COVID-19 updates

We understand many in the Monash community will be concerned about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). We're committed to adapting our teaching and learning, campus experiences and operations to ensure the health and safety of our community. We will keep the Monash community informed as the situation continues to evolve.

Latest information
Key points

You must not come to campus if you're unwell. Get tested for COVID-19 if you have any of the following symptoms, however mild – fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of sense of taste or smell – and stay home until you’ve received a negative result. For information about testing, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.

Last updated 13 May 2021 1:47pm

If you have recently visited a COVID-19 hotspot or public exposure site, you must follow the Department of Health's requirements for testing and isolating, as outlined (i.e. tiers 1-3, a rating system for the level of exposure). To see where to get tested in Victoria, visit www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/where-get-tested-covid-19.

COVID Safe Plan

Our COVID Safe Plan sets out the actions we are taking to protect our staff, students, visitors and wider campus communities, and our response to a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Monash University.
To protect the Monash community’s health and safety, all staff and students must:
- Swipe their Monash ID card on the door reader or scan the QR code every time they enter a building to assist the University to meet its reporting obligations to the Department of Health (DH) should there be a positive COVID-19 case on-campus.

Last updated 13 May 2021 1:47pm

The Monash Chief Medical Officer is in constant communication with Australian medical authorities for the latest health and travel advice.
We continue to monitor the situation, including the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO), US Center for Disease Control and the Australian government’s Health Department, including states and territories.
Students directly affected by COVID-19 can contact us at +61 3 9902 6010 or via our enquiry form.
Monash also provides free confidential counselling support for any Monash student. If you need support at any time, please call 1300 788 336.
If you have tested positive to COVID-19 you must follow the recommendations of your medical professional and the Australian Health Department, including the required self-isolation period.
- If you are a Monash staff member, you must also immediately notify your supervisor, and your supervisor will advise Access HR via email at hr@monash.edu or phone on +61 03 9902 0400.
- If you are a Monash student, we ask that you notify Monash Connect on 9902 6011 for further support.
- You must be cleared by a Public Health Officer and determined to be no longer infectious before you can leave your home isolation and re-enter the Monash or wider Australian community.
For updates on Monash College's response to COVID-19, please visit the Monash College website.

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Reactivating Monash

Information about safely returning to our Australian campuses

We’ll soon be welcoming more students and staff back to our campuses, in line with advice from the Victorian Government and health authorities. It will take the combined efforts of our entire Monash community to ensure our campuses are reactivated safely – we are all in this together.

Fact sheet

Campus operations under COVIDSafe settings View fact sheet

Work arrangements

COVIDSafe settings have been further relaxed across Victoria following a sustained period of reduced exposure risk and low community transmission of COVID-19, allowing 100 per cent of our workforce to return to onsite work in a COVIDSafe way – see here for the full list of changes.

The University’s working from home (WFH) procedure continues to be available for eligible professional staff who wish to apply to WFH for part of the working week.

Professional staff who wish to continue to partially WFH must submit an online application, if not yet completed. You must submit a WFH form otherwise it will be assumed you are working onsite for the entirety of your working week. Approved requests made in 2021 will be valid until 31 December 2021. The University will review these arrangements for 2022 based on the experience and impact of the policy during 2021. More information on how to apply and eligibility can be found in this Insider article.

In line with recent government advice, density quotients no longer apply in offices except in publicly accessible areas such as lobbies. Previously, a density limit of one person per two square metres applied in shared spaces.

Supporting the return of staff in high-risk health categories to onsite work

In line with health advice from our Chief Medical Officer, the University has commenced the return of staff that fall under the Victorian Government’s high-risk health categories to onsite work:

Staff aged 70 years and over;
Staff aged 65 and over with chronic medical conditions; and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50.

Please note that the definition of ‘high risk’ is with respect to complications associated with having the COVID-19 virus and does not indicate the individual is at a higher risk of contracting the virus.

As the current level of COVID-19 cases across Australia is low, as well as the risk of exposure regardless of age or health conditions, those at higher risk of becoming ill from COVID-19 can safely return to work – with appropriate precautions in place.

Monash’s COVID Safe Plan is inclusive in its approach, ensuring all staff can attend our campuses and workplaces safely.

Staff in the above-mentioned categories will return to working at University locations on a substantive basis, or under an approved flexible arrangement as agreed with local supervisors.

