International Students
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RMIT has around 9000 onshore and 6500 offshore international students. In total, international students make up roughly 25% of all RMIT enrolments.
At RMIT there are many services and policies aimed at supporting and informing International Students of their rights and responsibilities.
Being An International Student at RMIT
There are many rules and regulations that govern your rights and responsibilities as a student studying in Australia.
Some of these include:
* You must remain enrolled as a full time student at all times
* You must attend 80% of classes
* If you have condition 8506 labelled in your visa, you must notify the Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIaC) and RMIT University at least two working days before you move to your new address
* If you have condition 8533 labelled in your visa you must notify RMIT University within 7 days of arrival. If you change address you must notify RMIT within 7 days of moving to the new address
* You must meet satisfactory academic progress requirements
You should consult with RMIT International (Building 108, Bourke St site) or call them on the numbers listed below if you require further information about your status as an International Student at RMIT
Your Rights
As a student at RMIT you have the right:
* To be given accurate and up to date information about RMIT procedures and your Program
* To have a say about how your course is taught and to expect that your course will not be changed without prior consultation with students
* To question unfair assessment results and to appeal the result if necessary
* Not to be charged arbitrary or excessive fees
* To study in a safe and healthy environment, free from prejudice, violence and harassment
* To access services and facilities on the same basis as local students
* To be given academic consideration if your studies are affected by health problems or other factors that are beyond your control
* To make a complaint and to have it seriously investigated and responded to
Asking For Help
It is OK to ask for help or support. RMIT provides free and confidential support services for all enrolled students to use. It is better to ask for help before everything becomes too overwhelming and too difficult to manage. You will not be able to study successfully if you are stressed, depressed or worried about a personal issue in your life. Going to the Counselling Service is a very useful exercise for most students. The service is strictly confidential and no one will be told that you have been there.
If you have an ongoing temporary or permanent medical condition or incapacitation, including stress, anxiety or depression, that affects your ability to attend classes or meet assessment deadlines, you should contact the Disability Liaison Unit for support immediately. The Disability Liaison Unit is a free and confidential service. A Disability Liaison Officer will discuss your needs with you and can provide a range of recommendations to your department about adjustments they can make to support you.
VISA Information
New Government Regulations introduced in July 2007- the Educational Services for Overseas student Act (ESOS Act) - means that you can get reported to DIAC for unsatisfactory progress, for example, failing a number of courses. The ESOS Act also means that your academic progress can have an impact on your ability to continue as a student at RMIT or to keep your student visa. Under the ESOS Act, if you are reported to DIAC it is very likely that your visa will be cancelled.
In addition, failure to put in a Special Consideration Application can impact on your academic progress review and future appeal applications.
TAFE and pre-University students can also be reported if you fail to meet the 80% attendance requirements of your visa.
If you’re concerned about your visa requirements, or receive any information from DIAC or RMIT that you’re unsure about, you should see a Student Advisor in your Faculty or Department, at ISIS or a Student Liaison Officer at the Student Union immediately for information and advice.
Frequently Asked Questions for International Students
This information is an extract from the RMIT International “FAQs” site. The following points relate to the ESOS Act and your academic performance in your program:
What academic progress must I make to meet student visa requirements?
The Australian Government expects international students to progress through their studies at a pace that will ensure completion within the standard duration of a program for which a visa is granted.
For example, if your program requires three years of full-time study, your visa will have been granted for three academic years and you will be expected to complete your program within this time period.
What is 'unsatisfactory progress'?
The Australian Government's specific requirements state that international students' academic progress may be regarded as unsatisfactory if it appears likely that the program will not be successfully completed within the minimum standard time due to the failure of a number of courses.
RMIT University has specific policies governing unsatisfactory academic progress.
What should I do if I think my academic progress might be 'unsatisfactory'?
You should contact your Program Coordinator or your School or Departmental International Student Advisor to discuss your progress as soon as possible.
The following points relate to the ESOS Act and your attendance:
Is attendance monitored?
