Vocational study

Can I transfer to RMIT from another TAFE or institution?

Yes! Students who are studying at another institution, TAFE or university can apply to study at RMIT and may be eligible to receive credit for your previous study.

Find out more about How to Transfer to RMIT.

How will my course be delivered in 2023?

The learning experience at RMIT will continue to be blended, so you can learn flexibly through digital content, enjoy many opportunities to interact with others and experience the amazing specialist equipment and spaces that RMIT has to offer.

Digital learning will be a core part of every student’s experience at RMIT. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other kinds of learning materials that you can access on demand via Canvas as you learn at your own pace.

You’ll also have lots of opportunities to have meaningful interactions with your teachers and fellow students via face-to-face timetabled classes such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals and workshops. Your assessments will be authentic, practical and relevant to your future work. There will be no face-to-face exams unless there is a professional accreditation requirement in your program.

As we continue to be disrupted by COVID-19, where necessary, some courses and programs will still have online class options so that students unable to come to campus can keep learning. If government advice no longer allows learning activities to take place on campus, you will also continue learning online or be offered an alternative option appropriate for your course.

How is vocational study different to a degree?

One important difference between TAFE courses and traditional university degrees is that TAFE adheres to the VET (Vocational Education and Training) approach, which means that learning is more practical in nature.

If you like to be practical – and prefer supported learning – then vocational study has you covered. But if you like to deep dive into research and enjoy independent learning, then a university degree would probably be more your style.

Alternatively, you can start with a vocational course and transfer to a bachelor or associate degree. As RMIT is one of six dual-sector universities in Australia, we offer recognised pathway options that give you the opportunity to study vocational courses that lead on to undergraduate study if you decide you want to explore further study.

What fees will I pay?

How much you’ll pay will depend on whether you’re offered a Victorian Government subsidised place (such as Free TAFE or JobTrainer) or a full-fee paying place.

You will be offered a government-subsidised place if you meet the eligibility criteria based on your citizenship, age and educational history. You must also live in Victoria during your studies.

If you don’t meet the criteria for a government-subsidised place, you’ll be offered a full-fee place.

Find your fee

The best and quickest way to check your fee amount is to enter the program code of your preferred course into the RMIT fee finder. If you don’t know what the program code is - you can find this code on the RMIT program’s webpage under the ‘Details’ section.

Do you offer a payment plan or loans?

The Australian Government provides financial assistance in the form of VET Student Loans for eligible students enrolling in eligible courses.

You can browse an online list of RMIT courses that are eligible for a VET Student Loans.

More information about vocational study fees.

How am I selected for entry into the course?

The Admissions section on each course page details the entry requirements relating to prerequisites and selection tasks for submission, if relevant.

What if I don’t meet the entry requirements for the course I want to study?

There's often more than one way to get into a degree so don’t worry if you don’t meet all the criteria at first. Study pathways provide opportunities for you to transfer from one course to another based on your previous educational experience.

RMIT also offers pre-university study that allows you to develop academic skills, improve your English or gain the confidence to study a university course.

Can I gain credit for my previous studies or work experience?

RMIT recognises prior learning, so if you want to improve your current knowledge or skill level, you don’t necessarily have to start at certificate to finally walk away with an advanced diploma. Being acknowledged for previous study may reduce the duration of your course and save you money.

When you apply you will be asked to note previous study which will be considered with your application. Once you’ve been made an offer you will need to fill out a credit application form and it will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Can I use a certificate or diploma to get into a Bachelor degree?

Some certificates and diplomas allow you to earn credit, or guaranteed entry into a degree at a later stage. There are a number of recognised pathway options so check your course or interest area to see what's offered.

I want to work while studying. What is the class timetable?

Every course is different, with our flexible learning options classes are available during the day, evening and weekends.

The timetable for our courses are not being finalised until applications have closed. However, as a student you will be able to access and manage your timetable by logging into the RMIT myTimetable system to select your classes.

