practical application advice:

Female student looking at an art folio
Applying for Art and Design courses

Here's some advice for preparing folios and pre-selection kits to help make the process easier.

two students looking at artwork
Art and design selection interviews

Wondering how an art and design selection interview works? Here's everything you need to know.

View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this program wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in the most relevant recent intake period.

The student profile provides insight into the likely peer group for this program.

*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent Year 12 applicants.

RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options. Find out more about admission to RMIT.

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

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 60% (see calculator below).

Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.

Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.

Entry score calculator
Minimum Score Required

Don’t meet the requirements?

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

All applicants are required to complete and submit a selection task for this program. See below for full selection task details.

To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.0 (with no individual band below 5.5)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 60 (with minimum of 10 in Reading, 9 in Listening, 16 in Speaking and 19 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 50 (with no communication band less than 42)
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 169 with no less than 162 in any component.

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

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Selection task

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Semester 1, 2023

You must complete and submit the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology selection task.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Selection task dates for VTAC applicants

If you are applying via VTAC, you must complete and submit the selection task by the following dates:

VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by
Early round (Non year 12 only) 28 October 2022
Main round (All applicants) 2 December 2022
All subsequent rounds (if places are available) 16 December 2022

Selection task requirements

Applicant statement

An applicant statement outlining how you believe your current skills and capabilities and/or experience will support you in this fashion program. (Maximum 250 words).

Folio
  • A folio of 6 to 10 images of your work demonstrating your interests and creative and conceptual thinking. It should reflect your design, problem-solving and technical skills in some or all of the following:
    • Garment construction
    • Pattern-making
    • Design
    • Drawing
    • Creative use of colour
    • Use of materials
    • Visual arts or graphics

Your folio should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished work. Include work that shows how you document your ideas and creative thinking and any work that demonstrates your potential to follow a design process. Your folio does not have to be garment or fashion-related, if you have studied a different folio-based subject, this may be submitted as your selection task.

You can include work from secondary school, previous study and personal or work-related design experience (including sketchbooks), and the work can come from a variety of discipline areas (e.g. garment construction, design, wearable art, illustrations, accessories, photography and any visual arts or craft skill).

Under each image provide a brief explanation, including the purpose and background of the work (maximum 50 words).

Submission instructions

A single PDF (maximum size 10MB). Include the page number, your full name, and application number on each page. 

OR

Provide a URL to your folio (please provide password if applicable). All images must be contained and visible on one webpage.

Art and Design application tips

View the following videos for some practical application advice:

Female student looking at an art folio
Applying for Art and Design courses

Here's some advice for preparing folios and pre-selection kits to help make the process easier.

two students looking at artwork
Art and design selection interviews

Wondering how an art and design selection interview works? Here's everything you need to know.

Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 146kb) along with your application. 

Pathways

Animated character in front of RMIT pixel, with a flying degree above their head

Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

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There are pathways available into the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology.

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.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

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You are guaranteed entry into the Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology when you successfully complete one of the following RMIT programs:

Alternatively, you can gain entry from RMIT Foundation Studies or a range of vocational study programs.

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.

Upon successful completion of RMIT's Associate Degree in Fashion Design and Technology you may apply for entry into the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Fashion and Textiles (Sustainable Innovation) - if you are successful in receiving an offer you will receive 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 84 credit points)
  • Bachelor of Fashion (Design) – entry will be based on assessment of your completed pre-selection kit that must be submitted with your application. If you are successful in receiving an offer you will receive 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points)

Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT undergraduate programs.

Fees

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2023 indicative fees

In 2023, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,124 to AU$15,142*.

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 HECS-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.

Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.

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.

New government eligibility rules in 2022 - low completion rates

From 2022, there are new government rules about eligibility for higher education student funding as part of the Australian Government’s Job-ready Graduates legislation. If you're starting a program in or after 2022 and are enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or have a HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP loan, these changes affect you. For details, please see Low completion rate and government funding.

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

Student Learning Entitlement

On 1 January 2022, the Government implemented the Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).

  • The SLE allows students 7 years of full-time subsidised study in Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP).
  • Your total SLE amount will be reduced in accordance with your overall study load in a CSP. 
  • Once you have utilised all your SLE, you can not longer study in a CSP.

For more information about SLE, visit Study Assist.

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.

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 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.

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.

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$33,600.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2023 commencement is AU$68,160.

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.

More information
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