Calling future students: Applications for refugee pathway program open next week
Sumaia has enrolled to study a Bachelor of Education at the University of Sydney through the refugee pathway program. (Photo credit: Fiona Wolf/University of Sydney)
We are excited to announce that applications for the 2026 Refugee Student Settlement Program (RSSP) intake open on February 16, 2026!
To help you get ready, we are sharing five tips to help you prepare your application.
1. Check your eligibility
To be eligible to apply directly to Skill Path for the 2026 RSSP intake you must:
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, see below)
Be willing to travel to Australia on your own
You may also need to meet additional academic criteria requirements relevant to the course (we will advise you of additional requirements if you are shortlisted for the program).
2. Take a Duolingo practice test
All students applying for the Refugee Student Settlement Pathway in 2026 must do a proctored Duolingo English Test.
This is to ensure consistency and fairness in our process, and ultimately to ensure students accepted into the program will be able to study at a university level in Australia.
To prepare for the proctored test, you should check your progress and practice with unlimited free Duolingo Practice Tests.
We recommend you 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 applications with a 105 or above)
The recommended scores are a guide only. Some courses require higher English test scores. Due to Australian healthcare regulator requirements, nursing and medical students should aim for a DET score of 140 or above to be competitive for the program.
When you have reached your desired score, take a screen shot of your results. You will need this for your application.
Read our Guide to taking the Duolingo English Test for the RSSP for more information.
3. Understand the RSSP priority learning areas
The RSSP is prioritising the following domains of study due to industry demand and projected national shortage of skills needed in Australia. However, you are still welcome to apply if your intended studies are not included in these areas.
Nursing
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Civil engineering
Teaching (early childhood, primary and secondary)
Software engineering and other IT professions
Business, commerce, accounting and finance related professions
Law
Electrical trades
4. 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).
Any additional English language test results or medium of instruction letters from your university
Other supporting materials (such as recommendation letters and a statement about what has motivated you to apply for the RSSP)
We may also request long-listed applicants submit a 60-90 second video CV during the application process. To prepare for this, you can start practicing what you will say and get comfortable in front of the camera!
5. Check out our Resources, Guides and FAQs
For answers to specific questions, check out the FAQs on Skill Path’s website. You can also ask questions to Skill Path’s AI Bot for a quick search.
Key dates
16 February 2026: Applications open (for students wishing to be considered for university places in Semester 1, 2027)
2 March 2026: Deadline to submit Expression of Interest (if you are eligible, we will invite you to apply)
5pm on Monday 16 March, Melbourne Australia time (Australian Eastern Daylight Time): Final applications must be submitted (including completed Duolingo English Test)
