Study and settle in Australia.

Applications for the 2025 Refugee Student Settlement Pathway intake have closed. We will announce the next intake soon.

Overview 

The Refugee Student Settlement Pathway (RSSP) is a new pilot program allowing refugee students to migrate to Australia to take up tertiary education opportunities in 2025. So far, 20 students have been selected for the first intake of the program, and a second intake will be announced soon.

Students may undertake a mix of undergraduate, postgraduate and vocational qualifications in fields such as nursing, civil engineering, technology, business and economics. In addition to receiving tertiary education, students will be supported by a local campus support group to assist them with settlement and integration. Students will arrive in Australia on permanent humanitarian visas, enabling them to build a new life and career in Australia.

A coalition of Australian universities, the Australian Refugee Welcome University Sponsorship Consortium (ARWUSC), chaired by the Australian National University (ANU), together with Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) have been instrumental in advocating for and establishing this program.  

Implementation of the pilot is being coordinated by Skill Path Australia, Refugee Education Australia and CRSA, together with participating universities and supporting organisations.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the RSSP 2025 intake you must:

  • Be registered with UNHCR.

  • Live in Malaysia, India or Thailand.

  • Be 18-30 years of age.

  • Have completed Secondary School (Year 11 and 12) or an equivalent program.

  • Not have completed a postgraduate degree (Master's or Doctorate).

  • Be able to study and communicate competently in English (minimum requirements depend on the course).

  • Be willing to travel to Australia on your own.

  • Meet additional academic criteria requirements relevant to the course (we will advise you of additional requirements if you are shortlisted for the program).

Priority learning areas

The RSSP is prioritising the following domains of study:

  • Nursing (EN and RN pathways)

  • Physiotherapy

  • Occupational Therapy

  • Civil Engineering

  • Software Engineering and other IT professions

  • Business, accounting and finance related professions

  • Skilled trades: Electricians and plumbing

The priority domains are based on industry demand and projected national shortages.

Preparing for next RSSP intake

Did you miss out on the 2025 intake of the Refugee Student Settlement Pathway?

We aim to run another intake of applicants in the second half of 2025. Please sign up to our mailing list for updates. Here are some tips to prepare for the next intake…

Immerse yourself in English.

To apply for the RSSP you must be comfortable studying at a high level in English. To achieve this, it’s essential to immerse yourself in English daily by reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Focus on expanding your vocabulary and understanding of grammar.

You can check your progress and practice with unlimited free Duolingo English Tests (DET). Aim for:

  • Postgraduate stream: DET score of at least 130 to be considered

  • Undergraduate stream: DET score of at least 105 to be considered

  • Skill trades/vocational applicants need at least a DET score of 95 (but will be much more competitive applicants with a 105 or above)

Consistent effort and utilising quality resources are key to your success.

Get your documents in order.

To apply for the RSSP you need:

  • Proof of your UNHCR registration.

  • Your Secondary School transcript (in its original language and an English translation) or if applicable, your university degree certificate and results (in original language and an English translation).

  • Proof of your English language ability, via an official online or in-person test (see FAQs below for acceptable tests).

  • Your Curriculum Vitae (CV).

  • Other supporting materials (such as recommendation letters and a statement about what has motivated you to apply for the RSSP).

You are also encouraged to submit a short (60 second) video CV. This can just be filmed on your phone and uploaded to the application. Video CVs are a powerful way to showcase who you are, your academic achievements and future potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit our Help Centre for further information about the RSSP and to answer all your questions!