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.
The Federal Government has announced that the mandatory isolation requirement for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 will end from Friday 14 October.
To ensure our community is adequately informed on how the changes will impact the University’s operations, we will share more information following updates to the Victorian Government’s relevant public health legislation.
Current arrangements for those who test positive to COVID-19 will remain in place until the updated Victorian Government’s relevant public health legislation is assessed in consultation with the University’s OHS Committee and Chief Medical Officer, including the five-day isolation requirement and the strong recommendation to work or study from home on the sixth and seventh days after testing positive. Further information will then be provided to the Monash community and those reporting a positive COVID-19 status to the University .
Have you or a household contact tested positive for COVID-19?
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, or are identified as a household contact of a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you are advised 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.
If you have tested positive, and were at a Monash location during your infectious period, the Monash Contact Tracing Team will contact you to determine the locations that require addition to the University’s exposure location’ webpage. Please ensure you check this webpage regularly.
If you are a household contact, Monash strongly recommends you work or study from home if you can. You must only attend Monash’s Australian campuses or facilities in exceptional circumstances (i.e. staff shortages in a specialised work area or to progress on-campus research or teaching activities to ensure academic advancement) provided you:
have no COVID-19 symptoms
wear a mask at all times
undertake daily Rapid Antigen Tests and only attend work following a negative result
Under the Victorian’s Government’s Pandemic Orders, staff who test positive to COVID-19 are required to notify their workplace contacts, in addition to their social contacts. Staff can find more information on determining their contacts and tips and resources to help you when approaching contacts (under step 4) on the Victorian Government’s COVID contact checklist.
Cleaning of the area to the Department of Health requirements is coordinated by the Monash Contact Tracing Team and Buildings and Property Division.
Students:
If you are a Monash student and you test positive to COVID-19, or are identified as a household contact of a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you are advised to complete this form to notify your chief examiner.
You will then receive an automatic email containing 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 isolation period.
If you tested positive and were at a Monash location during your infectious period, you will be given a list and asked to indicate which classes you have attended in your infectious period. The particular classes will be listed in Moodle for the students allocated, allowing them to know of the positive case.
If you are a household contact, Monash strongly recommends you study from home if you can. You must only attend Monash’s Australian campuses or facilities in exceptional circumstances (i.e. to progress on-campus research or teaching activities to ensure academic advancement) provided you:
have no COVID-19 symptoms
wear a mask at all times
undertake daily Rapid Antigen Tests and only attend class following a negative result
Under the Victorian’s Government’s Pandemic Orders, if you test positive to COVID-19 you are required to notify your social contacts. You can find more information on determining your contacts and tips and resources to help you when approaching contacts (under step 4) on the Victorian Government’s COVID contact checklist.
Cleaning of the area to the Department of Health requirements is coordinated by the Monash Contact Tracing Team and Buildings and Property Division.
Note: it is the responsibility of students to notify any non-University-related social contacts, for example a friend you had lunch with.
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 household contact of a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you will receive notification via an automated email.
The Monash Contact Tracing Team will contact the staff member to determine the Monash locations they attended while infectious, if they tested positive. Students will be required to complete the form with relevant classes they attended while infectious.
Relevant exposure locations are then published on the University’s exposure locations webpage. Students who attended the relevant allocated classes will be notified via Moodle. Chief examiners and teaching staff are encouraged to also check the class exposure webpage regularly alongside the exposure location webpage.
Under the Victorian’s Government’s Pandemic Orders, staff who test positive to COVID-19 are required to notify their workplace contacts, in addition to their social contacts. Staff can find more information on determining their contacts and tips and resources to help you when approaching contacts (under step 4) on the Victorian Government’s COVID contact checklist.
Key messaging to staff and students continues to be for everyone to remain vigilant and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, no matter where we visit in the community. If any symptoms appear, get tested immediately.
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.
Study arrangements
Delivery mode, semester two, 2022
Our vibrant campuses are reactivated and we look forward to welcoming back our student community in semester two. We continue to follow government advice to ensure our campuses are safe study environments for all students as outlined in our COVID Safe Plan, including measures that exceed standards through regular cleaning and building ventilation. We understand the value of experiencing Monash in-person and continue to work towards the full return of face-to-face learning in the future.
