Indigenous Access Program

The Indigenous Access Program supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to gain access to study at RMIT.

Ngarara Willim Centre and RMIT are committed to providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with greater access to vocational and higher education programs.

If you are applying to study an RMIT course, the Indigenous Access Program allows Ngarara Willim to support you during the application process through an informal interview and non ATAR and non-competitive selection process.
 

About the Indigenous Access Program

The Indigenous Access Program is a priority access scheme which aims to support the increased participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants in RMIT vocational education and bachelor’s degree courses.

The scheme is designed to assess an applicant’s capacity to study at tertiary level in their preferred area of study through a non ATAR and non-competitive selection process.

The program supports entry into RMIT courses through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre.

 

How the Indigenous Access Program works

After applying to study an RMIT course, applicants attend an online, in-person or phone informal interview with a Ngarara Willim Support Officer and the Selection Officer from the College/School who will determine if the applicant should be admitted into the course (degree/qualification).

For applicants applying for courses that considers an ATAR as part of the selection criteria, you will not be required to meet this ATAR, instead the interview will form part of the selection criteria, allowing RMIT selection staff to take into account the relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, as well as any formal qualifications.

Applicants will still be required to meet all other course prerequisites and any extra requirements as listed on the RMIT course page.

In courses that select using a range of criteria (e.g. folio), the folio you submit will be considered alongside the informal interview to determine potential to succeed in the course. The selection process is non-competitive, meaning applicants are not assessed against other applicants when determining a selection outcome.

If you are unable to enter your course of choice immediately, the selection staff can help develop a personalised pathways plan for you.
 

What happens at the interview?

We ask that you attend an interview in-person, online or via phone.

At the interview, we will:

  • Discuss your educational aspirations and expectations you have about study
  • Provide you with information about the course you’ve chosen
  • Discuss any relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study
  • Introduce you to life at RMIT and Ngarara Willim, as well as the support services available to you while studying
  • Answer any questions or concerns you have about your studies
  • Applicants completing selection tasks will be invited to bring examples of their work for discussion

What to bring to the interview

Please bring your Confirmation of Aboriginality/Statutory Declaration, if you have not provided it already. You may also be required to provide year 12 transcripts or supporting documentation.
 

Indigenous Access Program minimum English study scores

Applicants applying for bachelor degree courses are required to meet an alternative minimum English study score. For entry to bachelor degree courses, the minimum English study score for Indigenous Access Program applicants is 5 points lower than the published English study score.

For example, where a course has a published minimum English study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English (EAL), Indigenous Access Program applicants must achieve a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English (EAL). 
 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for the Indigenous Access Program, you must meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • Be able to confirm your Indigenous eligibility
  • Be applying for a certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree or undergraduate degree
  • Meet all course prerequisites and any extra requirements as listed for the RMIT course you are applying for
  • Agree to attend the Gama-dji Orientation Program.
     

How to apply

Applying to RMIT through the Indigenous Access Program involves two important steps:

  1. Apply to an RMIT course via the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) or direct to RMIT
  2. Contact the Ngarara Willim Centre to ask for an application form: ngarara.willim@rmit.edu.au.

Once you have applied, a Ngarara Willim Centre team member will contact you about your application and to arrange an interview.

More information

For more information about the Indigenous Access Program, contact Ngarara Willim Centre.

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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.