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

Last updated 10 Jan 2022 2:48pm

The Victorian government has announced new pandemic orders, effective from 11.59pm Thursday, 6 January 2022.

Work arrangements

The health and safety of the Monash community remains our top priority. The Victorian government has strongly recommended people work and study from home if they are able to do so. Therefore, Monash will introduce online study and work from home arrangements where possible until Australia Day on 26 January 2022, with a return to campus from Thursday, 27 January 2022.

Staff and HDR students should work from home unless required onsite to deliver and support online education, critical research, and operations. For more information, see here.

Research involving external facing community engagement should be postponed if possible during this time. Should a pause of this nature not be possible, staff will be asked to contact their supervisor in the first instance.

You must be fully vaccinated to attend campus (unless you have an authorised medical exemption), wear a face mask indoors and follow social distancing rules (stay at least 1.5m away from other people where possible) and density limits of one person for every two square metres will apply to indoors retail and hospitality spaces on our campuses. We will continue to update staff and students should government advice change.

Study arrangements for January

Until Wednesday, 26 January 2022 all face to face scheduled classes will move to online unless an exception is requested and agreed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Senior Vice-President. For agreed exceptions, only fully vaccinated students or those with an authorised medical exemption can continue to attend the University's campuses and locations for onsite study in line with class timetables.

Unit Chief Examiners will provide details specific to your unit announcements via Moodle or via email for specific unit advice. You will be required to follow the Victorian government’s isolation and testing requirements before returning to class should you have contracted COVID19 within the past seven days.

Testing for COVID-19

Under the new orders, people who test positive on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) will be considered ‘probable cases’, subject to the same requirements as confirmed cases from a PCR test.

If you test positive to COVID-19 you need to:

isolate immediately for seven days
notify your household and household-like contacts
notify the Department of Health of your positive RAT result - either through their online form or by phone by calling 1800 675 398.
Notify Monash - for more information, see here.

There are resources available for anyone who has tested positive to help manage COVID-19 at home. 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.

Campus operations

A density quotient of one person per two square metres is also being introduced indoors at hospitality venues, which will apply to food retailers on campus.
Monash Sport and Library will operate on reduced hours - please visit their website for the latest opening hours.

Face masks on campus

From 11.59pm on Thursday 23 December 2021, the Victorian government reintroduced the requirement for face masks to be worn in indoor settings. This applies to all indoor settings on campus (unless in a single occupant office alone with the door closed).

Teaching and learning, semester one, 2022

Based on the latest Victorian government advice, we have moved all scheduled on-campus classes to an online delivery, until Wednesday, 26 January. It is still our intention to resume face-to-face learning from 27 January - the day after the Australia Day public holiday.

So we can plan for the return to face-to-face learning and support a smooth transition for you, let us know if you plan to arrive in Australia for semester one here.

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 may be eligible for a one-off $2,000 Monash Travel Assistance Grant.

Your health, safety and wellbeing

Monash’s nine-pillar COVID Safe Plan details the strategies in place to protect our staff, students and visitors as we return to campus.
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’.
You must not come to campus if you're unwell or if you are a household contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
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 and are no longer feeling unwell. 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 10 Jan 2022 2:48pm

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.
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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COVID-19 confirmed cases and exposure locations

These Monash University locations have either had confirmed cases visit during their infectious period or are locations where a confirmed case may have acquired their infection.

Fact sheet

Campus operations under COVIDSafe settings View fact sheet

Campus facilities, retailers and study spaces

Libraries

Travel

Teaching and learning arrangements

Delivery mode, semester one, 2022

With Australia’s borders reopened our offshore students now have the opportunity to attend on-campus activities from the start of semester one, however online options will also be available to those who can’t attend campus.

So we can plan for the return to face-to-face learning and support a smooth transition for you, let us know if you plan to arrive in Australia for semester one here.

