Support for students
Services available for students affected by COVID-19 pandemic
Mental wellbeing
- University counselling services offer telehealth (video and phone) consultations and 24-hour services are available. In a mental health emergency, please contact: +61 2 8295 2917.
Support with fee payments
- Payment plans to support students in paying fees can be applied for through the Web Enrolment System. If you are experiencing extreme financial difficulty and require a further extension on a fee payment plan, speak to Monash Connect for assistance.
Special consideration
- If your circumstances are impacting your ability to complete an assessment, you can apply for special consideration.
Financial support
- Student grants, including a $500 Emergency Grant for students in financial hardship, are available for those who need immediate support. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply. Student loans, either $750 short-term or $3,000 long-term, are available for study-related expenses.
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, 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 19 March 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 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
- Face masks are highly recommended across the University’s campuses and locations.
- Face masks are required in special circumstances, such as if you have COVID-19 and are leaving home to access health care (e.g. at the University Health Service) or are a household or household-like contact.
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 either swipe your ID card to gain entry to the MRS Administration Office or provide evidence of your vaccination status.
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.
MRS Halls Cafe
- 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.
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.
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- 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.
Will online study be recognised by the Chinese Government?
- The Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) released a statement on 3 April, 2020 confirming that online study undertaken due to the impacts of COVID-19 will be recognised. Please see below translation of the statement released by the CSCSE:
- Our Centre understands and supports measures some overseas universities have implemented to help Chinese students finish their studies, such as the extension for enrolment, offering online courses, flexible final assessments and thesis' in response to COVID-19.
- If Chinese students undertake online study for part of their course due to difficulty in returning to campus, or the resultant time remaining offshore not meeting normal course requirements, these won't be factors affecting their degree certification.
- Students are advised to practise proper self-protection, follow the special measures implemented by your university at this particular time, and keep records of relevant university notices and communications.
- In response to concerns from students, our Centre will publish up-to-date information in a timely manner during COVID-19. We have set up a consultation hotline for enquiries regarding overseas qualification certification. Students can call 010-62677800 or email renzheng@cscse.edu.cn.
Support for international students
- 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.
- See here for more information on Monash’s International Student Arrivals Plan.
- 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.
- 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.
$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:
Once you have registered your arrival, the University will assess your eligibility and be in touch with further information if you are eligible.
See more information on coming to Australia.
Evidence of course completion for employment
- 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.
Travel exemptions
- The current individual exemptions for travel restrictions, as enforced by the Australian Government, apply to the following students:
- Students in their final three years of study of a medical university degree, who have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice.
- Students in their final two years of study of a dental, nursing or allied health profession university degree, who have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice beginning within the next two months.
- As a result, letters to support this exemption are only available to Monash University undergraduate and coursework students who meet this eligibility criteria.
- The reopening of Australia’s borders to international visitors, including international students, is the responsibility of the Federal Government. Please be aware if you are provided with a letter of support, this does not guarantee your application for travel exemption as this decision is made by the Department of Home Affairs. For further information on applying for a travel exemption please see the Department of Home Affairs website.
- Please be assured that we'll be in touch if there are any further updates to travel restrictions. We look forward to welcoming international students back to our campuses.
- During this challenging time, if you feel you need additional support we encourage you to use the support services available to you.