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
Checklist for COVID-19 cases
Study arrangements

Last updated 20 Apr 2023 11:30am

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

Australia’s pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements for passengers arriving from the People’s Republic of China, including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, will cease applying to flights that land in Australia at 12.01am on 11 March 2023.
Read the Department of Health and Aged Care media release for more information.

Before you come to campus

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

View our COVID Safe Plan

Your health, safety and wellbeing

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.
Monash’s 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 ohshelpline@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. For information about testing, visit the Department of Health's website.

Last updated 20 Apr 2023 11:30am

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.

If you test positive to COVID-19 (even if you are asymptomatic) or you have COVID-19 symptoms, it is strongly recommended that you do not return to onsite work or study for five days, and until you are no longer symptomatic. It is the University’s expectation that only those who are well and not presenting with any symptoms attend a Monash campus or location.

Staff and HDR students

If you are a Monash staff member or HDR student and you test positive to COVID-19 you are requested to complete this form to notify the Monash University Contact Tracing Team and your supervisor.
You will then receive an automatic email containing further information on the support available to you.
Your supervisor will also receive an automatic email to notify them you have completed the form.
Fixed-term and ongoing staff who have tested positive to COVID-19 who are not well enough to work can apply for various leave provisions including sick leave, special paid leave and isolation leave in accordance with the criteria detailed in the COVID-19 Staff Guidelines and Enterprise Agreement.
Casual and sessional staff who have tested positive to COVID-19 and are unable to work as a result of isolating are encouraged to check the relevant COVID-19 Staff Guidelines.

Students

If you are a Monash student and you test positive to COVID-19 you are requested to complete this form to receive further information on the support available to you. You’re also encouraged to notify your chief examiner if you are well enough to study during your recommended isolation period, or to confirm if you are able to access an extension for eligible assessments.

Testing positive to COVID-19

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

COVID-19 contacts

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

Information for supervisors and chief examiners

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

Further information

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

The Monash Chief Medical Officer is in constant communication with Australian medical authorities for the latest health and travel advice.
We continue to monitor the situation, including the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO), US Center for Disease Control and the Australian government’s Health Department, including states and territories.
Monash provides free confidential counselling support for any Monash student. If you need support at any time, please call 1300 788 336.
For updates on Monash College's response to COVID-19, please visit the Monash College website.

Last updated 20 Apr 2023 11:30am

Study arrangements

2023 delivery mode

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

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Fact sheet

Campus operations under COVIDSafe settings View fact sheet

Before you come to campus

Campus facilities, retailers and study spaces

Teaching and learning arrangements

Delivery mode, semester one, 2023

We look forward to welcoming all students to attend face-to-face learning in 2023, so they can experience everything our vibrant campuses have to offer, from major campus events to groundbreaking programs in innovation, discovery and research.

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.

If you’re in Australia, you're expected to attend class activities on campus unless an activity is held only online.

Offshore international students

The Australian Government’s regulator for higher education, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), has announced that all international students who hold an Australian student visa will be required to attend face-to-face learning by 30 June 2023 to ensure compliance with the National Code.

We’re committed to the ongoing support of our international students, and understand there may be students who continue to experience barriers to travel to Australia for face-to-face study (for example travel restrictions in their home country).

If you’re unable to travel to Australia and are enrolled in an eligible course available online, you can study online until 30 June 2023. After 1 July 2023, there will be no online course options available, however you can apply for intermission (under compassionate or compelling circumstances) to allow more time to organise your travel to Australia. See more information about applying for intermission.

If you’re due to complete your eligible online course by 31 December 2023, you can remain studying online until the end of the year.

Of Monash’s large unit offering, there is a group of units that aren’t available to study online because they have face-to-face learning requirements or are part of a course not offered online. Students will need to check this list prior to enrolling in any units (including electives) for 2023.

Events, activities and venues

COVID-induced absences

COVID-induced absence – educators

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.
Find out more about short extensions and special consideration.
If you're isolating and feel well enough, you can continue to study at home.
In addition to extensions and special consideration, a variety of support services are available for students including childcare, counselling and disability services.