Returning to onsite study - students currently in Australia

Fully vaccinated students and those with an authorised medical exemption can attend the University's campuses and locations for onsite study in line with class timetables (once face-to-face learning resumes).
Prior to first visit to the University’s campuses and locations, all students who are fully vaccinated must have their vaccination status verified by the University through Monash’s vaccination status form, as well as those with an authorised medical exemption. For more information on vaccination requirements see ‘COVID-19 vaccination’.
Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated students in Australia will have an opportunity to continue to study online until 31 January 2022, where online study options are available. This measure will remain in place until 31 January 2022, or until further information is made available from the government about COVID controls for the unvaccinated members of our community.
Exams are taking place online, with the exception of assessments and exams that require in-person attendance and approved students (e.g. DSS students) who cannot complete their exams from home.
Assessments that require in-person attendance have been reinstated (students advised via Moodle).
Density limits do not apply in teaching and learning spaces.
Access to the University Health Services continues to be available, regardless of vaccination status.

Building access on campus

Once your vaccination status is verified, your previous building access will be reinstated within 24 hours.
You must bring your Monash ID card (M-Pass) if you’re coming to a Monash campus or location, to ensure you have access to Monash buildings that you use. Swipe your Monash ID card (M-Pass) on the door reader to enter a building. Don’t follow another person without swiping in, or let others enter when you swipe in.

Events, activities and venues

Roadmap to Reactivation

Off campus research activities

Staff and HDR students required onsite for essential operations

Changes to semester View fact sheet

Academic progress processes

Graduations

Fees

International campuses

Placements/WIL, internships and secondary schools outreach programs

Exams and assessments

Graduate Research Students View fact sheet

New applicants

Commencing students

Current students

Many students have had difficulties in progressing their research while juggling other responsibilities and commitments including families, schooling and caregiving. 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.

Milestones

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

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

If you need to apply for an extension to your thesis submission date due to COVID-19, it’s important that you provide details about how COVID-19 has impacted your research as part of your application. That way, we can process your application more quickly. COVID-19 also meets our definition of compassionate and compelling circumstances for international students on Australian student visas.

Specific details on how we are supporting you are outlined below, and you can also visit our new understanding your candidature and scholarships website to learn more about your thesis extension options.

If you’re an international student on an Australian student visa, and you’re not sure how an extension may impact on your student visa, please visit Monash’s student visa page for information. Please note that if you apply for an extension of enrolment and do not hold a tuition fee paying scholarship you will be charged tuition fees.

Supporting our doctoral students

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

Supporting our research master’s students

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

Graduate Research Completion Award (GRCA)

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.

Joint PhD Research Degree

If you are currently enrolled in a Joint Award, it’s important that you follow the advice and/or direction of Monash and the partner university at this time, and remain informed of any restrictions that apply at the partner.
Make sure you also maintain contact with your Monash main supervisor and seek their guidance if you have any questions.
Where your mandatory residency requirement is impacted by current travel bans, it’s important that you discuss your research project requirements and timelines with your supervisors to accommodate potentially delayed or shortened residency at the partner.
If you need advice specific to your situation, the Monash Graduate Research Office team can provide you with assistance.

Study Away/ Travel Grants

See 'Travel advice' for information.

Contacting the Monash Graduate Research Office and your faculty

Health advice and safety measures View fact sheet

General health information

COVID-19 vaccination

Registering your vaccination status

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)
If you have received a vaccine that is not currently TGA-approved, you are advised to make an appointment with your GP or University Health Services to discuss the options available to you to be able to meet vaccination requirements.

Visitor vaccination requirements

If you are hosting a visitor on campus, you need to inform them of the University’s vaccination requirements, and check their vaccination status when they attend your building. This can be done by sighting their Service Victoria check in app, a copy of their COVID-19 digital certificate from Medicare, or their AIR immunisation medical exemption form.
For tradespeople or other stakeholders managed by the Buildings and Property Division (BPD), the validation of vaccination information will be conducted by BPD. If your division is bringing in contractors independently of BPD, you must ensure all contractors are vaccinated.
If your visitor does not show their vaccination status or are medically exempt, Monash University reserves the right to refuse them entry.
In line with University’s Roadmap to Reactivation, adults and children over the age of 12 years and 2 months must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or have an approved medical exemption) in order to attend Monash campuses and locations. This applies to the use of all facilities including Monash Sport (for school groups, community sporting groups and swimming lessons), Monash University Performing Arts Centres, and individuals attending public or University events on Monash campuses and locations.
There are currently no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for children under the age of 12 years and 2 months to be able to attend Monash campuses and locations.

