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

Attendance on campus is strictly limited to permitted workers and exempt students, and face masks must be worn at all times.

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 10 Aug 2020 4:54pm

Impact of Stage 4 restrictions on our teaching and learning, and operations

Following the Victorian Government's recent announcement declaring a State of Disaster and the implementation of Stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne, we have made some changes to our teaching and learning, and operations.
Familiarise yourself with how Monash will operate during Stage 4. Further information will be provided once available.

Library operations

Matheson, Peninsula and Caulfield libraries remain open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm on a limited basis to support students without adequate study facilities at home. All other libraries are closed until at least 13 September.

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.

Access to Childcare Permits

The Victorian Government has released the details for access to onsite childcare and kinder.
This is restricted to staff who are deemed to be a permitted worker and are unable to supervise their children at home whilst delivering their permitted work and staff with vulnerable children who need to attend childcare/kindergarten.
In compliance with government directions, Monash can only issue an Access to Onsite Childcare/Kindergarten Permit to permitted workers.
This is to ensure community travel and mobility as part of Stage 4 Restrictions is limited, and the University is obligated to operate within this context.
Faculties and divisions are required to coordinate requests from their staff and submit requests to hr@monash.edu using the Onsite Childcare/Kindergarten Template. HR will process these requests as quickly as possible.

See this State Government resource outlining examples of workplaces that are closed for on-site work, open for on-site work with a COVID Safe Plan, and where there are restricted operations or industry specific obligations.

Last updated 10 Aug 2020 4:54pm

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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Fact sheet

Impact of Stage 4 restrictions on campus operations View fact sheet

Working from home arrangements and permitted workers

Consistent with the latest State Government advice, staff who are working from home MUST continue to do so until at least Friday 11 September, unless required for an activity that is exempt from the restrictions.

Staff who are required to attend campus to perform permitted work can continue to travel to campus.

In line with Victorian Government requirements, staff will need to have an authorised permitted workers’ permit, approved by Monash, if you are to come to campus, effective 11.59pm tonight (Wednesday 5 August). Only the Chief Human Resources Officer, Bridgid Connors, is authorised to issue such permits.

Issuing of permits will be prioritised for staff who are required to attend work this week and upcoming weekend.

Faculties and divisions will be required to send their consolidated list of requests to hr@monash.edu. Senior Management Team members will receive a more detailed email today regarding the template to be completed and will cascade what information is required to the relevant areas.

If issued, staff must carry the worker permit and photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace. The permit can be shown electronically to authorities, such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device.

Individual requests are not to be made to Human Resources and will not be actioned. Staff should talk with their supervisor if they have any questions regarding whether they will be deemed a permitted worker under Stage 4 restrictions.

To be eligible, faculties and divisions must ensure that staff meet the University’s interpretation of permitted worker in the following categories:

Staff involved in core operations, including providing on-campus exempt teaching activities such as staff teaching medical and nursing students in their final and penultimate years, remote education delivery, ensuring safe workplaces and/or compliance with Victorian Government restrictions (including the Crisis Management Team)
Staff involved in supporting critical research and research infrastructure as agreed with the Provost
Staff who are caring for animals, agriculture or horticulture
Staff who are supporting students who are unable to participate in online or remote learning
Staff who need to develop and or/deliver exempt on-campus teaching, and any online learning, including support staff
Staff who are required to manage and provide on-site services and support to Monash Residential Services (MRS) residents
Staff who provide or oversee critical campus infrastructure services, utilities and cleaning and stores.
Staff who are required to manage and provide security services.
Staff who are required to manage and provide University Health Services including Fast Track Clinics
Staff who are required to manage and provide essential services or products including the Monash Merchant, Monash Campus Centre Pharmacy and Post Office.
Staff who are invigilating or providing technical support for exams or other forms of assessment.

In addition to staff who meet a permitted worker category, staff who are required to attend campus for extenuating personal reasons, such as safety at home, can be issued with a permit. These confidential requests should be made directly to the Chief Human Resources Officer via email bridgid.connors@monash.edu.

The Victorian Government has released the details for access to onsite childcare and kinder.

This is restricted to staff who are deemed to be a permitted worker and are unable to supervise their children at home whilst delivering their permitted work and staff with vulnerable children who need to attend childcare/kindergarten.
In compliance with government directions, Monash can only issue an Access to Onsite Childcare/Kindergarten Permit to permitted workers.
This is to ensure community travel and mobility as part of Stage 4 Restrictions is limited, and the University is obligated to operate within this context.
Faculties and divisions are required to coordinate requests from their staff and submit requests to hr@monash.edu using the Onsite Childcare/Kindergarten Template. HR will process these requests as quickly as possible.

