Government and community financial support

Centrelink

Centrelink is a government organisation that provides financial assistance to eligible students. You may be eligible for:

Payments for students and trainees – a range of payments to help you while you study, including payments for students aged 16-24, students aged over 25, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students
Rent Assistance – for your rental costs while studying
Fares Allowance – for costs incurred travelling between your home and where you are studying
Mobility Allowance – to assist if you have a disability and cannot use public transport without assistance
Child Care Subsidy – for the costs of child care while you study
Pensioner Education Supplement (PES) – if you are a student already receiving a government pension
Advance Payments – eligible individuals receive part of the payment sooner to meet living costs or unexpected expenses
Concession and Health Care Cards – for discounts on medical treatment and more.

Food and material aid

Ask Izzy Community Services – connects you with emergency material aid including food, housing and crisis support in your postcode area

Moneysmart urgent help with money – get help if you're in crisis or struggling to make ends meet

Accommodation and housing

Frontyard Youth Services – support for individuals aged 12-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
Launch Housing – crisis housing support for individuals aged 24+
Share-house and private rental options – the most affordable housing option for students
Student hostels – more affordable than other student apartments due to communal living areas

Other support

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Australian Government scheme that funds costs associated with disability
Transition to Independent Living Allowance – a one-off payment of up to $1,500 to help eligible young people cover some basic costs as they leave out-of-home care or foster care
Safe Steps Family Violence Support Centre – temporary housing and specialist support services for anyone in Victoria experiencing or at risk of family violence
Utility Relief Grant – a grant providing help to pay a mains electricity, gas or water bill that is overdue due to a temporary financial crisis
Victorian Government: Energy Assistance Program – a free service designed to support Victorians who are having trouble paying their energy bills.

Money management

If you would like to learn how to budget and better manage your money, you can book an appointment with an RMIT Student Welfare Advisor to discuss money management, budgeting and building your financial literacy.

RMIT students can also enrol in the free Know Your Money Mindset microcredential.

The following external resources may also be helpful:

Money Smart – information and tools to help you budget and save, as well as information on debt management and financial counselling
National Debt Helpline – call 1800 007 007 to talk to a financial counsellor about debt problems and solutions or find information on the website
No Interest Loans (NILs) – loans for individuals and families on low incomes for essential goods and services

Centrelink