If you are a contact of someone with COVID-19

You are a close contact if you have spent more than 4 hours with someone who has COVID-19 indoors in a residential setting, such as a house, accommodation or care facility.

You are a social contact if you have spent more than 15 minutes face-to-face with someone who has COVID-19, or more than 2 hours in the same indoor space, in non-residential settings (such as a workplace, school, childcare, event or social gathering).

  • If you are a close contact

    If you are a close contact you are encouraged to notify your supervisor or subject coordinator to explore studying or working from home, if you can, for 7 days.

    If you need to access campus during that time the following is strongly recommended:

    1. Monitor for symptoms and only attend campus if you are symptom-free
    2. Test regularly
    3. Wear a mask indoors on campus and whenever you cannot physically distance
    4. Avoid sensitive settings specified by the Victorian Government or the University
    5. Follow any other advice from the Public Health Network.

    You can access RATs and P2 masks on campus if you are symptom-free.

    Please follow any additional requirements that may apply in the following settings due to their sensitive nature:

    • Student accommodation
    • Healthcare settings
    • Other areas identified by local risk assessment
  • If you are a social contact
    • Please do not attend campus if you have any symptoms
    • Monitor for symptoms and test if symptoms develop

    If you receive a positive test result, follow advice for COVID-positive people.

    If you test negative for COVID-19 but your symptoms continue, please do not attend campus until symptoms disappear or you have been diagnosed with something non-infectious.

  • If you've been in the same class as someone with COVID-19

    When someone with COVID-19 reports that they attended classes during their infectious period, the University's Public Health Network will list the affected classes on our cases on campus page.

    Please regularly check this list and follow all Univerity and government advice if you believe you have been in contact with a COVID-positive person.

    Students and staff will also be reminded to notify their classmates and workmates, and supported with message templates, when they report their positive COVID-19 test result to the Public Health Network.

  • If you are re-exposed to COVID-19 after recovering

    If you have recovered from COVID-19, you are not required to test or isolate if you are re-exposed to a case, or participate in an asymptomatic screening program, within 5 weeks of your initial positive test result. However, if you know you were exposed to a COVID-positive person, you should monitor for symptoms.

    If you have any new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within this 5-week period, please:

    • stay away from campus until you are symptom-free
    • if you are at higher risk of severe disease – seek advice from a medical practitioner and get tested for COVID-19, and potentially other respiratory viruses, so you can access treatment if eligible.

    After 5 weeks, if you are exposed to someone who has COVID-19 you must follow the relevant advice depending on the type of 'contact' you are (close contact, social contact, etc).

    More information is available in the Victorian Government checklist for COVID cases.

  • Get support

    The University's Public Health Network has a team rostered to monitor reports of COVID-19 cases and contacts from Monday to Friday.

    Notifying the Public Health Network means the University can support individuals who contract COVID‑19 by providing practical advice, links to University services and answering COVID‑19 related questions.

    The Public Health Network also provides relevant local and organisational level communication, and liaises with the Department of Health and local Public Health Units as needed.

    When collecting or sharing details of positive COVID‑19 test, remember that personal information should only be used or disclosed as required, and that only the minimum amount of personal information necessary to prevent or manage COVID‑19 should be collected, used or disclosed. A privacy collection notice is available.

  • Students – classes, extensions and special consideration

    Please notify your Subject Coordinator/s or Supervisor by email as soon as possible if you are unable to attend class so they can provide advice about any impacts on your study, and the availability of alternatives, such as online materials or lecture recordings while you are away, extensions or special consideration for any upcoming assessments and any other related matters. If you are currently undertaking a placement, please also notify your placement coordinator. We have created some message guides to help you.

    If you or your studies have been affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible to apply for special consideration – find out more. Please get in touch with your course coordinator if you have any concerns around your studies.

    Further information and FAQs are available to guide you if you miss classes or assessments due to COVID-19.

  • Staff support

    Staff who are unwell should immediately alert their supervisor and avoid working in contact with others, and follow the current testing and notification guidance.

    Teaching staff should discuss with their supervisor whether others could cover their classes or whether classes could be scheduled at another period.

    Staff are encouraged to use personal leave if they are sick or need to care for a member of their family.

    If staff members are able to work from home, they should discuss this with their supervisor and agree on an ad-hoc arrangement for a short period.

    Find out more – staff login required.

  • Can I get a rapid antigen test on campus?

    Yes. The University is providing access to discounted rapid antigen tests (RATs) on campus for students and staff, and in limited circumstances will provide free RATs.

    There are vending machines or distribution points on every campus.

    Please do not come to campus to collect a test if you are unwell. Please ask someone to collect a test from campus on your behalf or get one away from campus.

    Find out how to get RATs on campus

  • Can I get a face mask on campus?

    Face masks are welcome in all settings for personal and community safety. They continue to be required or recommended in some settings. Follow this advice on how to use a mask effectively.

    The University continues to provide access to face masks on campus:

    • surgical masks are available in key locations, like libraries, for staff, students and visitors  who have forgotten or don’t have access to a mask and want to wear one
    • P2 or equivalent masks:
      • students and staff can purchase discounted masks via vending machines on Parkville, Southbank and Werribee campuses, and can access them in person at these locations on our other campuses
      • limited access to free P2 masks for students meeting criteria for additional support – more information
      • staff and students attending an area of campus or undertaking an activity where it is required by local risk assessment or Standard Operating Procedure will be provided with an appropriate mask