Students must adhere to the 8pm – 5am curfew when travelling for study.

You do not need to record your campus attendance as this will be captured from eduroam and swipe cards.

You cannot work at multiple campuses or locations.

You must wear a face mask while on campus at all times, consistent with the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer, unless you are alone in an office with a closed door.

Where the University has conducted a risk assessment and deemed that a surgical or other grade mask is required for University-related activities, the University will supply this.

You should not attend our campuses for any reason if you are feeling unwell and/or displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 – even if they are mild. You must get tested and then stay home until you have received a negative result.

See this State Government resource (page six) outlining examples of workplaces that are closed for on-site work, open for on-site work with a COVID Safe Plan, and where there are restricted operations or industry specific obligations.

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Monash Sport

Libraries

Campus access

Travel

Health and wellbeing

Semester two

Overview

Teaching and learning arrangements in semester two

Semester two dates

Scheduling for physical distancing

Assessments

Introducing new intakes in November 2020

Changes to semester two, 2020 View fact sheet

Semester two key dates

Graduations

April

All graduation ceremonies for April 2020 were postponed until further notice.
If you remained as ‘attending’, we’ll list you to attend a replacement event.
Your attendance fee is your contribution to the event cost and won’t be refunded at this time. After receiving replacement event details, you may find that you can’t attend – if so, you can request a refund then.
Your hardcopy award certificate has been posted to you, unless you arranged to collect it.
If you’re a coursework student and requested to change to not attending, you cannot attend a later replacement event or graduation ceremony.
You’ll use WES to request your hard copy award certificate with postage payable.
- Collection period postponed
  - Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the April graduation round document collection period (previously scheduled for Monday 4 May – Wednesday 6 May, & Friday 8 May) has been postponed until further notice.
  - Although we have not yet rescheduled this collection period, it is now unlikely to occur this year. We’ll email you again once we know more about the timing.
  - If you graduated in absentia in April and nominated to collect your award certificate, we have emailed you with your options.

May

All graduation ceremonies for May 2020 were postponed until further notice.
If you remained as ‘attending’, we’ll list you to attend a replacement event.
Your attendance fee is your contribution to the event cost and won’t be refunded at this time. After receiving replacement event details, you may find that you can’t attend – if so, you can request a refund then.
Your hardcopy award certificate has been posted to the address listed in your student record as of Sunday 24 May, unless you arranged to collect it.
If you’re a coursework student and requested to change to not attending, you cannot attend a later replacement event or graduation ceremony.
You’ll use WES to request your hard copy award certificate with postage payable.
- Collection period postponed
  - Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the May graduation round’s document collection period (previously scheduled for Monday 10 August – Friday 14 August) has been postponed until further notice.
  - Although we have not yet rescheduled this collection period, it is now unlikely to occur this year. We’ll email you again once we know more about the timing.
  - If you graduated in absentia in May and nominated to collect your award certificate, we have emailed you with your options.

June

We’ve had to cancel the June 2020 graduation ceremony at our Suzhou campus.
If you applied to graduate in June, we've emailed you directly with more information, including your options to graduate in 2020 or defer.

July

We are only accepting applications from Australia Award Scholarship recipients for the July ceremonies.
If you’re a non-Australia Award Scholarship Higher Degree by Research student and you applied to graduate in July, we've emailed you directly with more information, including your options to graduate in 2020 or defer.

September/October

We're no longer accepting applications to attend the September/October ceremonies at our Clayton campus.
We’ll update you with details on future opportunities to celebrate your achievement once we have more information on requirements for physical distancing and gatherings, in accordance with advice from state and federal health authorities.
Applications remain open for students who wish to graduate without attending a ceremony (in absentia).

November

We're no longer accepting applications to attend the November ceremonies at our Kuala Lumpur campus.
We’ll update you with details on future opportunities to celebrate your achievement once we have more information on requirements for physical distancing and gatherings, in accordance with advice from state and federal health authorities.
Applications remain open for students who wish to graduate without attending a ceremony (in absentia).

Defer attendance to a later ceremony round – Higher Degree by Research students only

If you’re a Higher Degree by Research student and you’d prefer to attend a ceremony in a later round, please contact the Graduations Unit using our online contact form.

