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Health advice and safety measures

- All students and staff are encouraged to follow the health advice of the Department of Health and that of the Monash Chief Medical Officer.
- It is the University’s expectation that only those who are well and not presenting with any symptoms attend a Monash campus or location. If you test positive to COVID-19 (even if you are asymptomatic) or you have COVID-19 symptoms, it is recommended that you do not return to onsite work until you are no longer symptomatic.
- Follow basic hygiene rules to prevent further spread:
  - Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze (with a flexed elbow or tissue, not your hand).
  - Wash your hands often.
  - Avoid touching your face and mouth after touching surfaces.
  - Don't spend time with people who are sick.
  - Don't go to work or attend campus if you feel sick.
- All staff and students are encouraged to stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination according to their age and risks.
  - Find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on the Healthdirect website.
  - COVID-19 boosters are available on campus at the University Health Services for eligible groups.
- International students currently in Australia have access to the COVID-19 vaccine for free
  - Non-Medicare card holders can receive free vaccinations at selected pharmacies or GPs that administer COVID-19 vaccines. See: Pharmacies and GPs offering vaccinations can be located using the Vaccine Clinic Finder
- Staff and students working or on placement in healthcare settings or other sensitive settings must comply with the infectious diseases testing, vaccination and immunisation and isolation direction of their Faculty and the host organisation. They may be asked to provide their COVID-19 and other vaccination information to the University to support these activities.
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, or are not eligible for Medicare, you can get proof of your COVID-19 vaccination uploaded to your immunisation statement on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). Do this by following the guidelines on the Services Australia website. However, you will first need an Individual Health Identifier (IHI).
How to get an IHI:
- Apply here for an IHI or 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.
- Face coverings may continue to be required in specific settings including health and aged care and environments where people may be more vulnerable to COVID-19. Staff and students engaged in these environments should follow the direction of the host organisation.
- Face coverings are not compulsory on campus. Face coverings may be worn if an individual chooses to do so.
- Face coverings are recommended to be worn by persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 for at least seven days after a positive test, or if they feel unwell, when they attend a Monash work location. (Noting it is the University's expectation that only those who are well and not presenting with COVID-19 symptoms attend a Monash campus or location.)
- As an infection control measure outlined in a local risk assessment, face masks may be required to be worn for specific University activities.
- Monash University may require the use of face masks in certain settings where this is endorsed by the Monash University Chief Medical Officer or their Deputy.
- It is the University’s expectation that only those who are well and not presenting with any symptoms attend a Monash campus or location. View the campus safety measures tab below for more information.
- If you are at a Monash site and have any symptoms of COVID-19 it is recommended you put on a mask, go home and take a RAT test.
- Monash University does not routinely provide face-masks. However, if a staff or student becomes unwell with respiratory symptoms and requires a face-mask, masks should be available in local areas.
- Testing positive to COVID-19 or unwell with a Respiratory illness
COVID-19 can take time to develop, so you should monitor for symptoms for at least 7 days after your last contact with the person who has COVID-19.
A close contact should regularly test for at least 7 days following their last contact with the person who has COVID-19 or if any symptoms develop.
You may attend a Monash location, but it is the University’s expectation that you do not attend if unwell, including having any respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms.
Even if you test negative, follow these recommended steps to protect those around you:
- avoid visiting sensitive settings such as hospitals and aged care facilities for at least 7 days:
- consider wearing particularly when you are not able to physically distance for 7 days
- let fresh air into your home or other indoor spaces by opening windows, where possible
- monitor for symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, cough, or fever/chills, and stay home and test if they present
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 strategies in the University’s Respiratory Infections (including COVID) Safe Plan all work in conjunction with each other to manage COVID-19. Monash follows advice and information from the Victorian Government and the Department of Health, periodically reviewing the COVID Safe Plan and updating operations where deemed relevant.
The key strategies within the University's COVID Safe Plan include:
- Come to campus well
- Face coverings
- Practise good personal hygiene
- Cleaning
- Ensuring our buildings are well-ventilated
- Vaccination