The return does not need to be gradual, however a gradual return can be arranged through supervisors.

Working from home arrangements for staff with poorly controlled chronic medical conditions or who are immunocompromised will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis through their supervisors and HR.

Campus facilities, retailers and study spaces

Libraries

Travel

Health and wellbeing

Delivery mode for semester one, 2021

Events, activities and venues

Essential research services

Changes to semester View fact sheet

Academic progress processes

Graduations

Fees

International campuses

Placements/WIL, internships and secondary schools outreach programs

Placements and school outreach programs

Your Faculty Placement Office will be in contact if your placement is affected.
Individual organisations may have different strategies for dealing with COVID-19. Please follow all health and safety protocols provided by your placement provider, and continue to maintain good hygiene in line with health advice from the University.
For school placements, each school will have their own set of measures in place to deal with COVID-19, framed on the advice of the Victorian Department of Education and Training (where applicable) and Federal and State health authorities, including the Department of Health and Human Services.
Monash will ensure compliance to these measures when sending our students and staff on placements. For those schools visiting a Monash campus, schools must be able to provide assurance that no visiting staff or students have returned from a country or region that is at high or moderate risk of COVID-19, or been in close contact with a confirmed case.

Faculty of Education:

We understand that recent announcements regarding COVID-19 and the impact on schools may be a cause of concern for you. We're working closely with the Victorian Government, partner placement providers and the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) to navigate our way through this unprecedented and challenging time.
Effective Tuesday, 24 March, placements for students within the Faculty of Education have been postponed. We ask that students please thank their mentors and negotiate the completion of their remaining placement days once schools reopen.

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences:

Information about clinical placements can be found here.
- Should I be on placement/will my placement continue?
- COVID-19 advice is changing rapidly. Your placement provider will advise whether it is appropriate for you to be on placement, and there may be certain instances where you will be required to leave.
- With the changing developments, we understand you may have concerns about being on clinical placement. Currently, the Department of Health and Human Services are supporting ongoing placements until further notice, with limited exceptions, such as in COVID emergency departments.
- If you’re feeling unwell, please excuse yourself from your clinical placement. You’ll need to:
  - Follow health advice
  - Complete the special consideration form online.
  - Contact your placement provider and let them know.

- Will my unit/site coordinator be in touch if my placement is affected?
  - Yes - the Faculty will be in touch with you if they know of your placement being affected.
  - However, advice can change rapidly. You should follow the instructions of your placement provider. If your placement provider notifies you that your placement is affected, please notify your unit and/or site coordinator.
- What happens if my placement is cancelled?
  - Where possible, we will make alternative placement arrangements for you. Your clinical or site coordinator will be in touch with more information about alternative arrangements. You will not be expected to source your own placement.
  - You won't fail as a result of cancelled placement due to COVID, but it may impact your course progression. Your unit coordinator can provide further advice about what flexible arrangements can be made available in your course.
- I am due to graduate this year. Will I have enough placement and learning?
  - Monash recognises that many students may experience disruptions to placements and other learning as a result of COVID-19, and this is true of students in all health and medical faculties across Australia. As such, your course leads are in close contact with accrediting bodies and employers to develop flexible solutions to ensure you are able to get into the workforce.
  - Our Faculty leaders are working with government, peak bodies and other institutions to develop solutions. It is our intention, in these unique circumstances, to be as flexible as possible regarding attendance hurdles in the context of COVID-19. Further information will be made available as matters progress.
- Can I opt out of my placement?
  - Where your placement potentially puts you in contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients, you can choose to opt-out, however we cannot guarantee the effect this will have on your course progression.
  - Our programs have varying levels of flexibility due to varied accreditation requirements. As such, it's important to stay in contact with your Unit and Course Coordinators who will let you know which aspects of your studies are mandatory.
  - Visit the clinical placements information page for more information.
- Should I opt in to work in a health service/be part of the "surge workforce"?
  - During this time, your skills may be in demand by our health services. It is your choice to be part of the health service surge workforce. If you choose to opt-in, as a Monash student, we will continue to support you and ensure you remain fully informed.
  - Please consider your own circumstances, such as your health and study commitments, before making a decision.
  - We’re currently working with our health services and government on these arrangements, as well as making sure you have the resources and support needed to do so safely. If you do choose to opt-in, we will provide guidelines and checklists to support you. Check back here soon for more information.

