FAQs for students attending campus

If you test positive or need to isolate

COVID-19 vaccination pop-up: Southbank Campus
A pop-up vaccination centre on our Southbank campus during September will be providing the Pfizer (Comirnaty) vaccine, and can provide initial doses and all booster doses for eligible individuals. The program is open to all University of Melbourne students and staff, along with residents at University of Melbourne accommodation and affiliated colleges.
Whether you are ready to have your first dose of COVID-19 vaccine or eligible for your next dose, please book your vaccination appointment here. Please note, you must wear a face mask to your appointment, as the vaccination site is a healthcare facility.

The University's Public Health Network is dedicated to supporting students and staff who test positive or know someone how has tested positive for COVID-19. Find out what to do if you have symptoms, or if you or someone you know tests positive for COVID-19.

What happens if I miss classes or assessments on campus because I am isolating due to COVID-19 (including as a close contact or because I have symptoms)?
Please follow the health guidance on our testing and notification page in the first instance, then:
If you feel well
Attend class online, if possible. Contact your Subject Coordinator/s for advice. Your Subject Coordinators’ details are published on the subject’s Handbook page under Dates and times.
- If classes are not available online, you may ask your Subject Coordinator/s if attendance/participation requirements can be waived or whether other arrangements can be made.
- If your absence due to isolation impacts assessment, you mayrequest an extension to assessment and/or apply for special consideration if required. Please note, under current policy, students can request an extension for up to ten days via the Subject Coordinator/s. If you need an extension beyond ten days, or when end of Semester exams are impacted, please apply for Special Consideration submitting substantiating evidence as required.
If you feel unwell
- Request an extension to assessment and/or apply for special consideration as required. Please note, under current policy, students can request an extension for up to ten days via Subject Coordinator/s. If you need an extension beyond ten days, or when end of Semester exams are impacted, please apply for Special Consideration submitting substantiating evidence as required.
Do I need to apply for special consideration if I test positive for COVID-19 or have to isolate as I have COVID-19 symptoms?

It depends the extent to which your illness and/or isolation impacts your studies and your ability to complete your assessment tasks on time.
If having COVID-19 or the impacts of isolation have a minor detrimental effect on your studies and ability to complete your assessment tasks on time, existing policy allows you to apply for extensions of up to ten days directly via your faculty. You should request an extension via your Subject Coordinator/s as per the standard process. Your Subject Coordinators’ details are published on the subject’s Handbook page under Dates and times.
If the impacts of illness and/or isolation are more substantial and/or affect end-of-semester examinations, you should apply for Special consideration.
What documentation will be required for COVID-related special consideration requests?

There are no changes to the documentation required by current policy for Special consideration applications, except where a student is isolating but not ill themselves (eg to care for someone with COVID-19). Where students are isolating but not ill, students may use a statutory declaration (which can be made online) as part of their documentation.
In all Special consideration applications, students need to explain the effect of the illness/isolation on their ability to complete, attend or prepare for the assessment task by the designated deadline.
For more details on supporting documents and how to apply, please visit Special consideration.

Attending classes on campus

Can I change my classes from on campus to online, or switch to on campus classes from online?

If you are enrolled in Dual-Delivery subjects, it may be possible to change your class allocations between the on campus and online delivery modes for individual activities in that subject (eg seminars, tutorials, studios etc) in limited circumstances and up until the end of the second week of semester.
You can either swap classes in My Timetable, or submit a Timetable Assistance Form. For more information, visit Review and adjust your timetable.
Once you have finalised your timetable, you are expected to remain in your timetabled classes for the rest of semester .
If you are unable to attend on-campus classes temporarily during semester because you are isolating for COVID-19 purposes, please follow the advice: If you test positive or need to isolate.
What if I arrive in Melbourne after classes start – will I still be able to attend classes on campus?

If you are enrolled in Dual Delivery subjects, it may be possible to change your class allocations from online to on campus for individual activities in that subject (eg seminars, workshops, tutorials, studios etc) when you arrive in Melbourne. Discuss your options further with your Subject Coordinator.
If it is possible to attend on campus classes when you arrive in Melbourne, you can either swap classes in My Timetable, or submit a Timetable Assistance Form. For more information, visit Review and adjust your timetable.

Support if you are concerned about attending campus

How is the University supporting students who are concerned about attending campus for health reasons?

If you are concerned about attending campus (eg you are immunocompromised), please contact Student Equity and Disability Services for advice and to register for ongoing support if required.
If you are anxious to attend campus, you can book an appointment with Counselling and Psychological Services or the Health Service to talk through your concerns and develop strategies to manage your return to campus life.
You can also contact the Health Service’s Hotline – 03 8344 6905 – for advice and support.
Will the University ensure that there are adequate online learning options for students who are anxious about attending campus due to health concerns?

Dual-Delivery and Online delivery are available in 2022 for most subjects. If you have concerns about attending campus, you can take online options in these subjects.
If you are enrolled in a campus-based subject with mandatory on-campus classes that cannot be delivered remotely, please seek advice from your Course Coordinator or book a course advice appointment .
Students who are required to enrol in subjects with mandatory on-campus components, may need to take a period of Leave of Absence until they are able to attend campus.
Students with health concerns should contact Student Equity and Disability Services for advice as they may be able to register for ongoing support.
Students who are anxious to attend campus can make an appointment with a counsellor from Counselling and Psychological Services or the Health Service to talk through their concerns and develop strategies to manage the return to campus life. The Health Service is also offering a Hotline – 03 8344 6905 – which students can contact for advice and support .
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only, with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects. Provision will be made for those students outside Australia who only have a small number of subjects to go (less than 50 points) to complete their degrees.
Will students concerned about attending campus be able to access online classes/class recordings?

Students who are concerned about attending campus (eg if they are immunocompromised or have caring responsibilities for others who are) and need to access online classes and class recordings where these exist, should contact Student Equity and Disability Services for advice and to register for ongoing support.
Students who are anxious to attend campus can make an appointment with a counsellor from Counselling and Psychological Services or the Health Service to talk through their concerns and develop strategies to manage the return to campus life. The Health Service is also offering a Hotline – 03 8344 6905 – which students can contact for advice and support.

Vaccination requirements

You no longer need to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination to access campus, however there are some circumstances under Public Health Orders and in some host workplaces for student placements where vaccination may still be required.

We continue to encourage you to stay up to date with your vaccinations, as this is still the best way to reduce your risk of severe illness.

Head to the Vaccination at the University of Melbourne webpage for more information.