Last updated 05 Jan 2023 9:26am

Introduction of pre-departure COVID-19 testing for travellers to Australia from China, Hong Kong or Macau

• From 12.01am on Thursday 5 January 2023, the Australian Government will introduce pre-departure testing for COVID-19 for people travelling to Australia from the People’s Republic of China including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau.
• If travelling from these locations, you will be required to take a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAA) test within 48 hours prior to travel and show evidence of a negative test result when travelling to Australia. If a RAT test is used it must be administered or supervised by a medical practitioner.
• Monash University will offer eligible students travelling from China, Hong Kong or Macau to Australia reimbursement of the reasonable costs incurred (up to AUD150) to get tested pre-departure in order to meet the Australian Government’s requirements for entry to Australia. Details on eligibility for reimbursement and the application process are in development and will be communicated at a later date.
• We’re looking forward to welcoming international students back to Australia and continue to work closely with the government and our students to ensure their safe return to our campuses.
• Read the Australian Government’s website for more information.

Outcome of COVID Safe Plan consultation

• The following key changes have been made to the COVID Safe Plan and will take effect from Monday 14 November:
  • If you test positive to COVID-19 (even if you are asymptomatic) or you have COVID-19 symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you do not return to onsite work or study for five days, and until you are no longer symptomatic. It is the University’s expectation that only those who are well and not presenting with any symptoms attend a Monash campus or location.
  • Fixed-term and ongoing staff who have tested positive to COVID-19 who are not well enough to work can apply for various leave provisions including sick leave, special paid leave and isolation leave in accordance with the criteria detailed in the COVID-19 Staff Guidelines and Enterprise Agreement.
  • Casual and sessional staff who have tested positive to COVID-19 and are unable to work as a result of isolating will be able to apply for an isolation payment by following the updated COVID-19 Staff Guidelines for the remainder of 2022.
• Students who have tested positive to COVID-19 and register it on the COVID-19 reporting form will be able to access an extension from their chief examiner for eligible assessments. This process will be reviewed prior to semester one 2023.
• Thank you to those who provided feedback on the proposed changes to the University’s COVID Safe Plan. We acknowledge your ongoing contribution to this process and support as we continue to evaluate and adapt our operations following state and federal government changes.
• Feedback has been fully considered in the finalisation of the University’s COVID Safe Plan, which has been endorsed by the Monash University Occupational Health and Safety Committee and the University Executive.
• The University's COVID Safe Plan will be reviewed and updated as we continue to respond to the operating challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and changing government health directions. While the formal feedback period has concluded, feedback on Monash’s COVID Safe Plan can continue to be provided to covidsafe@monash.edu.

Changes to reporting processes

• Following the end to the Victorian Government’s pandemic declaration, and subsequent updates to the University’s COVID Safe Plan, staff and students will no longer be required to report they are a contact to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19.
• The requirement for staff and students to report their positive COVID-19 test result to the University has also been removed. However it is the University's expectation that staff and students should report their result to the University to ensure they receive the appropriate support.
• The exposure location webpages will be decommissioned, however the University will continue to monitor positive case numbers reported via the staff and student reporting forms. Please note: Updates to align the reporting forms with reporting process changes are underway.
• Alongside a positive case following the Department of Health’s guidance to notifying their COVID-19 contacts, the University may assist with communication to contacts in instances where multiple positive cases have attended a particular Monash event (such as an email to registrants).

Before you come to campus

Click here for the latest requirements you need to know before you visit our campuses or locations.

View our COVID Safe Plan

Your health, safety and wellbeing

• You must not come to campus if you're unwell or a household contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Monash’s nine-pillar COVID Safe Plan details the strategies in place to protect our staff, students and visitors as we return to campus. If you have any ongoing feedback, please email covidsafe@monash.edu.
• It is the combination of these strategies, and their application to the diverse range of spaces and activities the University undertakes, that ensures our health, safety and wellbeing. For more information, please refer to ‘Health advice and safety measures’.
• However mild, get tested if you have any of the following symptoms – 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's website.

Last updated 05 Jan 2023 9:26am

If you have recovered from COVID-19, you aren’t required to get tested or isolate/quarantine if you are re-exposed to a case within four weeks of ending your isolation period. During these four weeks, we recommend you get tested and isolate until symptoms resolve if you are at a high risk of severe illness.

Staff and HDR students

• If you are a Monash staff member or HDR student and you test positive to COVID-19 you are requested to complete this form to notify the Monash University Contact Tracing Team and your supervisor.
• You will then receive an automatic email containing further information on the support available to you.
• Your supervisor will also receive an automatic email to notify them you have completed the form.

Students

• If you are a Monash student and you test positive to COVID-19 you are requested to complete this form to receive further information on the support available to you. You’re also encouraged to notify your chief examiner if you are well enough to study during your recommended isolation period.

Testing positive to COVID-19

• As per the latest Victorian Government advice, it is strongly recommended those who have tested positive to COVID-19:
  • Isolate immediately for five days. You should only return to a Monash University campus or location after the recommended isolation period is completed and if you are not displaying symptoms.
  • Notify your contacts. Notification to all ‘social’ and ‘workplace’ contacts is the responsibility of the individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, however where multiple positive cases have attended a particular Monash event, Monash may assist with this communication (e.g an email to registrants).
  • Follow the Department of Health’s checklist for COVID cases.

COVID-19 contacts

• If you are a COVID-19 contact, Monash strongly recommends you work or study from home if you can. You should only attend Monash’s Australian campuses and facilities provided you have no COVID-19 symptoms and feel well.
• You may attend a Monash location, but it is the University’s expectation that you do not attend if unwell, including having any COVID-19 symptoms. It is also strongly recommended that you:
  • Wear a mask at all times.
  • Test regularly using Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT). Completion of a daily RAT prior to attending a Monash location is encouraged for the first 7 days following notification you are a COVID-19close contact.
  • Avoid sensitive settings as per the Department of Health guidelines. If you work in a sensitive setting ensure you discuss attendance with your supervisor prior to attending.
• You should follow the relevant checklist from the Department of Health if you are a COVID-19 contact.

Information for supervisors and chief examiners

• Should a staff member or HDR student you supervise complete the form linked above as they have tested positive to COVID-19, or are identified as a close contact of a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you will receive notification via an automated email.
• Cleaning of Monash locations exceeds to the Department of Health requirements, and is coordinated by the Buildings and Property Division.

Further information

There are resources available for anyone who has tested positive to help manage COVID-19 at home. View more information, including a checklist to assist you, here. If you have concerns about worsening symptoms, call your GP or contact a service like Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024 for advice or the University Health Service Triage nurse on 03 9905 3175.

• 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.
• Monash provides free confidential counselling support for any Monash student. If you need support at any time, please call 1300 788 336.
• For updates on Monash College's response to COVID-19, please visit the Monash College website.

Last updated 05 Jan 2023 9:26am

Study arrangements

2023 delivery mode

The full Monash experience extends beyond study. In 2022 our state-of-the-art facilities reopened, over 45,000 people attended major campus events, and ground-breaking programs in innovation, discovery and research launched. In 2023, we’ll continue to deliver face-to-face learning for all students in Australia so they can experience everything our vibrant campuses have to offer. Visit coming to campus for full details.