Study and settle in Australia
Expressions of interest have now closed for the 2026 Refugee Student Settlement Pathway.
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. So far, 33 students have arrived in Australia through the RSSP and commenced their studies at participating universities across the country.
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 are supported by a local campus support group to assist them with settlement and integration. Students arrive in Australia on permanent humanitarian visas, enabling them to build a new life and career in Australia.
Skill Path Australia runs the program in coordination with the Australian Government, participating universities and partner organisations including the UNHCR, Refugee Education Australia, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, Glow Up Careers and many others.
“I am now able to continue my studies in Australia and work toward a stable future. This opportunity has truly changed my life, and I will always be grateful. ”
Umar, Uaeisa, Khulud and Sandra, arrived in Australia in January 2026 and are studying at Deakin University.
Expressions of interest closed
Expressions of interest for the 2026 intake of the Refugee Student Settlement Pathway have now closed. If you have not yet submitted an Expression of Interest, we recommend you sign up to our mailing list to find out when we open up for the 2027 intake.
Resources and Guides
Participating universities
Nine world-leading universities have so far accepted students through the RSSP. Skill Path is continuing to sign up more universities as the RSSP expands. Find out more.
How it works
Priority learning areas
The RSSP is prioritising the following domains of study:
Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (or Health Sciences as pathway into these fields)
Engineering (civil, structural, electrical)
Teaching (Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary)
Software Engineering and other IT professions
Business, commerce, accounting and finance related professions
Law
Electrical Trades
The priority domains are based on industry demand and projected national shortages of skills needed in Australia.
Preparing for the next RSSP
The RSSP is an extremely competitive program. We expect thousands of applicants in the next intake. To ensure your application stands out, we recommend taking the following steps to prepare:
1. 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. Consistent effort and utilising quality resources are key to your success.
2. Take a Practice Test with Duolingo
All students applying for the Refugee Student Settlement Pathway this year 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 this, you should check your progress and practice with unlimited free Duolingo Practice Tests . 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 courses need a DET score of minimum 95, but will be much more competitive above 105)
These 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.
3. 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
A 400 word motivation statement
Other optional supporting materials (such as any recommendation letters , certificates or awards)
4. Be clear on your motivation
You will have 2500 characters (roughly 400 words) to explain your motivation for applying for the RSSP. We want to know why you are the right candidate to study in Australia through this program. What you are passionate about, and why you need this supported pathway for refugee students. Avoid generic AI-driven answers. We want to know about YOU.
If you are shortlisted for the program, you will also be asked to submit a short (60-90 second) video CV. This can just be filmed on your phone and uploaded if you are shortlisted. We recommend you do the video ahead of time so you are ready to upload it if you are successful. 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!