COVID-19 vaccination appointments at UHS

Monash University Health Services (UHS) is providing free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations to all eligible staff, students and community members, including non-Medicare card holders.
The vaccination clinics will recommence on 1 February 2022. Appointments are available to book now.
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.
International students currently in Australia have access to the COVID-19 vaccine, and can make a free appointment at the UHS, state government-run vaccination clinics, GP Respiratory Clinics, 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.
It is most important that you attend your pre-booked COVID-19 vaccination appointment. Supplies remain limited and we don’t want UHS to have to waste vaccines that are not required as a result of cancellations, or staff and students not attending appointments.
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. Staff attending UHS on campus can do so without applying for leave, subject to first obtaining approval for their absence from their supervisor(s).
Students who make a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at UHS or 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.
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.

COVID Queue

Looking for a Pfizer vaccination appointment in Victoria? COVID Queue presents available Pfizer vaccine bookings across Melbourne and regional areas in real-time. A bell will 'ding' when a new booking becomes available in your selected clinics. You should log into the Victorian Government's online portal ahead of time, so you are ready to book when an appointment becomes available.

COVID-19 vaccine booster dose

To provide even greater protection against COVID-19, every adult (over the age of 18) in Australia will be eligible for their booster vaccination from six months after they completed their primary two-dose course.
The Pfizer vaccine is recommended for the booster dose, irrespective of the primary COVID-19 vaccine used.
The decision to provide the booster vaccination has been based on the latest advice received from the vaccine experts on the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, has approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine for booster vaccinations for people aged 18 and over.
From 8 November, staff and students aged 18 years and over can receive the Pfizer booster vaccination at the University Vaccination Clinic adjacent to the University Health Services, Clayton, if they have had the second dose of their primary course six months or more ago. Bookings are essential and can be made via Hot Doc.
Individuals remain fully vaccinated with the primary two-dose vaccination course, which provides a high level of protection against the worst effects of COVID-19. The booster will provide additional protection and is not mandatory.
Healthcare workers are on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and therefore at higher risk of infection. We encourage students and staff working in healthcare settings to consider receiving a booster. As you were prioritised early in the vaccination rollout, many of you will be eligible right now.
The Australian Government’s Department of Health website is a valuable source of trusted information about the vaccination rollout, and will be regularly updated to provide the most current information about the booster program.

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 the Monash University Health Service (UHS), 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.
There are a number of Victorian Government-run vaccination locations within the South East Public Health Unit (of which Monash Clayton and Caulfield are within), including Sandown Racecourse. For a full list, click here.
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
a Medicare card or IHI number

Getting to your COVID-19 vaccination appointment

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.

COVID-19 testing and vaccination options

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

What to do if you are tested for COVID-19

If the test is negative:

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 information on self-isolating, see here. There is no need for others in the house to quarantine unless you are confirmed to have coronavirus.
If you test negative, your doctor or the clinic you were tested at will advise you of your result.
Refer to the Department of Health information for people with a suspected case fact sheet for more information.

If the test is positive:

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 should have already been isolating at home while waiting for these results. You will 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 Australian Health Department, including the required self-isolation period. For more information, see What to do if you test positive to COVID-19 on the Victorian government website.
If you are a Monash staff member and you test positive to COVID-19, or are identified as workplace or household contacts to a person who has tested positive to COVID-19, you are advised to report this to hr@monash.edu including the below list of details, and a member of the Contact Tracing team will contact you to assist.
- Your name
- Staff ID
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Dates of anticipated isolation period and/or commencement date
- Work area
- Supervisor (name and contact details)
- When you were last on campus
If you are a Monash student, we ask that you notify Monash Connect on 9902 6011 for further support and follow-up.

