Victoria University (VU) has developed detailed FAQs around the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on staff and students. We are taking decisive action to help keep the VU community safe, including following government recommendations, postponing events, and changing course delivery to enable remote learning.
VU's response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Victoria University (VU) has been taking decisive action to help keep the VU community safe since the escalation of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Our key focus is always the safety, health and wellbeing of our students, staff and families.
VU’s Incident Management Team, supported by a number of coordinated groups, continue to respond quickly as the situation evolves.
VU has formed a special taskforce which is overseeing our Transition to Campus Strategy and Framework. The taskforce has created the University's COVIDSafe Plan, which presents a process for the gradual and safe transition to campus of all members of the University community, in line with the Commonwealth government’s 3-step framework for a COVIDSafe Australia.
As with other tertiary providers, VU is adhering to directions and advice from Australian and State Governments. As Government directions change, VU will continue to provide students and staff with support to meet their individual circumstances.
What is VU doing about coronavirus (COVID-19)?
What we are doing:
- Responding quickly to Government advice and directions.
- Keeping the VU community informed of important developments through these FAQs and other forms of communication.
- Implementing measures to mitigate an outbreak, including measures around health, hygiene, and general wellbeing of the VU community.
- Continuing to plan for potential scenarios and impacts to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
- Providing support where possible to any students or staff that are impacted by coronavirus. To assist us, students and staff can voluntarily complete the coronavirus voluntary reporting webform if they have been tested for coronavirus or have had direct contact with someone who has a confirmed case of coronavirus.
What has VU done in response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What we have done:
- Moved to digitally supported remote course delivery where practical and possible.
- Launched the COVID-19 Student Support Fund to provide emergency financial assistance to students in need.
- Suspended or cancelled all on-campus events, gatherings and activities.
- Closed onsite library services and limited access to campus buildings.
- Ceased all international and domestic work-related travel until further notice.
- Increased onsite cleaning, hand sanitisers and promotion of good hygiene.
- Adhered to and promoted social distancing principles.
- Continued VU services and functions by supporting staff to work remotely, as well as other options that best suit individual staff circumstances.
Is there support available for staff & students experiencing stress or anxiety as a result of the coronavirus outbreak?
If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with COVID-19, please isolate immediately, get tested and remain in isolation until the results of that test are known. To report a confirmed positive COVID-19 case to VU, email [email protected] or call +61 3 9919 6398.
Students
You can access the student counselling services.
All of our regular channels of support remain open for students who need assistance:
Staff & immediate family members
You can access free confidential counselling support through VU’s Employee Assistance Program Provider Access EAP:
- Phone: 1800 818 728
- Visit their website: accesseap.com.au.
Safety on campus
Will I be safe using on campus study spaces?
Some areas of the University are open for essential and prioritised on-campus activities. These areas have been made COVIDSafe but also require the users to follow the Universities COVIDSafe principles and practices.
Students can access library seats at two campus libraries (Footscray Park and St Albans libraries) and you can book a library seat in advance. Students can still access the internet, PCs and printing facilities via student spaces.
Strict social distancing is expected in these areas and will be monitored by Security.
During this time, please respect the need for social distancing and the role of our Security team as they ensure the health and safety of you and others in VU community.
How do I know that the accommodation & facilities on campus are safe?
VU has implemented a number of COVID Safe measures to keep the University community safe, including:
- Increased cleaning in public spaces.
- Distribution of hand sanitiser.
- Displaying correct hand-hygiene posters throughout all campuses.
- Encouraging social distancing and working from home where possible.
- Promoting the guidelines announced by the Federal Government (where it is appropriate or practical to do so).
- Developed a COVID Safe Induction Module for staff and students.
- Developed a Daily COVID Screening tool on the VUSafe App, to support our Contact Tracing Protocols.
As currently required by the Victorian Government, all individuals permitted to attend campus must wear a face covering unless an exemption applies.
We have established a campus-wide response plan in the event that anyone presents with symptoms of the condition.
If anyone, student or staff, has concerns about the health status of another person at the University, they should contact Security at the number below, who will arrange first aid assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
To report concerns on campus, call +61 3 9919 6666.
For general enquiries relating to COVID-19, call +61 3 9919 6398.
What is happening with the sport facilities & programs at VU?
Sports programs are recommencing subject to the Victorian Government's restrictions for this industry.
Read more about opening details for sport facilities and programs at VU or contact [email protected].
Join an online class
VU Thrive has gone online, offering a range of remote sport and fitness programs for adults and kids.
Who do I contact if I have a concern about facilities or the health of a person on campus?
If anyone, student or staff, has concerns about the health status of another person at the University, they should contact Security at the number below. Security will arrange first aid assistance and follow appropriate protocols.