In semester two (and associated teaching periods), international students located outside of Australia also have the option to:
Remain online, if there are no face-to-face requirements for their course, for example practical assessments or placements – see the list of units that aren’t available online
Study at Monash Suzhou (available for Master of Business or Master of Banking and Finance only)
For students located in the Shanghai region and subject to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, remain online and utilise the Monash Shanghai Learning Centre, studying alongside other Monash students with access to a range of learning facilities.
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.
The Department of Health will no longer publish exposure sites. Visit the University’s COVID-19 confirmed cases and exposure locations webpage regularly and follow the relevant health advice.
Last updated 05 Oct 2022 5:06pm
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.
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.
All students, staff and those visiting the University must follow the health advice of the Department of Health and that of the Monash Chief Medical Officer. Before you come to campus, please be aware of the arrangements below.
Come to campus well
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. Find out more on campus safety measures here.
Vaccination requirements
Effective from Monday 18 July, staff, contractors and other workers do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations.
Noting existing vaccination requirements remain in place for certain categories of workers including healthcare, residential aged care, emergency services and disability workers under the Pandemic Orders, and may be asked to provide their vaccination information to the University to support these activities.
Students and visitors do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations:
Students who have placements in healthcare and education facilities may be asked to provide their vaccination information to the University to support these activities
Though not a requirement, the University will continue to encourage our community to be vaccinated to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community, and provide access to vaccinations through the University Health Service
Those requiring to have their vaccination status verified by the University can do so by completing Monash’s vaccination status form.
Face masks are required to be worn in certain settings (unless an exemption applies), including while on public transport and in taxis and rideshare vehicles, in healthcare settings, and for workers in hospitality, healthcare, retail and early childhood centres.
Face masks are strongly recommended indoors and outdoors if you can’t physically distance. In particular, staff are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask if they’re in a public-facing role (for example, in an office reception).
Due to possible impacts to staffing availability caused by COVID-19, Monash Sport operating hours may change. Should scenarios arise where facilities cannot be adequately and safely resourced, operating hours and services may be altered, temporarily unavailable or closed until it is safe to recommence operating. Monash Sport apologises for any disruption this may cause.
Due to escalating COVID-19 cases throughout the community, and isolation requirements having a significant impact on our staffing availability, there may be disruptions to the library's programs and services. We encourage you to check the Library service updates webpage prior to visiting.
The library apologises in advance for the inconvenience any closures or reduced operating hours may cause and thank you for your ongoing support and patience during this difficult time.
Our vibrant campuses are reactivated and we look forward to welcoming back our student community in semester two. We continue to follow government advice to ensure our campuses are safe study environments for all students as outlined in our COVID Safe Plan, including measures that exceed standards through regular cleaning and building ventilation. We understand the value of experiencing Monash in-person and continue to work towards the full return of face-to-face learning in the future.
In semester two (and associated teaching periods), international students located outside of Australia also have the option to:
Remain online, if there are no face-to-face requirements for their course, for example practical assessments or placements – see the list of units that aren’t available online
For students located in the Shanghai region and subject to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, remain online and utilise the Monash Shanghai Learning Centre, studying alongside other Monash students with access to a range of learning facilities.
International students are asked to complete the semester two My Plan form, so the University can prepare for seamless learning delivery whether you’re studying in-person or online.
Students currently in Australia
In semester two:
If you’re in Australia, you're expected to attend class activities on-campus unless an activity is held only online.
If you're currently based in Australia and you require fully online options for the entire teaching period (due to exceptional circumstances beyond your control), please apply for special consideration. If your application is approved, you‘ll remain online for the duration of the teaching period.
Effective Saturday 25 June 2022, students do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations:
Though not a requirement, the University will continue to encourage students to be vaccinated to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community, and provide access to vaccinations through the University Health Service
Students who have placements in healthcare and education facilities may be asked to provide their vaccination information to the University to support these activities.
Monash COVID Marshals will be present outside of buildings and events where members of the public have access, such as the Campus Centre. Visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination to a COVID Marshall to gain entry.
Please refer to the University's COVIDSafe Catering Guidelines for recommended controls and measures to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus through workplace catering.
On campus events guidance
Please follow the new COVID Safe event guidelines to make sure your event meets the required health and safety standards to protect the Monash community from COVID-19.
On-campus social events can now occur indoors, following the conclusion of the Monash Health South East Public Health Unit’s (SEPHU) suggestion to hold all social events outdoors until Sunday 13 March. Bookings for indoor and outdoor spaces are available by contacting Monash Venue Services at venueservices@monash.edu.