Internships

Students who are currently enrolled in an internship unit as part of your studies, please direct any queries to your faculty internship/work integrated learning coordinator.

Personalised study journeys for students based offshore

Monash is committed to ensuring students, currently based overseas, are able to start their studies in 2021.
We’ve developed personalised study journeys for students who can’t make it to Australia, so they can complete their course and graduate.

Eligible students have been individually contacted to review their personal study plan, which has been developed for them by a faculty course advisor.
If you are required to undertake practical assessments to progress your studies, arrangements will be made for you to do so once you're able to return to campus - please contact your faculty for further details. If you're in your final semester, your faculty will make alternative arrangements to ensure you can complete your studies and will contact you directly.

Course progression contingent upon clinical placements and practicum

All the above applies except for some health, medical and pharmacy courses in which face-to-face practicum and/or clinical placements must be completed for progression, accreditation and graduation. Please contact your course advisor.

Technology to support remote learning while you are overseas

We’ve created an online guide with step-by-step instructions to help students access and login into these platforms and tools remotely.
The guide includes instructions for lots of important and common tasks, including how to:
- Connect to Monash’s new, secure, VPN option.
- Access Moodle or specialised software for your course.
- Connect to the library and learning resources.
- Watch a video for class.
- Join a video or audio meeting with your lecturer or tutor.
We’ve made the guide available as a webpage and a PDF document, so students can download it and save it to their device to access whenever and wherever you need to.
For any technical difficulties during your studies, students contact eSolutions.

Support while you study remotely

Monash is capable and experienced when it comes to flexible teaching. Students enrolled in these units will have an excellent educational experience, in parallel with those participating in on-campus programs.

The flexible units will utilise a range of teaching strategies to support students to be active and engaged with their learning.

Coursework materials are available on Moodle unit sites.

When studying online, your academic may advise you of synchronous learning via zoom. Check Moodle for details of when and how to access.

Academics and course advisors will be in regular contact with our students as they study.

If students are having difficulty with their studies, for any reason, they can reach out to us to provide the best advice on what they need to do to succeed in their studies.

Exams and assessments

Graduate Research Students View fact sheet

Information for new applicants

Information for commencing students

Getting started with your enrolment

If you need information on how to enrol, visit our Monash Graduate Research Office How to Enrol page for details.
This page outlines what need to complete to finalise your enrolment by the expiry date stated in your offer letter.

Getting started with your research: induction and orientation

Because of the current COVID-19 situation, we’ve continued our induction processes online wherever practical, normally conducting these via Zoom.
Different faculties and enrolling academic units undertake induction differently; your academic unit and/or faculty will contact you with further details, and you can also contact them directly if you have any questions. (Refer to our faculty contacts page).
In the meantime, we’d encourage you to complete your Monash Doctoral Program – Compulsory Module assigned to you and available in myDevelopment.
Make sure you speak to your supervisory team about getting started, and the focus of your research project during this period.

If your commencement has been impacted by COVID

We understand the COVID-19 global health crisis has impacted the ability of many students to travel to Australia and commence their studies due to border closures.
The reopening of Australia’s borders to international visitors, including international students, is the responsibility of the Federal Government. Monash University continues to engage with peak bodies and State and Federal Governments in exploring ways to enable international students to return to Australia to commence and/or continue their studies on campus.
Refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for the most up-to-date information on current Australian Government restrictions on entry to Australia.
If you have a current offer of admission (with or without a scholarship offer) and you’re not able to commence your enrolment due to COVID-19, we recommend you review the options available to you and discuss these with your supervisor and faculty to determine the most appropriate action:

Application for travel exemption: Refer to the Department of Home Affairs for further information and instructions on how to apply : https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions
Please discuss this option with your supervisor and Academic Unit as they will need to provide you with a supporting letter.
Apply for offshore/remote enrolment: This option is available to students who have been granted their student visa. Please discuss the suitability of this option with your supervisor first, as your research may not be able to commence remotely, and then your faculty. If you have been awarded a Monash University stipend (living allowance) scholarship, this will not commence until (and only if) you relocate to Victoria, with the duration of scholarship support reduced by the period of prior remote enrolment. Tuition scholarship will however commence.
Apply for deferral: Submit a request to defer/change your commencement date, which if approved, will mean we’ll send you a new offer letter. Given the current boarder closures, we recommend you discuss an appropriate commencement date with your supervisor.

