Information for parents & guardians

Information for parents & guardians

Supporting your child's journey to university starts in high school. We're here to guide you through the steps with all the resources and information you need to support their transition to university.

Supporting your child's journey to university starts in high school. We're here to guide you through the steps with all the resources and information you need to support their transition to university.

Why RMIT university?

A university education can set the trajectory of your childs future professional career by providing access to the knowledge and skills that employers demand, as well as opportunities to build lifelong connections with peers and industry.

At RMIT, your child will be set up for success with the support services to seamlessly transition from high school to university, opportunities for overseas study and work to broaden their mind and career outlook, and the flexibility to tailor their studies to match their interests and career goals. Our courses are designed in collaboration with industry to ensure that your child graduates with the practical and transferrable skills to launch their career. 

QS World University Rankings 2026

=125 globally
10 in Australia

QS Subject Rankings 2025 – Australia

1 Art & Design
1 Architecture / Built Environment
5 Communications & Media Studies
7 Engineering (Electrical & Electronic)

RMIT international students walking and talking on Swanston St

Supporting your child's journey into university

Is your child in their final years of high school and thinking about their future career goals? How your child journeys through high school can have an influence on their tertiary studies. If you haven’t started talking with your child before this point or your child doesn’t know what they want to do after high school, we're here to guide you through the process and what to expect, no matter what stage.

Learn about prerequisites

Some courses require prerequisites to ensure a base level of understanding of the topics covered and indicate that your child has a preexisting interest. If they aren't interested in the VCE subjects that are prerequisites, then this might be a good indication that this course is not for them.

Often there are prerequisites that may not align with what your child thinks of their desired course and career path but are crucial to be competent in the workforce. For example, if your child has shown interest in nursing as they want to help people, they should be aware that a workplace competency will be in measuring medications, so a prerequisite of maths is required for this course.

VCE subject selections and Open Days

Year 10 is a great time to soak in all the information that starts to roll in and keep it in your back pocket. It’s an exciting time when your child will start being exposed to their future options, their interests and strength areas may become more apparent, and work experience will allow them to see what the working world is really like.

Subject selection for VCE will happen later in the year, so begin Year 10 by starting conversations with your child and gathering up resources to start your preparation.

University Open Days and expos are great places to seek advice on subject selection, so head to one of these with your child to kickstart the conversations.

Group of students sitting outdoors on campus

Your child's guide for choosing VCE subjects

University preparation includes knowing which VCE subjects to select. We’ve put together the tips to help your child get started and make VCE subject selection easier.

Get tips for choosing VCE subjects

Learn about VCE and university options

Year 11 is the beginning of VCE for most students, which means their chosen subjects may be the start of obtaining the prerequisites required for their future university course.

In Year 11 your child's chosen subjects give them the base knowledge for studying a subject more in-depth in Year 12. Sometimes students need to have studied the Year 11 equivalent subject to study it in Year 12, which contributes to their ATAR. Their ATAR determines whether they will be able to study their preferred university course at an undergraduate level. Additionally, your child may need a certain ATAR and have studied the Year 12 subject to get in (also known as a prerequisite), so it is best to start thinking about how your child’s subjects align to university courses early. If your child decides they want to study something they didn’t do the right subjects for during school, RMIT’s pathway options help bridge the gap. They’ll be studying for the career they are after in no time.

Year 11 provides the opportunity to establish positive study habits, embrace the resources available to them at school surrounding careers, and begin exploring university options. It’s a great time to support them in their exploration at expos, Open Days and online forums.

VTAC preferences, Change of Preference and offers

It’s all happening in Year 12 and a range of experiences and feelings are normal for your child during this time. 

Year 12 is a great time for you to equip yourself with practical knowledge on things like pathways, scholarships and SNAP, which will be very useful as your child starts to make the big study decisions. It's also useful to learn about VTAC course information and Change of Preference to learn about how to submit VTAC course preferences and key dates for when VTAC releases offers and how to reorder preferences.

open-day-2025-opt2-1220x732.jpg

Find your future at Open Day

RMIT Open Day will open your mind. Join us on campus this August to get hands-on and experience how we're getting you ready for what's next.