If an educator is absent, due to isolation requirements, they will be required to fill out an online form which will inform Access HR and the educator's supervisor.
If an educator is unable to attend campus (due to isolation requirements), the unit’s Chief Examiner (CE) will initially try to identify an alternate educator who will continue the activity on-campus at the scheduled time and location.
If an alternate educator isn’t available, the learning activity may proceed with one of the following options with the approval of the Associate/Deputy Dean (Education):
take place online at the same time as scheduled
take place online at a later date
take place in person at a later date.
Fixed-term/ongoing staff who are required to isolate but are fit to work from home can continue to do so.
Sessional staff who are required to isolate and cannot work on-campus can claim payment for the delivery of the activity through the COVID-19 staff guidelines.
Students will be notified via Moodle of a change in teaching delivery from the intended and scheduled activity. Consistent messaging is to be used to create a banner in Moodle, and provided to the relevant areas. This text is also to be added by the CE within the Moodle forum, which will automatically trigger an email to students.
Decision-making should take into account any learning outcome dependencies of having a delay in the delivery of the activity.
COVID-induced absence – students
Reporting your isolation
If you are required to be absent due to isolation requirements, you are required to complete this form to notify the University.
Access to online learning activities
If you’re required to test and isolate, or have tested positive and are unwell, you’re not expected to attend online learning activities or study during the specified seven day isolation period. The Chief Examiner will make the necessary learning arrangements for you including access to class resources that you may miss through Moodle (including, where possible, access to Zoom links for online classes).
Accessing short extensions or special consideration
If you’re isolating you’re eligible for a short extension of up to five calendar days for eligible assessments. If you require a longer extension you can apply for special consideration.
Once you submit your COVID-19 contact reporting form, forward the confirmation email to your Chief Examiner to apply for a short extension and discuss with your Chief Examiner how you can catch up on any missed activity.
Your Faculty Placement Office will be in contact if your placement is affected.
Individual organisations have vaccination requirements and 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.
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 Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences:
Information about clinical placements can be found here.
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.
Currently enrolled students seeking to make changes to their scholarship or enrolment, such as converting to part-time enrolment or taking a period or leave of absence or undertaking an internship, should refer to information on the graduate research Support and Resources page. Key COVID-specific measures are outlined below.
Supporting our students
If you are a current Monash Australia doctoral student and you commenced prior to 30 November 2021, 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. You can view your adjusted thesis submission date via the Research Enrolment Summary.
If you need to apply for a further extension to your submission date you can apply for a formal thesis extension.
Graduate Research Completion Award (GRCA)
We’ve introduced a supplementary Graduate Research Completion Award 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.
Monash Australia doctoral and masters by research students who are close to submitting, may be eligible to apply for this award which 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). If you would like further information on this award, including eligibility, selection criteria and the application process, we encourage you to visit our page dedicated to this scheme.
If you have any question relating to the administration of your enrolment, you can contact the Monash Graduate Research Office or your Faculty Graduate Research Office. See our website for details.
All students and staff must follow the health advice of the Department of Health and that of the Monash Chief Medical Officer.
A reminder that if you do attend campus displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 you may be asked to leave and get tested for COVID-19, and not return to campus until you have your test results, and are no longer feeling unwell/displaying symptoms.
The Department of Health will no longer publish exposure sites. Visit the University’s COVID-19 confirmed cases and exposure locations webpage regularly and follow the relevant health advice.
Students, staff, visitors and contractors do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations.
Though not a requirement, the University will continue to encourage students to be vaccinated to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community, and provide access to vaccinations through the University Health Service
In line with the University's Immunisation Procedure, several vaccination exemptions to attend campus are now in place.
Effective Monday 18 July 2022, staff (except certain categories of workers under the Pandemic Orders), students and visitors do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations. In line with the University's Immunisation Procedure, several vaccination exemptions to attend campus are now in place.
Specified workers
The Victorian Government’s updated Pandemic Orders came into effect on Saturday 25 June. Under the Orders, vaccination requirements remain in place for certain categories of workers including healthcare, residential aged care, emergency services and disability workers. For Monash, this includes:
University Health Services staff
Staff and students working, or placed, in healthcare facilities
Monash Sport lifeguards
Staff and students in the above groups who are over 18 and yet to upload proof of your booster dose (or approved medical exemption) to Monash’s vaccination status form are asked to do so.
