Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

Overview

Are you interested in industrial design? Would you like to create change? This discipline shapes the world we live in.

Industrial designers have the ability to affect change and create powerful solutions that improve both human and environmental health and wellbeing.

Exploring the trans-disciplinary nature of contemporary industrial design. You'll engage in practical learning through our practice-based design studios, co-creating solutions through a human centred approach to product, service and experience design contexts.

For over 70 year’s industrial design at RMIT has offered aspiring designers ground breaking experiences through technical, theoretical and applied immersions into the diverse and dynamic fields of industrial design practice. Working on real-world problems in industry and community contexts, this hands on educational experience culminates in a year-long honours design research project.

You will develop a design practice through:

the design of sustainable products, services and systems
design as a mechanism for enabling social reform and cultural enrichment
commercial and aesthetically-focused approaches to product, transportation and furniture design
technologically and materially mediated interactions and experiences
the possibilities of form, process and material in response to rapid technological advances
operating at the intersections of our digital and material worlds
using design as a conduit to address social sustainability, cultural awareness and the wellbeing of clients, users and communities

Portrait of Beatrice Zly, Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

Beatrice Zly - Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours). Product Packaging Designer at Aēsop

RMIT taught me the practical skills to become a good designer. Above all, I was given the space to apply critical thinking, to realise that design transcends the creation of beautiful objects.

Centred around a design studio model, you are equipped with unique ways to explore ideas. You'll also challenge conventional paradigms through engaging with local and international design practitioners and build industry networks throughout your studies. These life-changing educational experiences culminate in both social and entrepreneurial approaches to design. You'll gain an adaptive knowledge of making, materials, process, technology, culture and the environment.

Guaranteed Pathway options available

Didn't get the ATAR you needed? Guaranteed Pathways lets you preference pathway packages in VTAC so you can secure your place in your goal degree and graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

Details

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How you will learn

Design studios are at the core of your studies.

Throughout all levels of this course you will engage in creative, industry partnered and research-led learning through design studio projects.

What is a design studio?

Design studios provide a unique way of exploring ideas by challenging designers. They are run by academics and practicing leaders from architectural and design firms. The design studio model emulates the best practice of design firms. They allow you to explore design, and connect with your peers, industry and integrate with other disciplines.

You will choose your studios from a range of options offered each semester. Studio offerings have the following orientations:

Service orientation, where the focus is sustainability, social innovation, health, transport, and community engagement.
Technology orientation where the focus is universal design and ergonomics, manufacturing, technical innovation and prototyping.
Object orientation, where the focus is furniture, lighting and objects for the home.
Digital orientation, where the focus is on emerging digital technologies, computer-aided design (AutoCAD), and coding and interaction design.

Final honours year project

Using your studio experiences, you’ll undertake a complex design research project in your final year. Your project will be showcased to the design industry and community at the Graduate Exhibition, which celebrates the industrial design discipline and its future through the work of emerging designers.

Learn from local and international design practitioners

You’ll learn from academics and lecturers who are practising designers connected with the design industry and community. The teaching staff are engaged in areas of research and offer expertise in different fields, and this knowledge will help to shape your design journey.

Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.

Industry connections

Build industry networks throughout your studies.

This course provides scope for you to engage in real world projects within industry and community organisations. It focuses on developing innovative designers to practice in emerging technological, sustainable and social domains of industrial design.

Past students have partnered in the design and research departments of the following industries:

Automotive (Ford, Toyota and GM Holden)
Technology (Philips, Spatial Architecture)
Information Laboratory
Industrial design (Charlwood Design, Catalyst,Buro North)
Manufacturing (Crumpler, Knog, Planex, BlackMagic)
Service design (Deloitte, Victorian Legal Aid, Vic Roads, Australian Taxation Office)

International opportunities

Industrial design students have the opportunity to do exchange at partner universities in India, China, South Korea, and other centres of manufacturing, or work with industrial design students from other parts of the world.

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.

Explore global opportunities

Learning outcomes

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.

Electives and course plan

Year 1-3 core courses will be undertaken on the City Campus while year 4 core courses will be undertaken on the Brunswick campus. Program options courses may be delivered on the City or Brunswick campus.

Year 1

Provides foundational exposures to the methods and nature of the designed form, and the socio-cultural factors of design and designing.

Year 2

Sees an increase of the technical, technological and contextual complexity by which design activity is to be considered, and provides avenues of choice in industrial design practice.

Year 3

Significantly defines individual design capabilities and interests by providing a variety of design studio and elective topics.