Register now

There’s more than one way into a degree

Helping your child explore course options that match their interests or dream career plays a big role in setting goals to keep them motivated throughout high school. As a parent, you can guide them through understanding the courses and pathways they can choose from, including the differences between vocational and undergraduate study.

Undergraduate study is generally broader in subject matter and more theory-based, typically taking 3-4 years to complete, resulting in a bachelor-level qualification. Vocational education focuses on equipping your child with practical skills to get them ready for a specific job quickly. Vocational courses, also known as TAFE, can take as little as 6-12 months to complete and can be used as a pathway into a degree. 

Female student holding stylus to use on laptop while browsing the pathways finder tool.

Help your child explore pathway options

As the largest dual-sector university in Australia, RMIT offers a broad range of pathways that allow your child to transfer from a vocational or TAFE course to a degree. Even if they don’t meet the required prerequisites or ATAR, they can still achieve their dream degree through our pathways.

Explore pathways

How to apply for courses at RMIT

Male student wearing personal protective gear holding hammer to hit nail into wood frames.

Apprenticeships and traineeships

Is your child interested in applying for an apprenticeship or traineeship but unsure of how to get started? Follow this useful guide to learn how to find an employer and complete their training agreement.
Learn more about applications
Students wearing earmuffs talk to each other in a recording studio.

Certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas

Does your child want to upskill or pathway into a degree through a certificate, diploma or advanced diploma? Learn about the steps involved to help them get started with their application via VTAC or direct to RMIT.
Learn more about applications
Two RMIT pharmacy students create compound medication in a practice pharmacy.

Undergraduate degrees

Has your child decided on a degree that will help them reach their career goals? Learn the steps that they will need to follow to apply for a bachelor, associate or honours degree.
Learn more about applications

Upcoming events

International students connect and collaborate on Bundoora campus

RMIT On Tour

RMIT is coming to a regional town near you. This is your chance to learn everything you need to know about RMIT without needing to come to Melbourne.

Diverse group of tech and trade students in RMIT class rooms

Tech and Trades Experience Day

Ever wanted to learn to build cities, or prevent cybercrime? Register today for a free hands-on workshop at Tech and Trades Experience Day.

International students walking and discussing on campus.

RMIT Open Day

Join us on campus this August to get hands-on and experience how we're getting you ready for what's next.

Housing and support options

When the time comes for your child to fly from the nest, you’ll both be feeling nervous and excited. Ensuring you have all the right information to help your child transition to a more independent life can be daunting, but RMIT offers plenty of support, options and resources to help make the transition smooth so your child can embrace this next exciting chapter! 

Accomodation

See what safe and affordable housing options are available for your child when they move to Melbourne.

Moving to Melbourne

Here’s how we support the safety and well-being of your child once they begin their learning journey at RMIT.

Locations

Discover RMIT's campus locations in Australia and Vietnam and partners overseas.

Explore more information for parents

RMIT student

Equitable learning and disability support that empowers RMIT students

RMIT’s Equitable Learning Services (ELS) provide learning and disability support that empowers students to achieve their goals.

Two students standing in front of a holosense machine

Five changes your teen will experience after Year 12

That exciting ‘leaving the nest’ moment is finally here. Here's what you can expect.

Parent and future student looking at RMIT branded booklet

The important questions to ask at RMIT’s Open Day

Learn everything there is to know about starting uni by asking all the right questions at RMIT University’s Open Day.

Are you a parent or guardian of a high school student overseas?

If you're a parent from overseas, you can find all the information and resources needed to help prepare your child to study in Australia.

 

Ready to help your teen discover what’s next?

Chat to our friendly team about any questions or queries you have about programs, applications, pathways and more.

Get in touch
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information