Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)

UNDERGRADUATE

Shape the way our world communicates. Learn how spaces and sectors can be utilised to effectively start important conversations.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Range of criteria*

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Fees:

Commonwealth supported places

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

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Fees:

AU$42,240 (2024 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

This degree prepares you to be a locally and internationally aware communication designer capable of working across a range of domains and industries, including graphic design, advertising, branding and illustration consultancies, as well as design and communication units within corporate, government and non-government organisations.

You’ll learn skills alongside a strong selection of peers in studio-based facilities. Throughout the degree, you will develop the ability to negotiate consensus among participants with a range of interests in the design outcome. You will also learn how a visual strategy can contribute to all phases of the problem-solving process.

Why study communication design at RMIT?

Practical learning

Immerse yourself in hands-on studio learning from the very beginning of your degree.

Professional connections

Work on projects with industry partners, attend trade events and join our mentor scheme.

Global opportunities

Boost your career prospects and expand your network by studying overseas for a semester.

I got to try different kinds of design: branding design, packaging, typography, screen design, even exhibition design. Learning all of them allowed me to discover my interests and specialise in areas I wanted to further explore.
Portrait of Fabio Hutagalung, Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) at RMIT - Fabio Hutagalung, Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) at RMIT

Details

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Learning and teaching

This course has a strong focus on studio learning, enabling you to learn by doing. All lecturers have worked in the design industry throughout their careers, and will offer you key insights into the contemporary design world.

Most of the work is individually assessed through submission of printed artefacts (books, logo, objects), digital submissions, class presentations, and client and peer review of work.

Assessment methods

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.

RMIT runs an internal mentor scheme, as well as a number of industry events where students and design professionals work together on projects or professional practice.

This course maintains strong industry links, and many opportunities exist for students to work with industry professionals.

You will work on projects with industry partners, including:

  • Australian Graphic Design Association
  • Penguin Books
  • Deloitte
  • Kit Cosmetics
  • Hardie Grant
  • Jacky Winter Group
  • ABC
  • CFA
  • Roger Seller
  • de Bono Institute
  • MECCA.

Students have the option to study overseas for a semester as an exchange or study abroad student. Past students have studied in North America and Europe. As design is an international language, your skills will equip you to work in the Australian design industry as well as overseas.

This course is also delivered as a top-up in Singapore in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Management.

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 degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

In the first two semesters, you are taught in a series of assigned sequential, interrelated projects, which cover a broad spectrum of communication design activities.

The following four semesters see you participate in a range of design and communication studios that support the sequential study pattern of this course.

Software delivery is taught in association with the design process, rather than in isolation. On completion of the degree, your software knowledge will be of industry standard for print and digital media.

Major areas of study are:

  • communication strategies
  • conceptual thinking
  • design process
  • media
  • publication
  • strategic branding
  • typography.

You can also undertake study in courses within other media, design and communication programs as electives or interdisciplinary projects.

Course structure

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

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)
Program code: BP115
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)
City Campus
3 years full-time (6 semesters)
BP115P04
012348F
Location
City Campus
Duration
3 years full-time (6 semesters)
Plan code
BP115P04
CRICOS
012348F
View plan
Bachelor of Design (Communication Design)
City Campus
3 years full-time
BP115P04
012348F
Location
City Campus
Duration
3 years full-time
Plan code
BP115P04
CRICOS
012348F
View plan

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

Career

RMIT graduates are sought after by industry, with a high employment rate upon graduation.

Students are taught strong business and strategy skills, and as such, they are also employed in non-studio workplaces due to their ability to assist with the overall business strategy and service process.

Potential careers

Graduates can expect to work within graphic design consultancies, multi-disciplined consultancies, publishing houses, new media/multimedia studios and advertising agencies as:

  • art directors
  • graphic designers
  • communication designers
  • web designers/ UX designers
  • freelancers
  • interaction designers
  • service designers
  • experience designers.

Admissions

You must have successfully completed the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) (or equivalent qualification).

Prerequisites

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4:

  • a study score of at least 25 in English other than EAL; or
  • a study score of at least 30 in English (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

You must complete and submit the Communication Design selection task.

Selection task dates

Selection task dates for VTAC applicants

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

VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by
All VTAC applicants 17 November 2023
Selection task dates for direct applicants

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
All direct applicants 17 November 2023

Selection task requirements

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Describe how your interests and experience will contribute to the RMIT Communication Design community. Interest and experience can include any employment, voluntary work, etc (maximum 200 words).

Describe an aspect of your local or broader community where design could have a positive impact and how you think this could be achieved (maximum 200 words). 

Provide examples of your projects (up to a maximum of four pages in total) that best demonstrate your creative passion including both development work and finished work.

Provide a written statement (maximum 200 words) about your project that covers the motivation and aims behind the project and how this project reflects your values and passions. If you are submitting multiple projects, the statement is for only one of the chosen projects. 

Submission instructions

You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any materials, content, or ideas related to this selection task. ChatGPT and other similar AI tools must not be used for any written work.

Your folio should be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 4MB). The maximum pages allowed is four. 

If you would like to upload film or sound-based work, please ensure that file types are common (maximum file size 4MB, maximum duration 4 minutes).

Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your work. Please provide a username and/or password if applicable.

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early 2024 for programs with a midyear intake. 

You must complete and submit the Communication Design selection task.

Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date below, 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

The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application. 

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applicants TBC

Selection task requirements

Selection task requirements will be available early 2024 for programs with a midyear intake.

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).

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice and achieving a minimum overall score of 156.

Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education and training 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.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

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 and achieving a minimum overall score of 156.

Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study.

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.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

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.

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice and achieving a minimum overall score of 156.

Your STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study.

If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with work and 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.

You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.

Learn more about the STAT and STAT results.

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 a qualification recognised by RMIT as equivalent to the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) with a minimum average of 65% (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.

Selection task by applicant type

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Semester 1, 2024

You must complete and submit the Communication Design selection task.

Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date below, 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

VTAC round Register and submit the selection task by

VTAC international applicants

 17 November 2023

Selection task requirements

Applicant statement

Describe how your interests and experience will contribute to the RMIT Communication Design community. Interest and experience can include any employment, voluntary work, etc (maximum 200 words).

Describe an aspect of your local or broader community where design could have a positive impact and how you think this could be achieved (maximum 200 words). 

Folio

Provide examples of your projects (up to a maximum of four pages in total) that best demonstrate your creative passion including both development work and finished work.

Provide a written statement (maximum 200 words) about your project that covers the motivation and aims behind the project and how this project reflects your values and passions. If you are submitting multiple projects, the statement is for only one of the chosen projects.

Submission instructions

You must not use any Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to generate any materials, content, or ideas related to this selection task. ChatGPT and other similar AI tools must not be used for any written work.

Your folio should be collated in a single PDF (maximum size 4MB). The maximum pages allowed is four. 

If you would like to upload film or sound-based work, please ensure that file types are common (maximum file size 4MB, maximum duration 4 minutes).

All file names must be in the format:

Application number_Surname_Project number (e.g. 12365478L_Smith_Project 2.jpg). 

Alternatively, you can provide a URL to your work. Please provide a username and/or password if applicable.

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.

Semester 1, 2025

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2024. 

Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 123kb) along with your application. 

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

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 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 Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

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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This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.

From 2021 to 2023, successful completion of RMIT's Associate Degree in Graphic Design with an overall GPA of at least 2.5 out of 4 guarantees entry into this program with 192 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 2 years full-time study). Graduates of the RMIT's Associate Degree in Graphic Design who do not meet the guaranteed entry requirements may still apply and will be required to attend a folio presentation.

From 2024, successful completion of RMIT's Associate Degree in Graphic Design guarantees entry into this program with 144 credit points of exemptions (equivalent to 1.5 years full-time study). 

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.

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.

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You are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) from a range of RMIT programs. Successful completion and the grades you achieve determine the amount of credit you will receive.

When you successfully complete the Diploma of Graphic Design you will receive 1 semester of advanced standing (equivalent to 48 credit points)

When you successfully complete the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design, you will receive 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points).

From 2021 to 2023, when you achieve a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0) in the Associate Degree in Graphic Design, you will receive 4 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 192 credit points). If you achieve below the minimum GPA, you may still apply and will need to participate in a folio presentation. You will be assessed on a case by case basis and entry is not guaranteed.

From 2024, successful completion of the Associate Degree in Graphic Design guarantees entry into the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) with 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points). 

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

Coming from a partner institution?

RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world.

If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program.

Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT

If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

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.

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Honours or Postgraduate degree.

Fees

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2024 indicative fees

In 2024, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$4,445 to AU$16,323*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024.
  • 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.

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 2024. 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 2024 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)

Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2024
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture $4,445 per standard year
$555 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 $8,948 per standard year
$1,118 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science $12,720 per standard year
$1,590 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture $16,323 per standard year
$2,040 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 2024 is $351.  

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 2024 is AU$42,240.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$131,520.

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