English language update for graduate research students commencing 2021

Monash University Academic Board has approved a COVID-19 temporary variation of the time limit on English language test validity for graduate research applicants.

Test validity has increased from two years to three years for all faculties (with the exception of Law due to its specific requirements), and this variation applies to graduate students commencing in 2021.

Managing your scholarship

Planning your research during the current COVID-19 situation

We understand that 2020 has been challenging for everyone, especially for students trying to progress their research while juggling other responsibilities and commitments including families, schooling and caregiving.
Planning your research and being able to maintain momentum has been hard for many students. Below are some practical strategies to assist you:
- If you're enrolled through Monash Australia, we encourage you to refer to the Latest information section of the COVID-19 fact sheet. If you're enrolled through Monash Malaysia, please visit the Monash Malaysia site for updates on COVID-19.
- Continue to maintain contact with your supervisors, conducting your regular meetings either online via platforms such as Zoom or Skype, or face-to-face (in accordance with Monash’s COVID Safe Plan). If you are enrolled through Monash Australia and wish to have face-to-face contact with your supervisor/s, please seek advice first from your faculty on any faculty-specific requirements in relation to on-campus attendance. When on-campus, you must adhere to the health and safety strategies in Monash’s COVID Safe Plan.
- If you haven’t done so already, it’s important you contact your supervisors and put in place a work plan to manage your enrolment over the next six months, and review any existing plans.
- In developing a new work plan (or re-evaluating an existing one), consider reflecting on your current situation to determine if you need to make any changes to your research given current ongoing restrictions, agreeing on an alternative course of action where your research activities are (or continue to be) delayed.
- Consider all the variables that comprise key elements of your research and determine if they are able to progress during this time (i.e. ethics applications, industry placements, accessing libraries and archives, undertaking fieldwork, etc.).
- If it’s not practical for you to continue your research at this time and you want more information on what options are available to you, refer to the section below on Converting to part-time enrolment and Applying for Leave. You can also go to our new resource page to help you understand your candidature and scholarships.

Progress milestones

PhD and Research Masters Milestone Review Panels (MRPs) are continuing. Milestones may be conducted face-to-face or via Zoom video conferencing. Monash has detailed information and support for using Zoom here.

If you are enrolled through Monash Australia and wish to have face-to-face contact with your supervisor/s, please seek advice first from your faculty on any faculty-specific requirements in relation to on-campus attendance. When on-campus, you must adhere to the health and safety strategies in Monash’s COVID Safe Plan.

It’s important that you talk to your supervisors in the lead up to all scheduled milestones, and especially important in the context of COVID-19. A checklist for graduate research students undertaking Milestone reviews during the COVID-19 situation is now available on the website. This form is used by Milestone Review Panel Chairs to help speak to students and their supervisory teams about research progress in the context of COVID-19. Below are some questions included on the checklist for you and your supervisory team to consider when planning for your milestone under the current circumstances:

Has your research project been impacted by COVID-19? (for example, is there any experimental work that you are required to do, such as data collection, interviews, fieldwork, travel, conference participation, which has been delayed)? If so, have you had a discussion with your supervisors about what this impact means for your research project (for example, does the project need to be re-scoped)?
If your project has had to be re-scoped, have you agreed on an action plan to achieve this?
Does your research project rely on access to external resources (archives, laboratories, industry partners or funding)? If so, have you been able to continue to access these resources?
Have you experienced any delays with other activities that form part of your research project (ethics applications; liaising with industry partners/other research collaborators)?
Do you have any requirements for ongoing access to computers; specialist software and/or equipment and/or sites (labs; tissue or seed banks; archives; libraries; repositories; field sites); and human resources (other students; lab technicians etc.)?
Is your research timeline feasible under the current COVID-19 situation?

If your milestone can’t proceed and needs to be rescheduled, rest assured you can apply for an extension to a milestone. The COVID-19 situation is an acceptable reason for seeking an extension.

Monash Doctoral Program (MDP)

Extending your thesis submission date

In recognition of these challenges, we’ve put in place a series of measures to support students during this time.
If you need to apply for an extension to your thesis submission date due to COVID-19, it’s important that you provide details about how COVID-19 has impacted your research as part of your application. That way, we can process your application more quickly. COVID-19 also meets our definition of compassionate and compelling circumstances for international students on Australian student visas.
Specific details on how we are supporting you are outlined below, and you can also visit our new understanding your candidature and scholarships website to learn more about your thesis extension options.
If you’re an international student on an Australian student visa, and you’re not sure how an extension may impact on your student visa, please visit Monash’s student visa page for information. Please note that if you apply for an extension of enrolment and do not hold a tuition fee paying scholarship you will be charged tuition fees.