Campus safety measures

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

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

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

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

To protect the Monash community’s health and safety, all staff, students and visitors must:
- Scan the Services Victoria QR code every time they enter a building. Swiping of Monash IDs on door-readers will still be required by staff and students to enter buildings with restricted access.
  - If you don’t have a smartphone, please check in via one of the kiosks below.
    Caulfield: Caulfield Library, Monash Connect, Monash Sport, Building C, Building D.
    Clayton: Monash Sport, Doug Ellis Swimming Pool, The Menzies Building, Monash Connect (Campus Centre), Matheson Library, Hargraves Library, Law Library, The Chancellery, The Woodside Building, Learning and Teaching Building, and Biomedical Learning and Teaching Building, Robert Blackwood Hall, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts.
    Parkville: Parkville Library, Scott Security Office G30.
    Peninsula: Peninsula Library, Monash Sport, Monash Connect, George Jenkins Theatre.
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 surfaces in 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 be 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.
  Ventilation of our buildings and spaces
  - Ensuring our buildings and spaces are well ventilated is one of our nine COVID safe strategies. All these strategies work together to reduce the risk of COVID 19 transmission.
  - 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 large 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.
  - Particular controls will be provided for each building by BPD prior to return on 5th November.
  - 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.

Travel advice View fact sheet

All Monash travellers

Monash will progressively reinstate University-related business travel for staff and students, following a period of suspended travel.

The gradual return of University-related travel for staff and HDR students is outlined in this infographic, which includes the approvals required when seeking to travel. The information is subject to state and federal borders reopening, and the reopening of borders with host states and/or countries.

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).

Currently, international travel without an exemption from the Australian Government is only possible for Australian citizens or permanent residents. Staff and HDR students on temporary visas will need to ensure they have obtained an exemption (to return) prior to leaving Australia.

While the University makes necessary improvements to our online travel approval system and related travel policy (anticipated from February 2022), an interim process is in place to manage staff business travel requests.

All travel is subject to the following conditions:

COVID-19 vaccination
Travel insurance
Quarantine requirements

COVID-19 vaccination

All travellers must be fully vaccinated (inclusive of any government booster doses required for domestic or international destinations).
Staff and students should verify their vaccination status online, in line with government and University requirements.
Staff and students that cannot be vaccinated due to a medical exemption will require an additional endorsement from the University’s Chief Medical Officer to travel.

Travel insurance

All travellers must ensure they have access to and are covered under the University’s travel insurance policy.
Only travel that is formally approved by the relevant senior staff member prescribed in the University-related travel infographic 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 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 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 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 three months in advance, and flexible fares are recommended.

Quarantine

All travellers must comply with any quarantine requirements of the travel destination (see “Staff (including HDR)” and “Students” for further details)

Booking travel – Staff and HDR students

December 2021-February 2022

In the immediate term, staff that have an urgent need to travel must obtain approval to travel by submitting their request via an online form. Staff travelling between December 2021 and February 2022 will be prioritised.

This will seek endorsement from the area’s dean or portfolio head, and then the Director, Global Security, and be directed to the relevant approver. Once staff receive approval to undertake travel they may proceed to book associated travel.

HDR Students with an urgent need to travel during this period should first submit a Study Away Application. Monash Graduate Research Office will submit eligible applications meeting the criteria set out by Monash University for endorsement by the dean or portfolio head, the Director, Global Security, and the relevant approver. Monash Graduate Research Office will communicate the outcome directly to students.

March 2022 onwards

Staff with travel from March 2022 onwards are asked to defer seeking approval to travel until the launch of the new system and policy expected January 2022.

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.

Interim process to obtain travel approval

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.

Students (non-HDR)

Support for students View fact sheet

Services available for students affected by COVID-19 pandemic

Students living on campus

Monash Residential Services (MRS) continues to operate for students wishing to live on-campus.
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.
Residents are reminded to notify a member of their Residential Support Team if they are not well or have been tested, to enable MRS to provide appropriate support.
Residents must advise a member of their Residential Support Team or an MRS staff member should they return a positive COVID-19 result.