In addition to the Monash requirements, please also ensure you comply with the proof of vaccination requirements of your local healthcare workplace (if applicable).
Please note that your COVID-19 vaccination must be undertaken on the advice of a health practitioner.
Any Monash specified worker who is medically exempt from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine due to a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness will need to submit proof via Monash’s vaccination status form. In line with the Chief Health Officer’s Directions, a current COVID-19 digital certificate (or printed version) issued by Services Australia is now the only evidence accepted for medical exemptions. Your doctor will need to update your record on the Australian Immunisation Register to show that you have a medical exemption, then once your exemption has been processed, you can download your COVID-19 digital certificate. For more information on how to show proof of your vaccination exemption, see here.
Specified workers should keep the confirmation email following verification for their records, as they may be asked to show this to security staff as proof that they are allowed onsite. If they do not produce these documents, they will be provided with information on what they need to do in order to get permission to attend our campuses and locations.
Specified workers are advised not to share their vaccination documentation via any other channel (for example, emailing their COVID-19 digital certificate to their lecturer or supervisor) than those specified in official University communications.
Recognised vaccines
Monash will accept any of the following TGA-approved COVID-19 vaccines, when staff or students provide their proof of COVID-19 vaccination:
AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
Moderna Spikevax
Pfizer Comirnaty
Coronavac (Sinovac)
Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines
COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen
Covaxin (manufactured by Bharat Biotech, India)
BBIBP-CorV (manufactured by Sinopharm, China)
Sputnik V (Gamaleya Research Institute)
Nuvaxovid (Biocelect on behalf of Novavax)
If you have received a vaccine that is not currently TGA-approved, you are advised to make an appointment with your GP to discuss the options available to you to be able to meet vaccination requirements.
COVID-19 vaccination appointments
International students currently in Australia have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, and can attend a state government-run vaccination clinic, GP Respiratory Clinic or community pharmacies that are administering COVID-19 vaccines by contacting the National COVID Booking Line (1800 675 398). More information can be found here.
Fixed-term and ongoing staff can apply for sick leave, in accordance with existing entitlements, to attend a vaccination centre or GP off-campus for COVID-19 vaccination appointments.
Students who make a COVID-19 appointment at a vaccination centre are permitted to be absent from a specific learning activity (without penalty), provided the appointment does not clash with a compulsory assessment. Students are not required to show proof of booking, however can do so if they wish.
University Health Service
If you have recently returned from overseas and you have any questions regarding your vaccination status, please email nurse.help@monash.edu.
If you have any enquiries, please contact UHS Clayton on 9905 3175.
Monash staff, students and community members don’t need to have visited UHS previously, you can visit the UHS COVID-19 vaccinations page to make your booking.
Information for staff and students without a Medicare card
COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone, including staff and students who don’t have a Medicare card (such as international students).
If you don’t have a Medicare card, you can apply for an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI).
An IHI will enable you to book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.
Applying for an IHI and being vaccinated for COVID-19 will not impact your visa status or your eligibility for government payments.
How to get an IHI:
The quickest way to get an IHI is online through your myGov account. If you don’t have an account, it’s easy to create one. You’ll need one of the following identification documents:
your passport, with a valid Australian Visa
your Australian driver licence.
These documents will be used to verify your identity and give you an IHI. Follow these steps to get an IHI online:
1. Sign in to myGov. 2. Select services or link your first service. 3. Select IHI service from the list.
Where can I get vaccinated?
Non-Medicare card holders can receive free vaccination appointments at Victorian Government-run GP Respiratory Clinics or vaccination centres, and community pharmacies that are administering COVID-19 vaccines. Non-Medicare card holders cannot make an appointment to be vaccinated at General Practitioners without incurring a fee.
To book an appointment online, follow the below steps. Alternatively, you can call the National COVID Booking Line on 1800 675 398.
1. Visit the online booking system 2. Create an account 3. Complete your ‘Personal details’ – if you don’t have a Medicare card, leave this field blank 4. Complete your ‘Contact details’ 5. Complete the ‘Other details’ 6. Complete all other steps to finalise your booking
What to bring to your appointment
a face mask
any emails about your vaccination appointment (on your phone or printed)
photo identification, if you have one, such as a passport or driver’s licence
If you don’t have a car or access to appropriate public transport, there are alternative options you can explore such as 13cabs, Uber or DiDi.