Supporting our doctoral students

If you are a current Monash Australia student and you were enrolled on or prior to 8 April 2020, we’ve automatically applied an extension to your thesis submission date, meaning your thesis submission date has been adjusted to 3.5 years equivalent full time, pro-rated for part-time students.
If you want to view your adjusted thesis submission date, visit your Research Enrolment Summary.
If you need to apply to extend your thesis submission date beyond 3.5 years equivalent full-time due to COVID-19, you can apply for a further extension to your thesis submission date up to 4 years equivalent full-time, pro-rated for part-time students.
As a temporary measure, we are also being more flexible in considering extensions to your thesis submission date beyond the maximum four years equivalent full-time. Extensions of this type are only considered under exceptional circumstances up to a maximum of 4.5 years equivalent full-time. We consider COVID-19 an example of an exceptional circumstance where it’s impacted your research.

Supporting our research master’s students

If you’re a current research master’s student, you can apply for a thesis extension.
As a temporary measure, we are also being more flexible in considering extensions to your submission date beyond the maximum two years equivalent full-time. Extensions of this type are only considered under exceptional circumstances up to a maximum of 2.5 years equivalent full-time. We consider COVID-19 an example of an exceptional circumstance where it’s impacted your research.

Graduate Research Completion Award (GRCA)

Converting to part-time enrolment

Applying for leave

Study away/travel grants

Internships and placements

Joint PhD programs

GRIP programs

Graduate research examinations

Contacting the Monash Graduate Research Office and your faculty

Health advice and safety measures View fact sheet

General health information

Face masks

What to do if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19

What to do if you suspect you have been in close contact with a confirmed case

If you suspect or are concerned you may have come into close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, separate yourself from others and call the dedicated Victorian Department of Human Health and Services COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 hours, 7 days a week). Here you will receive detailed information on what you need to do next, including what to do if you need testing, if you are required to isolate yourself or if you can continue your usual activities.

If you have been identified as a suspected case

A suspected case is someone who has symptoms or signs of COVID-19 and who is being tested for infection but has not found out the results of the tests yet.
Until the results are known, there is a risk that you could have the COVID-19 infection and could spread the virus to other people. While it may take a few days for the test results to be returned, you must not attend campus until you receive your test results, and have been informed it is safe for you to resume your usual activities. Refer to the DHHS suspected case factsheet.
Staff who have been identified as a suspected case should immediately notify their supervisor who will advise Access HR on hr@monash.edu or via phone on 9902 0400.

If you have been notified by the DHHS that you are a close contact of a confirmed case

If you have been notified by the DHHS that you are a close contact of a confirmed case, separate yourself from others. DHHS will give you detailed information on the next steps, including what to do if you need to arrange to be tested.
You must not come to campus, and must isolate in your home for 14 days until you are informed by public health authorities that it is safe to return to your usual activities. Refer to the DHHS close contact factsheet for more information.

‘Close contact’ is defined as having face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, or alternatively sharing a closed space with them for more than two hours. Close contact can happen in many ways, but examples include:
- Living in the same household or household-like setting (for example a hostel).
- Direct contact with the body fluids or laboratory specimens of a confirmed case.
- Being in the same room for two hours or more.
- Face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes in some other setting, such as in a car, in a lift or sitting next to them on public transport.

What to do if you are tested for COVID-19 and the test is negative

What to do if you are tested for COVID-19 and the test is positive

Campus safety measures

The health, safety and wellbeing of our community is our top priority, and we continue to be guided by the health advice of the Victorian Government, and the University’s Chief Medical Officer.

Below is a consolidated list of the strategies and actions we have in place to manage COVID-19. More information can be found in our COVID Safe Plan.

