International students under 18 years of age

International students under 18 years of age

Welfare requirements for international students under 18 years of age.

Welfare requirements for international students under 18 years of age.

Welfare requirements for international students under 18 years of age.

If you are an international student under 18 years old, you must have welfare arrangements in place to apply for your student visa. This is to ensure that you are living in a secure environment with adequate practical and emotional support to keep you safe before you turn 18. 

There are two options for welfare arrangements that the Department of Home Affairs consider appropriate for an under-18 student studying in Australia. 

Option 1: Living with an approved relative

You will be living with a DHA approved relative who lives in Australia, or a DHA approved relative will travel to Australia and live with you while you study and are under 18 years of age. 

Option 2: Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW)

You will not be staying with a relative. Instead, RMIT will accept responsibility for your welfare by issuing a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW). An RMIT issued CAAW requires that you engage the services of an approved caregiver and that you will live in RMIT approved accommodation.

A CAAW is only available to under-18 students who hold or are intending to apply for a Student Visa (Subclass 500). RMIT cannot accept welfare responsibility for students on any other visa type.

To confirm you are living with a relative while studying at RMIT you must:
  1. Confirm your guardian.
  2. Secure your student visa.
  3. Book an airport pick up (optional).
  4. Arrive in Melbourne.
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The relative with whom you will live in Australia will need to be approved by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). See Welfare and custody arrangements for student under 18 for details of DHA approved relatives.  

To confirm this welfare arrangement:

  1. Accept your offer from RMIT. Find out how to accept your offer.
  2. Submit the Welfare Approval Form and select Option 1 – staying with a relative. Fill out the necessary information about your nominated relative and attach:
    a. Parent or legal guardian’s passport
    b. Your passport

After your Welfare Approval Form has been assessed and approved, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) will be issued. You may then apply for a Student Visa.

If you are living with a DHA approved relative while under-18 and studying in Australia, your welfare is your approved relative’s responsibility.

If your approved relative needs to depart Australia while you stay here, before they leave, your approved relative must provide evidence that:

  • there is a compelling and compassionate reason for their travel and
  • they have made alternative welfare arrangements for your accommodation, general welfare and support until they return.

You approved relative may also nominate another approved relative to provide your welfare.

See Welfare and custody arrangement for students under 18 for more information.

To apply for a Student Visa, you will need:

Once you have confirmed your arrival details, you can book the free RMIT Airport Pick Up service. This is optional for students who will be living with an approved relative.

Airport pick-up requests can be submitted up to one month before your scheduled arrival date.

To enrol using a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW):

  1. Confirm your CAAW.
  2. Secure a student visa.
  3. Book an airport pick up.
  4. Arrive in Melbourne.

Please note, a CAAW cannot start more than 2 weeks before your program commences.

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If you will not be living with an approved relative in Australia (Option 1), RMIT will approve your welfare arrangements and issue a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW). By issuing the CAAW, RMIT University accepts responsibility for your welfare arrangements.

To confirm this welfare arrangement:

  1. Accept your offer from RMIT. Find out how to accept your offer.
  2. Submit the Welfare Approval Form and select Option 2- RMIT approved welfare arrangements. Fill out the necessary information and attach:
    a. A contract with an RMIT approved caregiver service
    b. A contract with an RMIT approved accommodation provider
    c. Parent or legal guardian’s passport
    d. Your passport

A CAAW cannot be issued without the above contracts. Please note, it is a condition of CAAW that until you turn 18:

  • you stay in approved accommodation every night and
  • you engage a caregiver who will support you.

RMIT partners with approved accommodation providers to ensure your safety and wellbeing. Additionally, your caregiver will provide ongoing support by meeting with you regularly and can assist you to navigate medical and or other support services. They will also assist welfare waiver, holiday, and change of accommodation requests and may also act as your emergency contact.

To maintain CAAW, you must:

  • Maintain ongoing caregiver services until you turn 18.
  • Comply with the terms of your accommodation provider, including the terms of your tenancy agreement and house rules.
  • Comply with curfew and stay at your approved accommodation every night between 10:00 PM and 06:00 AM, unless you have secured an approved waiver from RMIT.  
  • Seek and confirm RMIT approval before taking holidays, leaving Australia, changing accommodation, or any other changes to welfare.  

Not buy, consume or possess alcohol or illicit substances.

While you are under-18 and subject to RMIT CAAW, you must return to your approved accommodation each night by 10:00 PM.

Students in PBSA accommodation are required to sign the curfew register. The accommodation provider will contact RMIT if you do not return home by 10:00 PM.

If you wish to extend your curfew beyond 10:00 PM, you must first seek approval from RMIT. Extensions must be submitted via the Curfew Extension Request form and approval cannot be guaranteed. Please note, your safety and wellbeing are of primary concern and failure to comply with curfew conditions is taken seriously.  

RMIT is committed to your safety and wellbeing. If you are unable to adhere to the requirements of your welfare arrangements, RMIT may withdraw your CAAW.  If you are found in breach of the conditions of your CAAW, RMIT may commence efforts to arrange alternative welfare arrangements.

If your CAAW is withdrawn, your parents will need to confirm welfare arrangements while you remain in Australia and are under 18 years of age. Failure to maintain appropriate welfare arrangements while under 18 in Australia may result in the cancellation of your CoE.   

RMIT will notify the Department of Home Affairs if your CAAW and/or CoE is cancelled, which may impact your Student Visa.

After your Welfare Approval Form has been assessed and approved, your CAAW and CoE will be issued. You may then apply for a Student Visa.