DiDi are offering discounted rides to COVID-19 vaccination appointments. Visit the website for more information.
Getting proof of your COVID-19 vaccination appointment
If you don’t have a Medicare card, or are not eligible for Medicare, you can get proof that you have had your COVID-19 vaccination by:
Asking your vaccination provider to print a copy of your Immunisation History Statement (IHS) for you.
Calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809. For interpreting services call 13 14 50 to have an IHS sent in the mail. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the mail.
Medical centres who can upload proof of vaccination to AIR
The following medical centres are available to assist international students in uploading their vaccination status to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR):
Victoria Crescent Medical Centre: 533 Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley Ph: 9005 6001. Open Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm, Weekends and public holidays 9am-3pm. You will need to book an appointment with a GP to arrange uploading your vaccination status to AIR.
Waverley Family Healthcare: 58 Pinewood Drive, Mount Waverley Ph: 9802 8000. Open 7 days a week 7am-midnight, including public holidays. You will need to book an appointment with a GP to arrange uploading your vaccination status to AIR.
Medi7 Clayton: 255 Clayton Rd, Clayton Ph: 9013 9795. Open 7 days a week including public holidays. You will need an appointment with a GP to arrange uploading your vaccination status to AIR.
Local vaccination clinics
In addition to the above medical centres, the Federal government’s Vaccine Clinic Finder can help you find a clinic delivering COVID-19 vaccinations.
Face masks are required to be worn in certain settings (unless an exemption applies), including in healthcare settings
Face masks are strongly recommended indoors and outdoors if you can’t physically distance. In particular, staff are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask if they’re in a public-facing role (for example, in an office reception). Wearing of masks on the University’s intercampus buses is also strongly recommended.
A face mask is not required to be worn by a person while they are broadcasting, lecturing or teaching, nor while eating or drinking or completing strenuous exercise. Teachers and education support staff are not required to wear face masks while teaching, but can if they wish to do so.
Staff are able to access surgical masks (or N95 masks for use in particular applications) through their Faculty/Department.
Students are able to access surgical masks at University libraries, key teaching buildings or from Monash Connect.
See this video for instructions on how to properly wear a face mask.
In line with the Department of Health’s requirements, if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 you must get a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), or Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test if a RAT is not available, and self-isolate until a negative test result is received.
Symptoms include fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste, however mild. To get further advice, call the 24-hour coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398, or your general practitioner. In certain circumstances, headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be considered.
It’s important that we continue to keep our University community safe, and we all play a role in ensuring we can continue to deliver excellence in education and research. It’s important that any staff or students who are presenting with any potential symptoms of COVID-19 – including mild symptoms like a scratchy throat or runny nose – get tested and refrain from coming to the University until their test results are known.
For general information on COVID-19, you can also contact the Department of Health national hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
On campus, the University Health Service, Clayton is open for PCR testing each day by appointment only. Call 9905 3175 to either book a time, or speak to the triage nurse for more information.. If you need advice on COVID-19, please call the Triage nurse using the number above. For after-hours advice, call the coronavirus hotline 24/7 on 1800 675 398.
Depending on whether you are considered a household (or household like) contact or have had other contact with a positive case (including at the workplace or in a social settings), the actions you need to take will differ. Visit this website to determine what type of COVID contact you are, and what you are required to do.
If you are a household contact, you can only attend Monash’s Australian campuses or facilities in exceptional circumstances (i.e. staff shortages in a specialised work area or to progress on-campus research or teaching activities to ensure academic advancement) provided you:
have no COVID-19 symptoms
wear a mask at all times
undertake daily Rapid Antigen Tests and only attend work or class following a negative result
If you are a Monash staff member or HDR student and you test positive to COVID-19, or are identified as a household contact to a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you are advised to complete this form to notify the Monash University Contact Tracing Team and your supervisor.
If you are a Monash student, you are advised to complete this form to notify Monash University.
If you test positive on a RAT, you must report the result to the Department of Health through an online form or by phone – to make sure you can access the care and information needed, including monitoring for worsening symptoms and financial support for isolation.
If you have taken a PCR test, your doctor or the clinic where you were tested will contact you by phone or SMS to advise you of your results, regardless if it is positive or negative.