Security can also help with queries about unsafe facilities or on-campus environments.
To report concerns on campus, call +61 3 9919 6666.
For general enquiries relating to COVID-19, call +61 3 9919 6398.
Can I let the University know if I have been instructed to self-isolate or am being tested for coronavirus?
VU will provide support where possible to any students or staff that are impacted by coronavirus.
To assist us, students and staff are able to voluntarily provide details of situations where they have had:
- direct contact with a person who has a confirmed case of coronavirus; or
- have had a test for coronavirus (positive, negative or no result back yet).
Reporting is voluntary. There is no obligation for students or staff to notify VU. This information will be used to assist VU to provide support to students and staff and assist VU working with the Department of Health and Human Services, if contact tracing is required.
Assist VU by voluntarily reporting your situation to [email protected] or call 9919 6398, providing details of situations where you have had direct contact with a person who has a confirmed case of coronavirus, or have been tested for coronavirus (positive, negative or no result back yet).
Am I required to wear a face covering if I am on campus?
All Victoria University students, staff, contractors and visitors are expected to comply with the Victorian Government direction. These requirements will change over time.
Each person will be required to supply their own face covering unless a specific mask is required in a lab or other specific learning area/task. The University will provide any task/lab specific masks, including those for staff and students conducting off-campus approved activities, as required.
The face covering must cover the person’s mouth and nose. The recommendation from the Victorian Chief Health Officer is to use a cloth (reusable) facemask. The use of single use disposable masks is a second preference, with the use of a scarf or bandana not permitted. Face shields can be worn, but must be worn with a facemask, unless exemptions apply.
Facemasks do not need to be worn when outside. Whilst facemasks are not now mandated by the Victorian Government, the University requires staff and students to wear a facemask in situations where physical distancing of 1.5 metres is not possible (indoors and outdoors), unless an exemption applies.
How do I obtain a work or study permit for approved activities under Stage 4 restrictions?
Worker permits are no longer required.
How are decisions being made about who is permitted to return to campus?
The return to campus is overseen by the Transition to Campus Working Group. Returning to campus is being implemented in a safe and controlled manner. To ensure the safety of the VU community and the services we provide. This integrated approach will ensure that services such as IT services can support the return without delays being experienced due to increased service calls to set up equipment or work areas.
What do I do if I have concerns about returning to campus?
Victoria University understands that people will have different circumstances and as such students with concerns should speak firstly with their course coordinator or can also discuss their concerns with student services or student welfare. Staff should discuss their concerns with their manager.
What do I do if I want to return to campus?
Students: Details of how to return to campus can be accessed by contacting your course coordinator.
Staff: details of how to apply to return to campus can be accessed by contacting your manager.
Official government information & advice
Leading authorities have compiled a range of resources to keep us informed about coronavirus (COVID-19).
VU is continuing to closely follow advice from the Australian and State Governments in relation to coronavirus (COVID-19). We encourage you to view the following government sources for the latest and most up-to-date official information about coronavirus.
Health advice
- Australia: download the Coronavirus Australia Government app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
- Australia: join the Government's WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android
- Australia: Department of Health
- Victoria: Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) (see the DHHS translated resources or Ethnolink for this information in languages other than English)
- Victoria: coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline 1800 675 398
- New South Wales: Department of Health
- Coronavirus information in languages other than English: 131 450
- International: World Health Organization.
Education advice
- Australia: Department of Education, Skills and Employment
- Victoria: Department of Education and Training
- New South Wales: Department of Education.
International student advice
A dedicated Victorian Government email and hotline has been set up for international students:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (8am to 8pm AEDST, Monday to Friday) 1300 981 621.
The following sources also provide advice and support to international students:
- Insider Guides COVID-19 Resource Hub has a list of resources.
- International Student Emergency Relief Fund is a government fund to support international students in Victoria facing hardship as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Financial advice
- Working for Victoria is an initiative to help Victorians find new work opportunities.
- Rent relief offers assistance to eligible Victorians who are experiencing rental hardship due to COVID-19.
Official coronavirus (COVID-19) info & advice
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
Government Coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline
Coronavirus information in languages other than English
Western Region Emergency Relief Services
The Western Region Emergency Services guide provides contact details for a wide range of support services in the west. It includes contact details for the following services:
- housing and homelessness
- family violence
- emergency relief
- extreme hardship support
- food services
- financial counselling
- youth services
- utilities.
If you live in the west of Melbourne and need to access any of these services, please refer to Western Region Emergency Relief Services – COVID-19 update.
Staff FAQ list
A full list of FAQ for staff are available on the People and Culture intranet page (login may be required if offsite). Staff are encouraged to monitor their VU email accounts for further updates.