No staff, student or member of our community can visit any of our campuses if they’re feeling unwell and/or displaying the mildest of symptoms associated with COVID-19. They MUST get tested immediately and stay home until they have received a negative test result, and are fully recovered.
Strict physical distancing measures have been implemented across all of our campuses to ensure a distance of 1.5 metres between people can be maintained. This includes signage and floor markings.
- Individual work activities are to be assessed by faculties/divisions, and designed to maintain physical distancing so far as practicable. For essential activities that require people to come within 1.5m of one another, a risk assessment must be undertaken and additional safety measures implemented including reducing the time of the activity, the size of groups and the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE). The University’s OHS team is available to assist with risk assessments.
Health alert posters have been installed across our campuses and on digital screens in all central teaching facilities to reinforce basic hygiene rules (e.g. washing your hands regularly; cough and sneeze etiquette etc.) to prevent further spread of COVID-19

Hand sanitiser stations have been installed across all buildings to allow staff and students to sanitise their hands before they enter and exit.
- In addition, all faculties and divisions are asked to provide hand sanitiser in their local offices/areas to allow staff and students to regularly sanitise their hands during the day.

High-risk health categories

Travel advice View fact sheet

Key travel restrictions

Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are restricted by the Federal Government from travelling overseas from 25 March, 2020.
This prohibition is aligned with the Government's decision to raise the DFAT smartraveller travel advice to level 4 - do not travel overseas.
- All requests for international travel exemptions made by Australians and other nationalities, for travel in or out of Australia, are managed by the Australian Border Force. Exemption requests may be made on the basis of:
  - Essential or necessary travel
  - Travel in the national interest
  - Travel on compassionate and/or humanitarian grounds.
International travel restrictions are imposed on all people arriving in Australia.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and need Australian consular assistance, you can find more information on the smartraveller website.

University-related travel

Domestic travel

As the impact and response to COVID-19 continues, including the imposition of state and territory government restrictions, travel may be subject to change at short notice across domestic borders.
Accordingly, the University directs that domestic travel be avoided unless it is ‘absolutely essential for the performance of the traveller’s work’ and formally approved on that basis by the travellers Portfolio Head or Dean, prior to booking.
The traveller must check and ensure compliance with all relevant and current state and territory travel restrictions.
All travel must be strictly in accordance with the University’s procedures.

International travel

Effective 25 March, 2020, staff are not permitted to book any university-related international travel. This is consistent with advice from the Australian Government's Department of Health and smartraveller.
This advice has been issued for two key reasons:
- Potential higher risk of contracting COVID-19 overseas.
- Travel becoming more complex and unpredictable. Entry or movement restrictions are changing often and quickly.
Monash is continually monitoring advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and will not compromise on the safety and wellbeing of staff.
If you have any queries related to existing bookings or travel requests, including deferred travel, please contact the Monash Security Office at travelsecurity@monash.edu.

Travel insurance

There is different University travel insurance coverage dependent on whether you booked before, on or after Friday 6 March 2020 (AEST). In all instances, you will need to contact your travel agent, airline and accommodation provider to alter arrangements and seek a refund before submitting a claim.

Bookings made prior to 9am Friday 6 March 2020 and travelling within 60 days of this booking (students and staff)

If you need to cancel or amend your travel for reasons permitted under the insurance policy, there is no change and losses will be reimbursed. This includes for COVID-19-related reasons. Insurance cover includes:
- Loss of deposits, cancellation costs, curtailment and disruption (including COVID-19 related disruptions).
- Medical costs and losses from cancellation, disruption or curtailment in the event of contracting COVID-19.

Bookings made after 9am Friday 6 March until 12pm Tuesday 17 March 2020 and travelling within 60 days of this booking (students and staff)

If you need to change or cancel arrangements for any reason associated with COVID-19 before you travel, other than you have contracted the illness, (for example, an organiser cancels an event due to COVID-19 or flights are cancelled) losses incurred are not covered by the University travel insurance policy. This includes loss of deposits, cancellation costs, disruption costs and curtailment costs.
If you need to cancel your travel prior to the scheduled travel date due to contracting COVID-19 or being required to be in self-isolation, losses of deposits, cancellation costs, disruption costs and curtailment costs are covered due to illness.
Should you contract COVID-19 whilst travelling, you will be covered for medical expenses and associated curtailment costs under the University travel insurance policy.
There are some instances where travel losses may be incurred that are not covered by the University’s travel insurance. The University will review requests via the hardship support process. Ensure you keep receipts and communications with travel suppliers.

Bookings made after 12pm Tuesday 17 March 2020

If you purchased or made booking arrangements on or after 12 pm 17 March 2020, or embarked on travel commencing 12pm 17 March 2020, you will not be covered for any claim and/or loss arising due to COVID-19. This includes loss of deposits, cancellation costs, disruption and medical and/or evacuation.