If you test positive, whether or not you have symptoms, you will need to immediately self-isolate – you may already be isolating at home after a PCR test. You may be contacted by a public health worker from the Department of Health for advice on next steps.
If you have tested positive to COVID-19, you must follow the recommendations of your medical professional and the Department of Health, including the required self-isolation period and to notify your workplace and social contacts. For more information, see What to do if you test positive to COVID-19 on the Victorian government website.
If the test is negative:
If you test negative using a rapid antigen test (RAT), there is no need to isolate, unless you are a household or household-like contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Please note that if the result is inconclusive or results in an error, you must complete a second RAT. If this is still inconclusive, seek a PCR test.
If you have undertaken a PCR test for COVID-19, it may take a couple of days for the test results to be returned to you. During this time, you must isolate yourself in your home until your test results are received. If your test result is negative, you will no longer need to remain in isolation and can return to your normal activities once you are well again. For more advice on getting tested, visit the Victorian Government’s Coronavirus website.
For more information on self-isolating, see here. Other members of your household are not required to isolate while you are waiting for a test result as long as they are well.
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.
The following nine strategies in the University’s COVID Safe Plan all work in conjunction with each other to manage COVID-19. Monash constantly monitors the latest Government requirements, including Pandemic Orders and information from the Department of Health and Department of Education to keep these requirements up to date.
1. Come to campus well
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.
2. Physical distancing
Where possible, 1.5 metres physical distancing is implemented. Staff workstations are designed to achieve 1.5 metres separation where possible. Floor markings have been installed in areas where staff and students may congregate including queues for service desks, retail outlets, lifts and kitchens.
3. Face masks
Monash monitors the latest Government requirements for face masks, including the Pandemic Orders and Department of Health requirements. The current requirements are communicated to staff and students. You can find more information about face masks here.
4. Practise good personal hygiene
Health alert posters have been installed across our campuses and on digital screens in all central teaching facilities to reinforce basic hygiene measures (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 as 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.
5. Increased cleaning
Increased cleaning in all of our buildings by staff wearing Hi-Vis pink jackets, following Monash's COVID-19 Cleaning Specifications Plan which meets the DH guidelines. This includes:
Wiping down high-touch surfacesin all areas across campus at the start of each day, such as faculty/division and common areas.
Continued cleaning of high-touch surfaces in the common areas throughout the day, which includes wiping down of light switches, doors handles, lift buttons, stair balustrades, flat table surfaces in the retail and public spaces.
Additional cleaning of restroom facilities, including wiping down of the doors, sinks and hand dryers.
To support the University’s increased cleaning regime:
All facilities and divisions are asked to provide alcohol wipes in their offices and areas to allow staff and students to regularly wipe down their work station and equipment - particularly shared-use equipment and spaces.
Laboratory areas are asked to provide appropriate cleaning materials to allow staff and students to clean their work areas and shared equipment and infrastructure.
BPD provides all central teaching spaces with cleaning materials for the academics to clean the lectern, computer and audio-visual equipment. The cleaning materials are also provided to allow students to clean down the desks/tables, chairs and any shared equipment.
All faculties are to provide cleaning materials in their teaching and collaboration spaces for academics and students to use.
All staff, students and visitors must carry a face mask at all times. Face masks are only mandatory indoors in some high-risk settings.
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.
6. Ensuring our buildings and spaces are well ventilated
The University has undertaken a comprehensive assessment of all of its buildings to ensure the ventilation systems are effectively providing sufficient outside air and do not represent an increased COVID transmission risk. We are ensuring our ventilation systems are meeting or exceeding the Australian standard and we are monitoring and maintaining the systems.
We have highly effective ventilation in the majority of our teaching, research, event and office buildings.
All our central teaching, administrative, technical and laboratory buildings are supported by central air-conditioning systems that supply outside air and therefore represent a very low risk for COVID transmission.
For those spaces with only local or no ventilation systems (less than 20 per cent of total spaces), we have assessed each one, and additional COVID safe measures are being applied to these buildings and spaces. This includes measures such as controlling room occupancy and opening windows and doors to provide outside air into the room. Activities involving large groups in small spaces with no or local ventilations systems are being scheduled to other well ventilated spaces.
Working or studying outside is encouraged, where possible. Meetings, discussion groups etc. which do not require technology should ideally be undertaken outside if the weather permits.