Attendance is monitored in TAFE and Pre-University programs like Foundation Studies, ELICOS programs and VCE. **note: if you are a Higher Education student, some lecturers may monitor attendance. Check your course guide for details and/or check with your Course Coordinator**
Is there a minimum attendance requirement?
All students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled contact hours. This is a condition of international student visas issued by the Australian Government.
What happens if I am a TAFE / Foundation Studies / ELICOS / VCE student and my attendance falls below 80%?
Your Program Coordinator will attempt to contact you, either by phone or email. If you do not respond, a formal letter will be sent via registered mail to your address requesting an interview. You will be required to provide reasons for non-attendance. You may also be required to enter into a negotiated plan of action so that you do not go beneath the 80%. If you do not respond to the formal written letter or fail to comply with the plan of action, the School will forward advice to the Student Visa Coordinator at International Services. International Services will then inform you of its intention to report information about the breach of the student visa to DIAC. You have 20 working days to appeal. If you do not access the appeals process, or the appeals finding is against you, RMIT will make its report to DIAC. You will then have 28 days to respond to that notice to DIAC. This may result in the cancellation of your student visa.
What happens if I am away for more than five consecutive days?
You should contact your Program Coordinator immediately. You may be required to provide documentary evidence such as medical certificates. Approval must be attained from your Program Coordinator for any absences exceeding five consecutive days.
Offshore Students
As an offshore International Student, there are different policies and procedures relating to your rights and responsibilities – unfortunately, there aren’t that many of them.
Useful RMIT Contacts
The following details are for services based at the City Campus - students at other campuses should advise the person taking their call of their location.
RMIT Counselling Service. Ph. 9925 4365
Personal problems, relationship issues, depression, grief and anxiety.
www.rmit.edu.au/counselling
RMIT Health Service. Ph. 9925 2297
www.rmit.edu.au/campusnurseservice
RMIT Housing Advisory Unit Ph. 9925 296
www.rmit.edu.au/housing
RMIT Disability Liasion Unit. Ph. 9925 1089
www.rmit.edu.au/disability
RMIT Study and Learning Centre Ph. 9925 3600
Time management, exam preparation, maths and English support.
www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre
RMIT International Student Information and Support
(ISIS) Ph. 9925 2963
http://www.rmit.edu.au/isis
RMIT International 9925 5156
Building 108 Level 4, 239 Bourke Street,
isu@rmit.edu.au
Also, check out the HUB on your campus for additional drop in times or
www.rmit.edu.au/students/services
Complaints
Student Complaints Liaison Officers (SCLO’s) located in all Academic Portfolios, Departments, Schools and Groups
www.rmit.edu.au/academicregistrar/studentcomplaints
RMIT Ombuds
Ph. 9925 2930
Email: ombuds@rmit.edu.au
Relevant Policy and Advice
The “At Risk” procedure is outlined in
7.32.10.1 Academic Progress (Higher Education)
- Unsatisfactory Performance.
This. can be accessed from
www.rmit.edu.au/governance/policies
Look in ‘Teaching and Learning’
Other Useful Student Rights Leaflets
You can pick up the following leaflets from your nearest Student Union Office, or download them from our website,
www.su.rmit.edu.au/rights
How to write a letter
Special Consideration
International Students
Your rights as a student with a (dis)ability
Being Excluded from your Program
Disclaimer: The information on this website is a general guide only. RMIT is a very complex
environment, and there are often a number of different rules which apply.
For Additional Assistance drop into a Student Union Front Office to speak with a Student Liaison Officer:
City Higher Ed: Building 8, Level 3, ph. 9925 5004
Tivoli (Business): Building 108, Level 3, ph. 9925 5647
Carlton Campus: Building 57, Level 4, ph. 9925 4769
Brunswick: Building 514, Level 2, ph. 9925 9478
Bundoora students can book an appointment with a Student Rights Officer at Building 202, Level 2, ph. 9925 7226
Or send detailed information regarding your case to student.rights@rmit.edu.au
Any enquiries, call 9925 5004
If required, an appointment will be made for you with a Student Rights Officer
Has this information been helpful? Join the Student Union and join the fight to improve your rights!
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