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS WITHIN MONASH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES ACCOMMODATION

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

The below Department of Health restrictions within MRS accommodation are effective as of 11:59pm 6 January 2022.

Communal spaces

Peninsula Residential Village residents are permitted to use the communal spaces on the ground floor of Gillies Hall and must register by swiping your Monash ID card and scanning the QR code displayed at the entrance to the each common space
When using the shared kitchens within halls please ensure that you clean all surfaces you come into contact with and remember to practice 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.

Face masks

Masks must be worn in all indoors communal spaces within MRS accommodation.
Masks are also recommended if you can't physically distance, if you have any symptoms or if you are with people who may be vulnerable to COVID-19.

Vaccinations

All residents must be fully vaccinated in order to enter a residency agreement with MRS, unless they have a recognised medical exemption.
As per the MRS Conditions of Residency, by entering into a Residency Agreement, residents agree that they must provide evidence acceptable to MRS that the Resident has an Approved COVID-19 vaccination status, as defined in the University’s Immunisation Procedure.
You will be required to both swipe your ID card and scan a QR code to gain entry to the MRS Administration Office.

Visitors/partners

All visitors MUST be fully vaccinated or have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness that precludes them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- MRS Services Personnel will check the vaccination status of visitors in MRS buildings. Visitors will be required to show their COVID-19 digital certificate.
- Residents are responsible for ensuring their visitors are fully vaccinated before allowing them entry into their hall.
- Visitors who are not fully vaccinated will be asked to leave the Hall immediately, unless they have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness and show documentation (e.g. medical certificate or letter) from an authorised medical practitioner.
- Residents who allow a visitor who is not fully vaccinated, or who doesn’t have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness that precludes them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, to enter their hall will be sanctioned in accordance with the MRS Conditions of Residency.
Upon entry into a hall/household, all visitors (including residents of other MRS residences) must register using the QR code posted at the entrance to the hall. Residents are responsible for ensuring their visitors register.

MRS Halls Cafe

The Halls Cafe is currently closed and will reopen for take-away only on 17 January 2022.
Residents/visitors to the MRS Halls Cafe must be fully vaccinated or have a recognised medical contraindication or acute medical illness that precludes them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Upon entry to the MRS Halls Cafe, all residents and visitors must register using the QR code posted at the entrance.

MONASH RESIDENTIAL SERVICES' RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cleaning

In response to COVID-19, Monash Residential Services (MRS) has adapted its operations to protect the health and wellbeing of residents. This includes implementing additional cleaning in all communal bathrooms, toilets and common areas within halls. Permanent sanitiser stations have also been installed in each hall.
For the shared ‘household’ accommodation style in the South East Flats and Peninsula, MRS has provided residents with cleaning supplies, instructions and cleaning equipment including: bucket, dust pan, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, cloths, anti-bacterial spray, floor cleaner and gloves.
You can also find out more about the University’s campus safety measures on the COVID-19 updates website.

Department of Health correspondence/policy

The Victorian Government mandates COVID-19 restrictions in the Pandemic Orders. The role of Monash Residential Services (MRS) is to ensure government directives are strictly adhered to.
MRS and the University have been working with the Department of Health (DH) throughout this year via the University’s Chief Medical Officer.
At all times, Monash has highlighted the circumstances in our residences and worked with the DH to find the best way possible to implement the numerous health requirements. The health and safety of all our residences is our top priority throughout this time and beyond.

Dining

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

'Household' classification

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

Mental health support

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

Outbreak

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

Rent

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

Reporting/enforcing

If you see a resident breaking any Victorian Government COVID-19 regulations, please report this to your RSTO. Restrictions will be enforced by members of the Residential Support Team and MRS Services Personnel.
Any breach of the restrictions will be managed under Section 13.2 of the MRS conditions of Residency for all MRS properties.

Studios

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

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

Student visas and confirmation of enrolment

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

Implications for your enrolment:

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

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

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

Monash will cancel your CoE if:

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

Visa application and date changes

If you’re waiting on a decision on a visa application and have a revised CoE from Monash, you should advise the Department of Home Affairs of the new CoE via their website.
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 2021:
- 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.