See this short video about the ventilation systems at Monash and their role in controlling the risk of COVID-19 transmission here.
If you would like further information about the ventilation system in your building, see the COVID ventilation summary.
7. Positive case management
Where a person who is positive to COVID-19 has attended a Monash location during their infectious period, this information is reported to the Monash University Contact Tracing Team.
Exposure locations are noted on the Monash University Exposure Location webpage.
Cleaning is arranged in accordance with the Department of Health requirements.
The University records who has been present at Monash locations by using the security swipe system.
8. Work arrangements
Monash has implemented a “hybrid” work strategy.
Where events are planned, they are undertaken in accordance with Government requirements and the COVID Safe Plan.
9. Vaccination
Effective from Monday 18 July, staff, contractors and other workers do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations.
Noting existing vaccination requirements remain in place for certain categories of workers including healthcare, residential aged care, emergency services and disability workers under the Pandemic Orders, and may be asked to provide their vaccination information to the University to support these activities.
Students and visitors do not have to register their vaccination status or show proof of vaccination in order to attend Australian Monash campuses and other locations
Students who have placements in healthcare and education facilities may be asked to provide their vaccination information to the University to support these activities
Though not a requirement, the University will continue to encourage our community to be vaccinated to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community, and provide access to vaccinations through the University Health Services.
Monash is progressively reinstating University-related business travel for staff and students, following a period of suspended travel throughout 2020 and 2021.
We must ensure that the safety of our people is at the forefront of this activity, and comply with the latest travel advice from the federal government and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The University has implemented a new travel approval system for staff who need to undertake business-related travel. More information is available on the Monash Travel Page.
All travel is subject to the following conditions:
All travellers must ensure they have access to and are covered under the University’s travel insurance policy.
Only travel that is formally approved (through the University’s travel approval system) will be covered by the University’s travel insurance policy.
To understand what is and isn’t covered, please refer to Insurance Services.
Insurance coverage for COVID events
Circumstance
Covered by insurance?
Notes
Traveller becomes sick with COVID-19 during journey (vaccinated or unvaccinated)
Yes
Covered for medical, isolation costs and cancellations.
Travellers should note that access to medical care in some locations may be difficult where health systems are under pressure.
Traveller becomes sick with COVID-19 prior to travel (vaccinated or unvaccinated)
Yes
Covered for cancellation costs
Traveller must quarantine due to close contact with COVID-19 during travel
Depends
Will be based on any known ‘hot spot’ or risk of area
Accomodation is closed due to COVID-19 outbreak causing disruption
No
Government restrictions impacting travel plans including bans (Australia or other)
No
Any other related outbreak disruption to travel plans
No
As most COVID outbreaks or ‘fear’ of outbreaks will not enable reimbursement of travel related expenses (flights and accommodation) it is recommended that travel bookings (flights / accommodation) are made no more than threemonths in advance, and flexible fares are recommended.
Quarantine
Travel that requires a period of hotel quarantine should not be considered except in exceptional circumstances. In these limited circumstances, Monash will cover the costs for staff and HDR students if quarantine immediately precedes or follows University-related travel (not applicable or covered following personal travel).
The University will support working remotely during quarantine periods.
Criteria for approved travel
Staff must obtain approval to travel on University-related business before booking any of the associated flights or accommodation.
Faculties and portfolios must only support travel requests that meet all three of the following criteria:
Essential to the business of the University – aligning to the advancement of strategic and operational goals (including essential research as part of HDR undertakings and fellowships that have relocation conditional to funding outcomes)
Have no alternative means to engage other than to travel, which will achieve the required outcomes
The travel destination(s) is safe, including any associated event settings and travelling staff member(s) (for example, taking into account COVID-19 risks, individual health, and the current DFAT risk advice, etc.)
Additionally, Deans and Portfolio Heads must ensure that the proposed travel is within revised travel budgets.
The system will workflow a staff member’s request to their Travel Approver in the first instance. If the travel is deemed high-risk (DFAT level 3 or 4) it will automatically workflow to the Director, Global Security and Crisis Response, for review and consideration. All international travel will continue to require approval by the Dean or Portfolio Head.
Once staff receive approval to undertake travel they may proceed to book associated travel. Further information is available on the Monash Travel Page
Coursework students travelling overseas on a Monash activity must obtain travel approval and register their travel with Monash Abroad. Travel to high risk destinations (according to the Travel Policy) is subject to enhanced approvals.