Study Abroad

Students currently in Australia

Support for students View fact sheet

Services available for students affected by COVID-19 pandemic

Students living on campus

Monash Residential Services (MRS) continues to operate for students wishing to live on-campus.

We acknowledge and understand that during this period of growing uncertainty, some students wished to return home to family and friends. As such, students who wished to cancel their 2020 residential agreement with MRS and move out of their Hall were given the option to do so without financial penalty, on the provision that rooms were completely vacated and keys were returned. Residents who chose to depart in 2020 were given priority access to return to on-campus accommodation in 2020 (to an equivalent room/studio) if they wished to do so.

In response to COVID-19, Monash Residential Services (MRS) has adapted its operations to protect the health and wellbeing of residents including delivering an extended range of online community engagement programs and activities; increasing security in our residences in all halls; maintaining fully resourced Residential Support Teams for 24/7 support and supporting any residents required to self-isolate.

Monash Residential Services must adhere to all Victorian Government Department of Health restrictions in relation to COVID-19 in order to support the health, safety and wellbeing of the residential community.

The below Department of Health restrictions within MRS accommodation are effective as of 6.00pm Friday 26 March 2021:

Capacity

Capacity limits on bedroom/studio apartments are no longer required. Residents are reminded of their obligations as outlined in the Conditions of Residency.

Communal spaces

The University’s Chief Medical Officer has, and continues to be, in consultation with the Department of Health (DH) in relation to Victorian Government COVID-19 restrictions and their application within the Monash Residential Services (MRS) environment.

You must adhere to all room capacity limits as displayed on the entrances to each communal space.
Communal spaces may be accessed by visitors.
No time limits apply to communal space use.
Keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others at all times and remember to practise good hygiene in communal spaces.
Peninsula Residential Village residents may use the communal spaces on the ground floor of Gillies Hall in accordance with capacity limits. Anywhere else in Gillies Hall may only be accessed by a Residential Village resident as a visitor of a current Gillies Hall resident.

Cleaning

In response to COVID-19, Monash Residential Services (MRS) has adapted its operations to protect the health and wellbeing of residents. This includes implementing additional cleaning in all communal bathrooms, toilets and common areas within halls. Permanent sanitiser stations have also been installed in each hall.

For the shared ‘household’ accommodation style in the South East Flats and Peninsula, MRS has provided residents with cleaning supplies, instructions and cleaning equipment including: bucket, dust pan, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, cloths, anti-bacterial spray, floor cleaner and gloves.

You can also find out more about the University’s campus safety measures on the COVID-19 updates website.

Department of Health correspondence/policy

Monash Residential Services (MRS) has not set any of the COVID-19 restrictions. However, it is our role to ensure government directives are strictly adhered to.

MRS and the University have been working with the Department of Health (DH) throughout this year via the University’s Chief Medical Officer.

At all times, Monash has highlighted the circumstances in our residences and worked with the DH to find the best way possible to implement the numerous health requirements. The health and safety of all our residences is our top priority throughout this time and beyond.

MRS are not trying to enforce additional restrictions to those already mandated by the DH.

Dining

Victorian Government guidelines for restaurants and cafes do not apply in Monash Residential Services (MRS) as it is a communal living environment.

The Halls Cafe remains open for take-away only.

'Household' classification

The Department of Health (DH) has directed that Monash Residential Services (MRS) halls are considered communal living environments, rather than households.

Masks

Face masks are no longer be required in retail settings, including the Campus Centre at Clayton campus, but you’ll still need to carry one at all times and wear it when visiting University Health Services, or when travelling in a Monash vehicle including intercampus buses.

Where 1.5 metres physical distancing cannot be maintained, wearing a face mask is strongly recommended.

Face masks are mandatory when travelling on public transport or when traveling in a commercial passenger vehicle (unless a lawful exemption applies), by visitors to a hospital and by visitors to a care facility (while indoors)

Any person diagnosed or suspected of having COVID-19, or who is a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19, must wear a face mask if leaving home/accommodation for a permitted reason, such as medical care.

Mental health support

A range of mental health support services are available to Monash Residential Services (MRS) residents, including free confidential counselling via video or phone consultation. To make a booking, call (03) 9905 3020.

See this resource for more information on the support services available.

Other

The MRS sports field can be used in line with capacity restrictions shown on the entrance. Keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others at all times.

MRS BBQ areas are open.

Outbreak

The University has a detailed management plan in place for a positive or suspected case of COVID-19 within the community, and has established a Crisis Management Team (CMT) who meet regularly to manage the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the University and its community.

Outdoor

Up to 200 people can gather in public from any number of households. Infants under 12 months are not included in the cap

Whilst at MRS large gatherings of residents must comply with the MRS Conditions of Residency.

Rent

Monash Residential Services (MRS) accommodation fees are very competitive and are 25 per cent less than market rates. We’re not offering reduced rent for residents.

Reporting/enforcing

If you see a resident breaking any Victorian Government COVID-19 regulations, please report this to your RSTO.

Restrictions will be enforced by members of the Residential Support Team and MRS Services Personnel.

Any breach of the restrictions will be managed under Section 13.2 of the MRS conditions of Residency for all MRS properties except (Briggs Hall and Jackomos Hall)

Any breach of the restrictions will be referred to the office of student conduct for residents of Briggs Hall and Jackomos Hall.

Studios

The Urban Community is considered a communal living environment as each hall has a common room, games room, laundry, two kitchens on each floor and an outdoor BBQ/garden area.

Visitors/partners

Up to 100 visitors can visit a home in a day (infants under 12 months are not counted in the cap). Visitors may be from any number of households and may visit either together or separately. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.

Upon entry into a hall/household, all visitors must register using the QR code posted at the entrance (residents from other MRS halls may scan their Mpass on the card reader when entering a hall to register, rather than using the QR code). Residents are responsible for ensuring their visitor registers.

Your visitor may stay overnight (if approved by the College Head and as per section 9 of the Conditions of Residency). ‘Overnight guest forms’ can be found here.

Residents are reminded of their visitor/guest obligations as outlined in the Conditions or Residency.

Residents are reminded to notify a member of their Residential Support Team if they are not well or have been tested, to enable MRS to provide appropriate support.

Student visas and confirmation of enrolment

Monash understands students may be concerned about the impact an increase in online study might have on their student visa.
The Australian Government has confirmed that Monash can deliver more than one-third of a course via online study to international students during the COVID-19 pandemic, for students both in Australia and overseas.
We understand from the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) that qualifications would be recognised including an online study component if students are currently enrolled at the University and their on-campus study has been disrupted by COVID-19, with them having to continue their study with the university through online means during the disrupted period. Students are advised to maintain records of their communications with the University to provide CSCSE with documentation, which verifies that they have indeed been impacted by the COVID-19 situation.
Depending on your individual course, assessments will be adapted to suit the mode of study. Please contact Monash Connect if you’d like to discuss any changes to how your course is being delivered.

Implications for your enrolment:

The Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) that is issued by Monash is the University’s guarantee to the Department of Home Affairs that a student is enrolled in an approved Monash course, and on receipt of a CoE from Monash the Department issues the student visa. Only the Department of Home Affairs can issue or cancel a student visa.
Once issued, there are specific visa conditions that must be adhered to. Students must remain enrolled in an approved course, and the CoE issued by Monash provides the evidence of this enrolment.
Because Monash is now able to deliver more of your course online, the University will manage your enrolment in the following ways:

Monash won’t make any changes to your CoE if:

You want to study online in your home country and intend to return to Australia;
You are currently in Australia, but want to return home and study online for a period of time before returning to Australia to complete your degree; or
You are currently in Australia, and your course has been moved to online study.

Monash will cancel your CoE if:

You return home to complete your course with no intention to return to Australia. If you change your mind later and wish to return to Australia and your visa has been cancelled, you will need to apply for a new student visa.

Visa application and date changes

If you’re waiting on a decision on a visa application and have a revised CoE from Monash, you should advise the Department of Home Affairs of the new CoE. This is to ensure your student visa will reflect the adjusted dates on your most recent CoE.

Other student visa changes

The Department of Home Affairs has temporarily increased the number of hours that individuals on a student visa can work, in certain fields of work.

Other visa enquiries

The Department of Home Affairs is the only agency with the power to issue or cancel a student visa. If you have questions about the status of your visa or your application, you should contact the Department of Home Affairs. Further information is available on their website.

Changes to international student visa arrangements:

The Australian Federal Government announced the following visa changes for international students on 20 July:
- The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.
- International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge, if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19.
- Student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 will be able to use that study to count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.
- Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.
- Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.