COVID-19 student updates
Please DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS IF YOU HAVE ANY COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, including a fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, or loss or change in sense of taste or smell – however mild, even if you have a negative rapid antigen test result.
Find out what to do if you have symptoms, or if you or someone you know tests positive for COVID-19.
Attending campus
The University continues to prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff through a comprehensive public health response, with a focus on making masks and rapid antigen tests (RATs) available to staff and students, enhanced infection control, and improved ventilation and cleaning measures across all facilities. Find out more about our COVIDSafe measures on campus.
We also offer a range of support services for students with concerns about attending campus.
For more information on what happens if you test positive or need to isolate, visit FAQs for students attending campus.
University vaccination guidance
The University strongly encourages individuals to remain up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations but does not require evidence of vaccination in order to access campus.
There are some circumstances under government legislation and in some host workplaces where vaccination is still required, further information is provided here.
We strongly encourage you to stay up to date with your vaccinations, including getting your additional booster doses when eligible, and we will continue to provide advice, information and resources to support our community to stay informed on this.
Advice for close contacts
If you are a close contact, you are encouraged to notify your supervisor or subject coordinator to explore studying from home, if you can, for seven days. Further guidance is available on our testing and notification page.
P2 masks and rapid antigen tests
While face masks are no longer required in most places, they are welcome anywhere on campus for personal and community safety. You are also encouraged to routinely test for COVID-19 even if you don’t have any symptoms, to detect COVID-19 early and help protect other campus users.
You can purchase discounted P2 masks and COVID-19 rapid antigen tests at vending machines on our Southbank and Parkville campuses, or collect them from these distribution points on other campus.
During Semester 1, 2023, limited access is also available to free RATs and P2 masks for students who meet certain support criteria.
Support services
We are here to support you, wherever you are. Many of our services are available on campus or online, including Counselling and Psychological Services, Student Equity and Disability Support, Academic Skills, Financial Aid, Libraries, Stop 1, and more. Make the most of the support available to you:
Visit the Student Services Directory
Health and wellbeing
There are a range of student support services available to help you stay well and thrive in your studies, including:
- University Health Service
- Counselling & Psychological Services
- After-hours mental health crisis support
- COVID-19 vaccinations
- Food relief, including meal packs, and fresh produce boxes.
International students outside Australia
You can travel to Australia without being required to declare your COVID-19 vaccination status. We are excited to welcome all students to our campuses and hope you will join us soon. For more information visit international student support.
Visit international student support
Teaching and learning
- In 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 in Semester 1, 2023 for international students outside Australia who only have a small number of subjects to go (less than 50 points) to complete their degrees.
Advice for specific cohorts
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International students
Information about student visas, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) and international student support services.
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Graduate researchers
Advice and FAQs about how COVID-19 may be affecting your research and candidature.
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Exchange and study abroad
Updates for students on, or planning to go on, exchange overseas.
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Prospective students
What you need to know if you've applied or have an offer to study with us.
Further support
The University has a range of support services available to you. If you require further assistance, you can also submit an enquiry to Stop 1 for advice, or get in touch with UMSU or the GSA.