If you have an active application with Monash Abroad for a planned program, your coordinator will liaise with you about what is required before you travel. You are recommended not to make non-refundable travel bookings before you have received approval to travel from Monash Abroad.
Conditions for travel
Quarantine and isolation: All travellers must comply with any quarantine and isolation requirements of the travel destination.
Travel disruption and changes: Students should be prepared to pay for travel disruptions and changes resulting from COVID-19. The travel insurer will assess claims individually.
Domestic
Domestic travel for students can resume in line with current state border restrictions.
For curricular programs, students should liaise with their faculty about options to undertake domestic travel as part of their studies.
For extra-curricular activities, students should liaise with the relevant student association and/or TeamMonash PREP.
Monash Residential Services (MRS) continues to operate for students wishing to live on-campus.
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.
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.
The Department of Health (DH) has directed that Monash Residential Services (MRS) halls are considered communal living environments, rather than households.
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.
When using the shared kitchens within halls please ensure that you clean all surfaces you come into contact with and remember to practise good hygiene. Avoid sharing personal household items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils or tea towels with other people. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water
Residents are reminded to notify a member of their Residential Support Team if they are not well, to enable MRS to provide appropriate support.
Residents must advise a member of their Residential Support Team or an MRS staff member should they return a positive COVID-19 result.
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.
The Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) has confirmed 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.
We continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure the safe return of our overseas students who require hands-on, practical skills learning or placements to complete their studies.
We are also exploring opportunities at our campuses in Sunway, Malaysia, and Suzhou, China, subject to any border restrictions of those countries, that will allow students to complete their degree in these locations, should they wish to do so.
In addition to support from Monash, there are a range of government and community-funded packages and programs open to eligible international students studying in Victoria. Visit Study Melbourne’s COVID-19 support hub and community support and food relief page for the latest information.
$2,000 Monash International Travel Assistance Grant
To support your arrival to Australia, if you commence face-to-face learning and register your arrival on campus by the semester one census date, you’ll receive a one-off $2,000 Monash Travel Assistance Grant. Conditions for this grant are:
You must be an international student enrolled in an Australia-based course
You must have arrived in Australia from overseas and be on campus for face-to-face learning by the semester one census date
If you’re a continuing Monash student who studied in Australia last year, then departed Australia on or after the start of semester two 2021, you’re not eligible
The grant can only be paid into an Australian bank account
Payment will be made after the semester one census date.
Once you have registered your arrival, the University will assess your eligibility and be in touch with further information if you are eligible.
A number of students completing their Monash studies may need to rely on evidence of course completion prior to starting their employment.
Please call Monash Connect and we will issue a letter of special circumstance for you to provide to your employer, explaining the delay in course completion.
The flexible work arrangements launched in 2021 (three days in the office, up to two days working at home) will continue in 2022 for professional staff, where their supervisor determines this can be accommodated within the requirements of their role in accordance with the Working from Home procedure.
Academic staff flexibility continues unchanged.
See the Flex at Monash website to find out more about the 3:2 hybrid model and how to apply.
We have a range of leave options available to staff in response to the potential impacts of COVID-19. Please refer to the COVID-19 Staff Guidelines for further information.
If you are a manager/supervisor and have been advised by a staff member or contractor that they have tested positive to COVID-19, you are advised to request the staff member completes this form to notify the Monash University Contact Tracing Team to allow for appropriate support to be provided.
Under the Victorian’s Government’s Pandemic Orders, staff who test positive to COVID-19 are required to notify their workplace contacts, in addition to their social contacts. Staff can find more information on determining their contacts and tips and resources to help you when approaching contacts (under step 4) on the Victorian Government’s COVID contact checklist.
Our fact sheet provides information for staff about work arrangements, leave provisions, changes to campus operations, health advice and more. Please discuss your personal circumstances with your supervisor or contact Access HR on (03) 9902 0400. The Employee Assistance Program is available 24/7 to all Monash staff on 1300 360 364.
Campus operations under COVIDSafe settings
View fact sheet
Changes to semester
View fact sheet
Graduate Research Students
View fact sheet
Health advice and safety measures
View fact sheet
Travel advice
View fact sheet
Support for students
View fact sheet
Support for staff
View fact sheet