Find more information about timetabling at RMIT.

What career support will RMIT offer me while I study?

At RMIT University we have a wide range of jobs and career resources to help you build your future career:

Free resumé and cover letter reviews
Help to find job opportunities
Careers workshops and events
Careers consultations and advice
Booking in a Careers Consultation
Learn more about job ready programs such as Future Edge, Industry Mentoring and Jobs on Campus

The RMIT Skills and Jobs Centre and the RMIT Job Shop have joined forces to offer a free careers service that caters to the needs of Vocational Education (VE) students.

For more information, please visit our Vocational Education Careers Support page.

What are RMIT University's Online Service Standards?

Please read the RMIT University – Online Service Standards (PDF) to find out more.

What’s the average time commitment?

On a full-time study load, our vocational education programs can range from six months to two years, depending on the level of study.

Certificates (I-IV) - 6 months to 1 year (excluding apprenticeships)
Diplomas - 1-2 years
Advanced diploma – 1-2 years

For students who wish to study full-time in a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma, classes generally run 3-4 days per week, and may include 20+ hours of classes weekly.

Part-time study requires roughly half the amount in class, which provides you with further flexibility to meet other commitments in your life.

What levels of study do you offer?

Our vocational study consists of the following study levels: certificates (I-IV), diplomas, and advanced diplomas. We also have apprenticeship programs and traineeships available.

What are the important dates and deadlines for vocational study?

Follow these steps to apply for a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma program:

Check the application dates to see when to apply.
Ensure you meet all of the entry requirements.
See if you are eligible for a government subsidised place.
When you're ready, select the Apply link from the program you wish to study and start your journey with RMIT.
If applicable, complete the selection tasks for your program.
For the best chance of success, submit your application by the deadline for timely applications.

What are the application dates and deadlines?

Semester 1, 2023

Applications for Semester 1 are open until February. However, some courses have timely application dates and may have already closed. Check the application dates page for more information on which courses are already closed.

Applications will be accepted for each course until all places are filled, so ensure you apply as early as possible for your application to be considered. Late applications may result in a delayed class commencement.

Semester 2 (Midyear)

Midyear applications open on Monday 1 May 2023.

Applications will be accepted for each course until all places are filled, so ensure you apply as early as possible for your application to be considered. Late applications may result in a delayed class commencement. However, some courses have timely close dates that you will need to submit your application by.

Semester 1, 2024

Direct applications will open in August 2024. Applications will continue to be accepted for some programs after this date, however they are subject to close at any time after the official application deadline.

Do you offer apprenticeships and traineeships?

RMIT offers apprenticeships and traineeships at the certificate and diploma level of study, and across a range of fields. These include building and construction, clothing and textiles, social science, electronic and communications engineering, trades and technology, and health services.

For more information, please visit our apprenticeship and traineeship programs page.

How to apply for an apprenticeship and traineeship program

To undertake a Victorian apprenticeship or traineeship, you must have a job in the industry, register with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network Provider (Apprenticeship Network) and nominate RMIT as your preferred Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We'll contact you as soon as we're notified by the Apprenticeship Network.

How do I get industry experience while I study?

Here at RMIT, we have a range of partnerships with leading organisations to make sure your course is designed to give you knowledge and practical skills that are relevant and connected to the needs of your industry.

Some courses will help you strengthen your industry connections through Work-Integrated Learning, ranging from working on real or simulated industry projects, to undergoing practical placements. You can also participate in internships, find work, and volunteer to build your work experience.

For more information, please visit our Jobs, careers and industry experiences page.

Are vocational courses online or on campus?

Courses are delivered either completely online, blended (online and on campus), or completely on campus. Where your course has practical components, the expectation is that this will be completed on campus to ensure you get the most out of your course. However, all programs will be delivered in a manner that is in line with COVIDSafe campus protocols.

You can find more information on how the program is delivered by having a browse of the ‘How you will learn’ section on your course page.

Vocational study