Year 4

Provides the challenge of defining and demonstrating an area of professional engagement through a year-long, research-led and industry-engaged design project. This experience acts as a scaffold for entry into the profession, and opens up opportunities beyond graduation.

Course structure

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

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

Program code: BH104

Title

Location

Duration

Plan code

CRICOS

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

City Campus

4 years full-time

BH104P15

080225J

Location

City Campus

Duration

4 years full-time

Plan code

BH104P15

CRICOS

080225J

View plan

Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours)

City Campus

4 years full-time

BH104P15

080225J

Location

City Campus

Duration

4 years full-time

Plan code

BH104P15

CRICOS

080225J

View plan

VTAC Code

If you are eligible to apply via VTAC, copy and paste the below code into VTAC search.

Plan BH104P15 - 3200632361

Please ensure that you have checked the admissions requirements and apply page before applying.

VTAC Code

If you are eligible to apply via VTAC, copy and paste the below code into VTAC search.

Plan BH104P15 - 3200632363

Please ensure that you have checked the admissions requirements and apply page before applying.

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

Find RMIT on VTAC

Career

Graduates work in a broad range of contexts and settings relevant to new enterprise development, design innovation and the development of contemporary cities.

They can find work in product and manufacturing companies, in consultancy, entertainment, education, cultural and services sectors, and for research institutions.

Cross-disciplinary designers work in emerging fields of design practice, others start and run their own design or product-producing businesses.

The course prepares graduates to undertake Masters by Research or PhD after successful completion of this degree.

Graduate successes

Below are some examples of industrial design graduates shaping the design world:

Mike Simcoe
Vice President of Global Design General Motors, USA
Laura Morrison and Jaide-Scarlet Begg
Service Design Analysts at Deloitte Digital
Kyle Armstrong
Industrial Designer at Katapult Design
Adrian Spagnuolo
Product Designer at Colorific, a toy design and development distributor
Jiazhen Chen
Industrial Designer at Wild Design, Shanghai, China
Luca Abate
Industrial Designer at Blackmagic Design.

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Professional recognition and accreditation

Design Institute of Australia – students are eligible for student membership and graduates are eligible for full membership
International Interaction Designers Association (IxDA) – students and graduates are eligible for membership
Association of Women Industrial Designers (AWID) – students and graduates are eligible for membership.

Graduates are also eligible for membership of the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand.

Admissions

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

Prerequisites

Minimum prerequisite ATAR of 54.00.

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 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, 2022

You must complete and submit the Industrial Design selection task.

Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the 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.

Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

Selection task dates

Applicant type	Register and submit the selection task
All applicants	15 July 2022

Apply now and submit your selection task

Selection task requirements

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Applicant statement

Why do you want to study Industrial Design at RMIT? We want to know more about you, including extra curricular activities or any work experience you have completed.

If you are not currently completing year 12, include what you have been doing since finishing secondary school.

Please do not limit yourself to design related activities, we are interested in a broad range of experiences. (Maximum 350 words)

Folio

Provide a folio of projects or activities that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your interests and experiences. This could include projects undertaken within formal study, hobbies, and volunteer or paid work, or any relevant activity that gives an insight into your design capabilities.

Choose one of the options below:

Option 1: Design projects

Provide 3 - 5 projects of work. Each project file must include the following:

The title of the project and the year(s) with an image of the finished work
A short description of the work (if you don’t know what to write- start with What is it, Why did I do it and How did I do it?) 50-100 words
Research or inspiration (1-2 pages)
Sketching or Concept models (1-3) pages
Development of the final outcome- some process of making. This can be more refined models or prototypes, CAD or other software programs (2-4 pages)
Final Outcome (1-2 pages) with self reflection on project

Option 2: Life or work experience

If you have done paid or volunteer work or have life experience that you think is worth showing you may want to describe and/or visualise those outcomes or experiences. This can be one project or a number of different experiences.

Submission instructions

Upload your work as a single PDF. Maximum size 4MB
Film or sound based: Ensure that file types are common (maximum size 4MB).
The file name must be in the format: Experience_your surname (e.g. Experience_Smith.PDF)

Provide a URL. Please provide a username or password if applicable.

You can optimize the size of your PDFs through Adobe Acrobat or make sure your images are not large file sizes.

Semester 1, 2023

Selection task details and submission dates will be available on 1 August 2022.

Selection criteria by applicant type

The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.

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I am an applicant with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)

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.
This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
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.

I am an applicant with Vocational Education and Training study

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.

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.
This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
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.

I am an applicant with Higher Education study

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

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.
This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
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.

I am an applicant with Work and Life 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

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.
This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
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:

Applying for Art and Design courses

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

Art and design selection interviews

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

ATAR profile

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.