Changes to semester View fact sheet

International campuses

Placements/WIL, internships and secondary schools outreach programs

Graduate Research Students View fact sheet

Current students

Contacting the Monash Graduate Research Office and your faculty

Health advice and safety measures View fact sheet

General health information

COVID-19 vaccination

The University encourages students, staff and visitors to be vaccinated to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community, and will continue to provide access to vaccinations through the University Health Service.
For staff or students working in health care or other sensitive settings, COVID-19 vaccination is required in prescribed settings under Secretary Directions. Other health requirements will remain in place, such as isolation requirements.
Secretary Directions are already used each year to require healthcare staff to be vaccinated against the flu and allow for vaccination requirements in public, denominational and private hospitals, as well as public sector aged care facilities, day procedure centres and throughout ambulance service.

Further information for specified workers

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.
Please note that your COVID-19 vaccination must be undertaken on the advice of a health practitioner.
Please refer to the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination website for more information about approved vaccines, vaccination eligibility and timeframes.

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 via community pharmacies and GPs 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.

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 pharmacies or GPs that are administering COVID-19 vaccines. Non-Medicare card holders cannot make an appointment to be vaccinated at General Practitioners without incurring a fee. Pharmacies and GPs offering vaccinations can be located using the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

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.

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 contact with a confirmed case

What to do if you are tested for COVID-19

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.

The following 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 advice and information from the Department of Health, reviewing the COVID Safe Plan and updating operations where deemed relevant.

1. Come to campus well

It is the University’s expectation that only those who are well and not presenting with any symptoms attend a Monash campus or location.

2. Face masks

You can find more information about face masks under health and safety measures.

3. 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.

4. Cleaning

Frequent cleaning of our buildings in accordance with the Department of Health guidelines.
Provision of cleaning materials 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.

5. Ensuring our buildings and spaces are well ventilated

In 2022 the University’s ventilation controls strategy was reviewed by an external expert consulting company who confirmed that our strategies are consistent with Australian and international best practice for the control of COVID-19 transmission. This included our strategies for independent air flow and CO2 monitoring.
We regularly assess our buildings to ensure the ventilation systems are effectively providing sufficient outside air and do not represent an increased COVID-19 transmission risk.
We are monitoring and maintaining the systems to ensure they continue to meet or exceed the Australian standards.
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 may include measures such as controlling room occupancy, installing portable air filters and opening windows and doors to provide outside air into the room. Activities involving large groups in small spaces with no or local ventilation systems are being scheduled in other well ventilated spaces.
Working or studying outside is encouraged, where possible. Meetings, discussion groups etc. which do not require technology may 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.

6. Vaccination

The University encourages students, staff and visitors to be vaccinated to protect their health and the health of the broader Monash community, and will continue to provide access to vaccinations through the University Health Service.
For staff or students working in health care or other sensitive settings, COVID-19 vaccination is required in prescribed settings under Secretary Directions. Other health requirements will remain in place, such as isolation requirements.
Secretary Directions – which are already used each year to require healthcare staff to be vaccinated against the flu and– will allow for vaccination requirements in public, denominational and private hospitals, as well as public sector aged care facilities, day procedure centres and throughout ambulance service.

Travel advice View fact sheet

All Monash travellers

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.

From the Sunday 1 January 2023 all travel must be in accordance with the following:

All travel is subject to the following conditions:

COVID-19 vaccination
Travel insurance
Quarantine requirements

COVID-19 vaccination

Travellers are responsible for ensuring they have obtained all required and recommended vaccinations at least four weeks prior to travel (including your return to the Monash campus location). Travellers should refer to the Immunisation Procedure for further information.

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 (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 three months 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.

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.

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.
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.

International student visa arrangements:

Due to high demand, some locations' visa processing times have been affected in recent times. Applications may take longer to finalise and students are advised to submit their completed visa applications with supporting documents as early as possible. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information on international student visas arrangements.