More information and contact details

Visit Graduating at Monash.
Contact Monash Connect for all graduation enquiries. Live chat is also available during business hours.

Graduate research students

New applications for admission or scholarship

Please refer to the how to apply webpage for admission and scholarship application closing dates.

Change of commencement date

If you have a current offer of admission (with or without a scholarship offer) but you are not able to commence your enrolment by the date stated in your offer letter, please:
- Discuss your proposed new date with your supervisor and/or faculty, ensuring the new date is realistic under current circumstances, and
- Submit an online request to defer/change your commencement date.

New enrolling students

The Australian Government has placed restrictions on entry to Australia from 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020. Refer to the Department of Home Affairs website for details.
For information on how to enrol, students should refer to the Monash Graduate Research Office How to Enrol page.

Induction and orientation

Induction for new graduate research students will continue as normal if it can be conducted remotely/digitally (e.g. via Zoom).
Refer to the Monash Doctoral Program - Compulsory Module to complete all online modules.

Scholarships

If you are on a scholarship administered by Monash, payment will continue as scheduled on a fortnightly basis.
For currently enrolled students in receipt of a RTP Stipend or MGS Stipend, extensions will be automatically applied to the maximum available provision. For details, refer to Extending your central scholarship or thesis submission date below.
For students who are on a scholarship funded by an external body, sponsor, faculty or academic unit, standard extension provisions apply. For more information, you should refer to the terms and conditions of your scholarship, or seek advice from the funding body or your academic unit or faculty.

Planning your research over the next six months

Students enrolled through Monash Australia who need to access specialist research laboratory spaces to continue their research should refer to the relevant section of this Fact Sheet, Reactivating our Australian campuses. Supervision meetings should be conducted via online means (e.g. Zoom, Skype etc.), with anyone who can progress their research from home continuing to do so
If you haven’t done so already, you should contact your supervisors and put in place a work plan to manage your enrolment over the next six months.
Your work plan should include a review of your current situation to determine if you need to make any changes to your research, agreeing on an alternative course of action where your research activities are delayed. For part time options, you can also refer to Converting to part time enrolment and Applying for Leave below.

If you are not able to contact your supervisors, you can contact your Graduate Research Coordinator or your Head of Academic Unit for advice. (Refer to the section below under Contacting the Monash Graduate Research Office and your faculty).

Progress milestones

PhD and Research Masters Milestone Review Panels (MRPs) should continue where practicable. Zoom conferencing should be used for all milestones, and Monash has a website to support you in utilising Zoom to its full potential.
Milestones that cannot proceed can be rescheduled, and if necessary, you can apply for an extension to a milestone.

Monash Doctoral Program (MDP)

Professional development: Monash Graduate Research Office, faculties and other units (e.g. Library) have modified existing face-to-face professional development training to online/webinar delivery where practical, and developed new online content. Updates on new content or online versions will be reported in the Graduate Research newsletter. You are encouraged to access the existing large volume (over 300 hours) of online training within myDevelopment.
Semester two coursework units: delivered as part of the Monash DoctoralProgram, refer to the relevant faculty graduate research office.

Extending your scholarship

During these exceptional circumstances, the extension process has been simplified if you are a doctoral student on a RTP Stipend or MGS Stipend and you were enrolled as of 8 April, 2020:
- You will be automatically granted an extension, bringing the standard duration to the maximum three years and six months equivalent full-time. If you are on a central tuition fee scholarship (e.g., a Monash International Tuition Scholarship) or a faculty or academic unit tuition fee scholarship, your tuition fee scholarship will also be extended to the maximum three years and six months equivalent full-time.
- For students who are on a scholarship funded by an external body or sponsor, or who are on an academic unit or faculty stipend, standard extension provisions apply. For more information, you should refer to the terms and conditions of your scholarship, or seek advice from the funding body or from your academic unit or faculty.

Extending your thesis submission date - Doctoral students

Doctoral students enrolled via Monash Australia have received an automatic extension to candidature, taking the thesis submission date to 3.5 years equivalent full time, pro-rated for part-time students. This provision applies to all students enrolled as of 8 April 2020.

The updated thesis submission date can be viewed via your Research Enrolment Summary.
If you need to apply to extend your thesis submission date beyond 3.5 years equivalent full-time, you may apply for an extension to your thesis submission date. Refer to Section 8 of the Graduate Research Progress Management Procedures. The COVID-19 situation is considered a valid ground for applying for an extension where it has impacted your ability to undertake research. In your application, please ensure you provide details on how the COVID-19 situation impacted your research.