View ATAR profile

Student profile

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

View student profile

*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 RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.

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

Academic requirements

You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or an equivalent senior secondary school qualification with a minimum average of 70% (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

Select a study location*

Select a qualification gained*

Minimum Score Required

Don’t meet the requirements?

Learn about your pathway options

Prerequisites

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

Selection tasks*

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

English language requirements

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.

Selection task

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Selection tasks for students completing year 12 in Australia and applying through VTAC

Semester 1, 2022

Applications are now closed for Semester 1 2022.

Selection task dates

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

VTAC round	Submission due date
Main round (All applicants)	19 November 2021
All subsequent rounds (if places are available)	17 January 2022

Submit via VTAC

Selection task requirements

Applicant statement

Why do you want to study Industrial Design at RMIT? We want to know more about you, including extra curricular activities or any work experience you have completed.

If you are not currently completing year 12, include what you have been doing since finishing secondary school.

Please do not limit yourself to design related activities, we are interested in a broad range of experiences. (Maximum 350 words)

Folio

A folio of projects or activities that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your interests and experiences. This could include projects undertaken within formal study, hobbies, and volunteer or paid work, or any relevant activity that gives an insight into your design capabilities.

Choose one of the options below:

Option 1: Design projects

Provide 3 - 5 projects of work. Each project file must include the following:

The title of the project and the year(s) with an image of the finished work
A short description of the work (if you don’t know what to write- start with What is it, Why did I do it and How did I do it?) 50-100 words
Research or inspiration (1-2 pages)
Sketching or Concept models (1-3) pages
Development of the final outcome- some process of making. This can be more refined models or prototypes, CAD or other software programs (2-4 pages)
Final Outcome (1-2 pages) with self reflection on project

Option 2: Life or work experience

Submission instructions

Upload your work as a single PDF. Maximum size 4MB
Film or sound based: Ensure that file types are common (maximum size 4MB).
The file name must be in the format: Experience_your surname (e.g. Experience_Smith.PDF)

Provide a URL. Please provide a username or password if applicable.

You can optimize the size of your PDFs through Adobe Acrobat or make sure your images are not large file sizes.

Semester 1, 2023

Selection task details and submission dates will be available on 1 August 2022.

Art and Design application tips

View the following videos for some practical application advice:

Applying for Art and Design courses

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

Art and design selection interviews

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

Selection tasks for all other international students

Pre-selection kit: You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 105kb) 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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Pathway options

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

View pathway details

Guaranteed pathways

Guaranteed Pathways available

Didn't get the ATAR you needed for entry into this degree?

At RMIT we've got your back, with a range study options to help you achieve your goals, no matter your ATAR.

Guaranteed Pathways gives you the option to preference pathway packages in VTAC.

If you apply and are successful in gaining a place in a Guaranteed Pathway package, you will progress straight into the Bachelor Degree upon successful completion of the relevant vocational degree (otherwise known as TAFE) first.

With a Guaranteed Pathway package, you can graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

Find out more about Guaranteed Pathways

Further study

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

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.

Find out if you might be eligible

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Pathway options

You are guaranteed entry into the Bachelor of Industrial Design (Honours) with credit when you successfully complete the following programs:

Associate Degree in Design (Furniture), 3 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 144 credit points)
Diploma of Product Design, 2 semesters of advanced standing (equivalent to 96 credit points).

Alternatively, you can gain entry from RMIT Foundation Studies.

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 and recognition of prior learning

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.

Further study

When you successfully complete this program, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT postgraduate program or RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

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Fee summary

2022 indicative fees

In 2022, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$3,985 to AU$14,630*.

Additional expenses

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
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.

Commonwealth supported places

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 commencing their program in 2022. 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 2022 for commencing students

Student contribution band by course (subject)	Maximum annual student contribution amount (per EFTSL) in 2022
Education, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology, English, Mathematics, Statistics, Nursing, Indigenous and Foreign Languages, Agriculture	$3,985 per standard year $498 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	$8,021 per standard year $1,002 per standard (12 credit point) course
Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Science	$11,401 per standard year $1,425 per standard (12 credit point) course
Law, Accounting, Administration, Economics, Commerce, Communications, Society and Culture	$14,630 per standard year $1,828 per standard (12 credit point) course

Fee assistance

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.

Additional expenses

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 2022 is $315.

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.

Scholarships

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

Explore scholarships

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Fee summary

The annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$42,240.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$180,480.

View tuition fees for future years

Other costs

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

Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
Some programs incur additional expenses.

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

Important fee information

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.

Scholarships

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

Explore scholarships

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.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions