For students who need to relocate to study at RMIT in Melbourne; provides a rental subsidy worth up to $14,014 for accommodation at UniLodge Melbourne Central.
Applications are now closed
In 2025 the scholarship will be paid in the form of a rental subsidy for a studio at UniLodge Melbourne Central.
| Scholarship type | Scholarship value | Student contribution (total) | Student contribution (weekly) |
| Access and equity - Full year | $14,014 | $14,014 | $269.50 |
| Access and equity - Single semester | $7,397 | $7,397 | $284.50 |
| Access and equity - Indigenous (financial hardship) - Full year | $28,028 | $0 | $0 |
| Access and equity - Indigenous (financial hardship) - Single semester | $14,794 | $0 | $0 |
| Access and equity - Indigenous (no financial hardship) - Full year | $19,619 | $8,048 | $161.70 |
| Access and equity - Indigenous (no financial hardship) - Single semester | $10,355 | $4,438 | $170.70 |
Ten scholarships available.
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident or a permanent humanitarian visa holder
- be from an interstate or rural/regional area and moving/moved to Melbourne to study at RMIT
- be enrolling full-time in semester 1 2025 in a certificate IV, diploma, undergraduate degree or postgraduate by coursework program at RMIT (Brunswick or City campus)
- not already be committed to a student accommodation provider under a lease agreement in 2025
- be able to demonstrate circumstance/s which impact your ability to study such as:
- receiving a government tested low income benefit or having a Centrelink Health Care Card
- living with a disability, long-term medical condition or identify as neurodiverse
- experiencing personal/family/social difficulties
- have previously/are currently living in foster/kinship care or are a ward of the state
- be from an under-represented background such as:
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- were born overseas, are from a non-English background and recently migrated to Australia
- current or former refugee
- completed your secondary education at a School Network Access Program school
- have not previously commenced or completed a program at the same level of study or higher
If you are a certificate IV or diploma student you must:
- have a government-subsidised place
- not be enrolling in an apprenticeship or traineeship program.
Preference will be given to students commencing a program at RMIT for the first time.
It is preferred that you apply direct to RMIT for this scholarship.
Direct to RMIT applications
The link to the application form will be provided here once applications open.
VTAC applications
Apply online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website (www.vtac.edu.au).
Supporting documentation
Depending on your circumstances, you will need to provide different types of evidence and material to support your scholarship application. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.
If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, you will need:
- to confirm your Indigenous eligibility with RMIT’s Ngarara Willim Centre prior to the application close date
If you cannot provide the required confirmation documentation by the scholarship application due date, you will be considered an "Access and Equity" applicant rather than an "Access and Equity - Indigenous" applicant, and you will have a different scholarship value.
Please visit Supporting Your Application for more information.
Find out more about applying for scholarships.
Applications are now closed.
Applications for 2025 are now closed.
This scholarship will next be offered for Semester 1 2026, with applications opening August 2025.
View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).
Additional charges
Bond: Recipients will be required to pay a bond equal to 4 weeks rent in line with the requirements of the Residential Tenancies Act (Vic.) 1997 and sign a residential tenancy agreement with UniLodge Melbourne Central prior to moving in. The bond must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). The RTBA will hold the bond in trust until the end of the lease. This will be refunded at the end of the tenancy agreement following an apartment inspection and clearance of all relevant payments to the accommodation provider.
Departure Cleaning Fee: Recipients will be charged a departure cleaning fee at the end of their tenancy.
If a recipient chooses to terminate their Residential Tenancy Agreement prior to the lease end date, they must continue to pay all rent charges until a new resident can be secured or the Residential Tenancy Agreement ends, whichever comes first.
What is included in rent?
- Residential Life Program Membership
- Water usage
- Electricity usage
- Unlimited Wi-Fi Internet
What is not included in my weekly rent?
- Departure Cleaning Fee
- Food
- Study materials
- Bed linen and kitchen equipment.
Refer to RMIT's Moving to Melbourne website for information on lifestyle and culture, public transport, employment and the cost of living.
Quotes from past recipients:
Receiving this scholarship made me feel relieved as now I could pursue my dream of studying Architecture at RMIT without worrying about the financial burden of accommodation and living. – 2024 recipient
It has made my life so much easier, especially for someone who has lived 4 hours away from Melbourne and therefore not familiar with the city. The dorm is within walking distance of my necessities such as the station, grocery stores, and school which has tamed my anxiety down, during my move. – 2024 recipient
Find out how to contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.
Notice to applicants
The scholarship application process is highly competitive with a limited number of scholarships available. Unfortunately, not all eligible applicants will receive one.
Only successful candidates will be notified via email to their RMIT student account.
For information about other financial assistance available to RMIT students, please speak to one of our Student Welfare Advisors.