Extending your thesis submission date - Masters by Research students

Masters by research students can apply for an extension to your thesis submission date. Please refer to the Graduate Research Progress Management Procedures for extension options.
The COVID-19 situation is considered a valid ground for applying for an extension where it has impacted on your ability to undertake your research. In your application, please ensure you provide details on how the COVID-19 situation has impacted your research.
Please note that if you are enrolled in the Master of Philosophy through IIE MSA, any extension to your thesis submission date must be considered in the context of existing teach-out arrangements and timeframes.

Graduate Research Completion Award (GRCA)

While the COVID-19 disruption continues, Monash Australia doctoral and masters by research students completing in 2020 may be eligible to apply for a supplementary Graduate Research Completion Award.
This award has been introduced to support graduate research students in their final year, who have been significantly impacted during COVID-19 and are close to submitting their thesis for examination.
It provides funding at the RTP/MGS stipend rate of up to 12 weeks equivalent full time (doctoral students) and six weeks equivalent full time (masters by research students).
Further details on this award, including eligibility, selection criteria and the application process are available here.

Converting to part-time enrolment

We encourage you to speak to your supervisory team if part-time enrolment might be an option for you.
If converting to part time, please refer to the attendance provisions outlined in chapter 3.4 of the Handbook for Doctoral Degrees / chapter 3.3 of the Handbook for Research Master’s Degrees.
If you are on a Monash central scholarship (such as a MGS or RTP Stipend), please refer to section 4.13 of the RTP Scholarship Procedures so that you are aware of the implications of converting to part time. Students on any other scholarship, including scholarships funded by other funding bodies, must first check with the funding body to confirm part time enrolment is permitted.

Applying for Leave

If you are not able to undertake your studies at this time or you wish to take leave, leave options are outlined in the Doctoral and Research Masters handbooks. (Chapter 4)
Sick leave entitlements may be used to cover leave for students with family caring responsibilities. A statutory declaration is acceptable evidence to access paid carer’s leave during COVID-19 restrictions.

Study away/travel grants

Study away
- All domestic and international travel is currently suspended. No applications will be approved at this time.
- All previously approved planned study away has been cancelled. If you are impacted by this cancellation, you can re-apply at a future date when the current restrictions have been removed.
Travel grants
- No travel grant applications will be approved until further notice.
Insurance
- If you have a query relating to travel insurance or other insurance, please contact the University Insurance Office here.

Financial assistance for students

The Monash Graduate Association’s financial assistance guide provides the details of a number of organisations (including within Monash University) that provide financial relief.

Internships and placements

Internships managed by APR Intern continue to operate. APR Intern is liaising closely with organisations where internships are currently in place or pending commencement.
Students on internships or placements must follow the directions of the organisation and University at this time.

Joint PhD programs

Students currently enrolled in joint award programs are required to follow the advice and/or direction of both universities at this time. Please maintain contact with your Monash main supervisor and keep yourself informed of current requirements.
Where mandatory residency requirements are impacted by current travel bans, students and supervisors should revise their research project requirements and timelines to accommodate potentially delayed or shortened residency at the host partner. Please contact the Monash Graduate Research Office for advice.

GRIP programs

Students enrolled in GRIP programs must follow the directions of the partner organisation and the University at this time. Please maintain regular contact with your Monash supervisory team.

Graduate research examinations

Graduate research thesis examinations are continuing as normal – online submission is available here. As always, we recommend that supervisors contact potential examiners in the first instance and ascertain their ability to undertake the examination process at this time.

Contacting the Monash Graduate Research Office and your faculty

The Monash Graduate Research Office (MGRO) has transferred to virtual operations, and is available to assist students with any queries as usual from Monday to Friday during business hours.
If you have any question relating to the administration of your enrolment, you can contact:
- The Monash Graduate Research Office (MGRO)
  - E: mgro-candidature@monash.edu
  - T: +61 3 9905 3009

Your faculty (refer to the faculty contact lists)

Fees

International campuses

Placements/WIL, internships and secondary schools outreach programs

Placements and school outreach programs

Internships

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

Peronalised study journeys for students based offshore

We’ve developed personalised study journeys for students who can’t make it to Australia to commence semester one as planned, so they can complete their course and graduate as first intended.

Eligible students have been individually contacted to review their personal study plan, which has been developed for them by a faculty course advisor.

Monash is committed to ensuring students, currently based overseas, are able to start their semester one studies, be up-to-date and be able to progress their studies in 2021.

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 now 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.

Campus and building access

Exams and assessments

We’ve made some changes to our assessment and exam processes in response to COVID-19, to support our students while also maintaining academic integrity.

Assessment format:

In-semester tests and end-of-semester exams may use an eAssessment platform to conduct remote eExams (using your own device in your own home).
You can learn more about what to expect and device specifications on our eExams webpage.
Check the format of your exams in your assessment timetable by checking the reference field next to your unit code. Click on the venue description for more details. Unless you are notified otherwise, all exams are based on Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).
Monash will not conduct invigilated exams unless the faculty or an external accrediting body has determined it is necessary to ensure academic integrity, but will use alternative and comparably rigorous assessments.
Online invigilated exams will be supervised by Monash staff, not an external provider. If your timetable shows you have a department run exam, it means your faculty or teaching department is coordinating this assessment. Check your unit's Moodle page or contact your Chief Examiner for more information.

Academic Safety Net working group outcomes:

To support you in achieving the best possible academic outcome during the disruption caused by COVID-19, with the close involvement of elected student representatives, we’ve made temporary changes to grading and results for eligible teaching periods.
The recommendations that were voted on and approved by Academic Board are:
- Supplementary assessment: If students achieve a mark of 40-49, they can choose to complete supplementary assessment in all the units that meet these criteria. The previous cap of two units for supplementary assessments is relaxed.
- Existing threshold hurdles: Any existing threshold hurdles will be applied at 40, not the current mark of 45, including exams.
- Withdrawing from units with no fail grade: After results are released, students can choose to exclude the results of all passed units studied in semester one from the calculation of their Grade Point Average and Weighted Average Mark. This is based on the principle that the disadvantage experienced by the student is experienced in all units, not just select units. Students who opt to exclude their results will have each unit which they passed recorded as SFR (Satisfied Faculty Requirements) on the transcript.
COVID-19 arrangements for students enrolled in MSA teach-out courses, offered in cooperation with Monash University, will be communicated directly by IIE MSA, the campus owner and operator.

Academic progress processes

Proof of completion View fact sheet

Health advice View fact sheet

General health information

All students and staff must follow the health advice of the Department of Health and Human Services and that of the Monash Chief Medical Officer.
As of 12.01am Monday, 16 March, all people who arrive in Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days. If you are experiencing symptoms, wear a surgical mask if you have one to help avoid potential spread of any illness, separate yourself from others, and call the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated COVID-19 hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 hours, 7 days a week). If you have severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, call 000 and request an ambulance, and inform the paramedics where you have recently been.
Further guidance on home isolation is found here.
Monash University’s Health Service continues to take direction from the local medical authorities and will follow the established COVID-19 reporting framework.
Follow basic hygiene rules to prevent further spread:
- Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze (with a flexed elbow or tissue, not your hand).
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid touching your face and mouth after touching surfaces.
- Don't spend time with people who are sick.
- Don't go to work or attend campus if you feel sick.
Staff and students must continue to check the advice as it is likely to be updated regularly as this situation develops.

Face masks

Based on the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer, a face covering will be mandatory whenever you leave home - and wherever you live - from 11.59pm Sunday, 2 August. Please note the Victoria Police issued fine for not wearing a face covering is $200
This advice is due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in recent days.
Wearing a face mask provides an additional physical barrier and helps to reduce community transmission, however keeping 1.5 metres between yourself and others and washing your hands are still the best defences against COVID-19.
Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our community, and providing a safe environment for all.
In line with Victorian Government advice, all students, staff, and visitors to campus are required to wear their own face mask or covering, with some exceptions, such as for medical reasons.
Where the University has conducted a risk assessment and deemed that a surgical, or other grade, mask is required, the University will supply this.
Watch this video featuring the University's Chief Medical Officer Dr Vicki Ashton for more information about 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

Travel advice View fact sheet

Key travel restrictions

Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents are restricted from travelling overseas from 25 March, 2020.
Exemptions, which will be managed by the Australian Border Force, will apply to a range of categories for travellers, including for those citizens ordinarily resident overseas where travel:
- Is essential or necessary.
- Is in the nation's national interest.
- And on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.
This prohibition is aligned with the Government's decision to raise the smartraveller travel advice to level 4 - do not travel overseas.
International travel restrictions are imposed on all people arriving in Australia. From March 16, all international arrivals to Australia are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days.
On 19 March, the Federal Government announced the closure of Australia’s borders. All non-citizens and non-residents will be banned from arriving in Australia from 9pm on Friday 20 March.
All Australian citizens, residents and direct family members will still be able to enter the country from overseas, but will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
We are assisting students who are Australian citizens to return to Australia. Further information about this will be provided directly to affected students. Students that are non-citizens or non-residents will be provided assistance to the best of our ability if they request it.
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
- The University recommends all domestic travel is avoided unless it is absolutely essential for the performance of your work.
- Where essential travel is required, the following applies:
  - As at 1 June 2020, staff may travel domestically where Government guidelines allow;
  - Approval for travel must be strictly in accordance with the University’s Travel Procedures.
  - For travel to restricted domestic areas, staff must obtain the relevant State exemption or permit prior to booking.
- 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-10 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 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 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 overseas (Australian campuses)

According to the latest advice from the Australian Government, Australians are restricted from travelling overseas at this time.
It is recommended that all Australians currently overseas return home as soon as possible.
The University recommends that Monash students studying overseas return to their home country where practicable.

Students planning overseas study for Winter and Semester 2, 2020 (Australian and Malysian campuses)

The University has cancelled mobility programs for Winter and Semester 2, 2020 and is not approving new requests for study overseas in 2020 at this time.
This includes exchange and independent semester abroad programs, global study tours, global work integrated learning and HDR study away programs.
If you have an active application for exchange, independent semester abroad or another overseas program, Monash Abroad will contact you to provide advice and possible alternative options.
If you require an overseas study component to course or unit complete, please speak with your faculty as soon as possible about alternatives and options for meeting your course requirements.

Students planning to study overseas in 2021 (Australian and Malaysian Campuses)

If you have or are planning to apply for Semester 1, 2021 exchange or an independent semester abroad (applications close on 29 May), we don't recommend:
- Making travel/flight bookings which cannot be easily changed
- Making non-refundable payments;
- Quitting your part-time job;
- Cancelling any current leases or other accommodation; nor
- Paying deposits at your host institution. If you are being asked to make holding deposits for accommodation, please liaise with the coordinator at your host institution to discuss alternative options.
2021 short-term programs (study tours, Prato, global summer/winter programs, WIL) are being considered. Updates when they occur, will be available on the Monash Abroad Portal.

Completing students finishing at Monash and leaving Australia

Check with a reputable travel agent the status of your flight/s or booking one. It may be difficult for you to get current flight information without the support of a travel agent at this time (websites are not reliable because the information is changing rapidly).
Check and register, if possible, with your home country embassy or consulate for information about repatriation flights that might be happening.
If your student visa is due to expire before you are likely to be able to leave Australia, consider applying for a visitor visa or another visa which you are eligible for that allows you to extend your stay.

Support for students View fact sheet

We've created a dedicated website for students to help support your transition to online learning.

Students living on campus

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.

Support for staff View fact sheet

We've created a dedicated website for our academic staff with Q&As to help support your transition to online teaching.

Thought leadership

Read our latest news as well as expert commentary and research on COVID-19.

Can Victorians stick to the stage four rules? Our perception of what others are doing might be the key

COVID-19 crisis calls for collaboration with cultural leaders

New COVID-19 drug trial could help people recover faster

Dear Melbourne: Lessons learnt from living in lockdown in NZ

Let’s talk to kids about the second COVID-19 wave and new restrictions

The COVID-19 pandemic opens the door to solving the homelessness problem

The emotional toll of COVID-19 among early childhood educators

The 'infodemic' and the consequences of evidence misuse

Description	Date(s) - inclusive
Semester 2 start date	03/08/2020
Mid-semester break	21/09/2020 – 02/10/2020
Census date	07/09/2020
Swot Vac	09/11/2020 – 13/11/2020
Final assessment period	16/11/2020 – 4/12/2020
Results Release	17/12/2020

COVID-19 updates

COVID-19 updates

Fact sheet

Impact of Stage 4 restrictions on campus operations View fact sheet

Changes to semester two, 2020 View fact sheet

Proof of completion View fact sheet

Health advice View fact sheet

Travel advice View fact sheet

Support for students View fact sheet

Support for staff View fact sheet

Thought leadership

Resources

Monash COVID-19 resources

Government COVID-19 resources