To apply for a Student Visa, you will need:

  • Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) + CAAW

Once you have confirmed your arrival details, you must book our Airport Pick Up service. The airport pick-up service is mandatory for students who will be living under RMIT approved welfare arrangements.

Airport pick-up requests can be submitted up to one month before your scheduled arrival date.

Visa conditions

Maintaining your Student Visa (Subclass 500) requires that you comply with several conditions, including the welfare arrangements detailed above. See Visa conditions for a full list of your obligations.  

Breaching visa conditions may lead to cancellation of your visa. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have a valid Student Visa at all times.

Australia’s laws promote quality protection and consumer protection for international students. These laws are known as the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework. The ESOS framework outlines your rights and responsibilities as well as services that Australian education providers must provide to international students. 

Transferring from another provider

To transfer to RMIT from another education provider, you will need to:

  1. Accept your offer from RMIT. Find out how to accept your offer.
  2. Complete the Welfare Approval Form and attach:
    a. Evidence of release from your current educational provider (school/university)
    b. Your current CoE and/or CAAW
    c. Parent or legal guardian’s passport
    d. Your passport

If applying for Option 2- RMIT approved welfare arrangements, you will also need to attach contracts from a RMIT approved caregiver service and accommodation provider. See RMIT approved welfare arrangements.
Each educational institution will have their own policy regarding transferring to another provider. Please check your current provider’s guidelines regarding transfer.

Once RMIT receives the required information, the Under 18 International Student Welfare team will communicate with your current provider to confirm your release.

If you are applying for Option 2- RMIT approved welfare arrangements, you will be issued with an RMIT CAAW which will inform you of the date your welfare will be transferred to RMIT. This will be the date from which you must reside in your RMIT approved accommodation.

Changing existing welfare arrangements

If you wish to change your caregiver or accommodation arrangements after enrolment, you must gain approval from RMIT.

If you are experiencing any issues with your accommodation provider or caregiver service, please contact the RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare team to discuss your concerns.

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To apply for a change of accommodation:

  1. Contact your caregiver and inform them of your intention to change accommodation.
  2. Secure written consent from your parents or legal guardian to change accommodation.
  3. Inform your current accommodation provider of your intention to move.
  4. Complete the Change of Accommodation form and attach parent or legal guardian consent.

Once your application has been processed, you will need to provide evidence of a contract from your new chosen RMIT approved accommodation provider.

For approval to change your caregiver service, please contact  RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare.

To nominate a different relative, you must apply for approval from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Your relative can nominate another relative, or you may do so yourself, as per DHA guidelines. To do so, you will need to complete the DHA form Request for approval of alternative welfare.

Please see Welfare and custody arrangements for students under 18 for further information.

Once your request to change to a different relative has been approved by DHA, you must notify RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare.

If you wish to change your welfare arrangements from Option 1 to Option 2 or Option 2 to Option 1, please contact RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare for advice and guidance.

Please note, you must always have approved welfare arrangements while you are under-18 and studying in Australia.

Advise us of your welfare option

When you accept your offer, you need to submit the Under-18 Welfare Approval Form to let us know which welfare option you have chosen. After your form has been assessed, your CoE can be issued.

Frequently Asked Questions

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You do not need to fulfill the under-18 welfare condition if you will turn 18 before your program commencement date and arrive in Australia after turning 18.

As you may still be under-18 at the time of applying for your Student Visa, you will need to submit the Department of Home Affairs 157N Nomination of a student guardian form with your visa application.

You must accept your RMIT offer at least 1 month before your program commencement date. This will ensure you have enough time to arrange appropriate welfare arrangements, apply for a Student Visa, and arrive in time for your orientation.

Yes, if you hold a CAAW and you are arriving with your parents/legal guardian and have not secured approval for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Offshore pre-arrival (see below), you must book the airport pickup service.

The service is free and can accommodate any relatives with whom you are travelling.   

If you have secured approval for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Offshore pre-arrival (see below), you do not need to book the airport pickup service.

Yes. If you are arriving with your parents/legal guardians and wish to stay with them in alterative accommodation, you will need to apply for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Offshore pre-arrival. Please complete and submit this application at least 3 days before arriving in Melbourne.

If you are living with an approved relative, you can arrive in Australia any time from when your Student Visa has been granted. 

If you are under RMIT welfare, you must only arrive from the date stated on your CAAW. This is a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requirement. This applies even if you are travelling to Australia with a parent. Check RMIT arrival dates for students subject to CAAW.

Remember, it is important to arrive in time for your orientation.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to go home for a short time during your study period.

Your circumstances must satisfy compassionate and compelling criteria. You will need to get permission from your school and the Under 18 Welfare Team prior to making travel arrangements.

Please contact RMIT Under 18 International Student Welfare to discuss further.

Yes, however you will need to apply for a Temporary Welfare Waive – Onshore and must be with a parent or approved relative whilst you stay at the alternative accommodation.


Forms for under 18 international students

Welfare Approval Form

Must be provided to RMIT to nominate where you will be staying and who your caregiver or guardian will be while you are in Australia.

Temporary Welfare Waive Form – Onshore

Allows a student currently in Australia to remain with a parent and/or relative, instead of approved long-term accommodation for a set period.

Temporary Welfare Waive Form – Offshore pre-arrival

Allows a student currently outside Australia to remain with a visiting parent(s) instead of approved long-term accommodation for a set period when they arrive in Australia.

Change of Accommodation Request Form

Must be provided to RMIT to nominate a change in approved accommodation.

Holiday Request Form

Must be provided to RMIT to request a holiday/visit to home country during semester breaks.

Curfew Extension Request Form

Use this form to apply for an extension to your curfew, up to 1am.

Please note: the above requests are subject to RMIT approval.


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