Victoria University's (VU's) priority is always the safety, health and wellbeing of our students, staff and community.
To help keep the VU community safe, we have made changes to how we deliver our courses. Find out more about changes to course delivery and what this means for your studies.
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions you may be stopped at a roadblock by Victoria Police on the direction of the Victorian Chief Health Officer. They are checking that people are only leaving their residence for a permitted reason.
They may ask you for evidence that you are undertaking essential and approved face-to-face learning activities (essential study). You can produce your digital identification which is available on the VU app.
The digital card is preferred as it will reduce the contact needed in checking a normal ID card. This will help protect you and protect the person at the check point.
The digital identification is preferred as it requires a log in through the VU Multifactor Authentication (MFA) system.
Police will be advised if they have concerns to check your driver’s license or other form of photo identification. The use of the digital identification for those leaving their residence is solely for the purpose of attending the class and returning.
People are not permitted to do anything else outside the permitted purpose, which in this case is to attend essential study. Please note that the University will be working proactively with Victoria Police and police have been advised of the escalation process back to the University should they (Victoria Police) have concerns that the digital identification card has been misused or its use misrepresented.
In response to government advice about the importance of physical distancing measures to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), VU has transitioned most of our units of study to an equivalent level, digitally-supported delivery model that students can access remotely.
Following the announcement of Stage 4 restrictions by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, VU is working to identify and find solutions to the impacts and challenges caused by these new restrictions, particularly where essential on-campus study is involved.
VU will update students directly through their student email account regarding any impact to essential on-campus learning, practical placements or research activities. If you have any concerns regarding how the current restrictions affect your study, contact your course coordinator for further advice.
If you do have special permission to attend a campus, you must wear a face covering when travelling to and from campus and while you are on campus. If you are not able to obtain a face mask yourself, you will be provided one by your teachers and lab assistants as necessary. Students who have a medical condition that allows them to attend class but prevents them from wearing a face mask will be required to show evidence provided to them by a medical practitioner.
You must also have the VU Safe app on your phone and use the app to log your attendance on campus. This app supports the COVID-19 tracing of people by them nominating their attendance on campus for face-to-face classes or for approved work or study. Using the app to mark your attendance on campus is mandatory.
Remote learning enables students to not have to be physically present at a school, college or university in order to attain an education. VU’s remote learning incorporates a digital study component and includes access to online learning materials.
Digital and remote delivery at VU commenced for many classes on 30 March and will continue until further advice is provided.
Victoria University will continue to monitor developing news and departmental advice regarding COVID-19.
The University continues to make considered decisions on its class delivery model and will be in communication with all students as circumstances change over time.
Digital and remote delivery commenced for almost all classes and will continue until further advice is provided.
Changes to COVID-19 restrictions will continue to affect students with essential on-campus learning, practical placements or research activities. If you have any concerns regarding how the current restrictions affect your study, contact your course coordinator.
Yes, you can access Zoom in VU Collaborate and work together with your classmates on group assignments. Please check the Zoom student guide for step-by-step instructions on how to do this.
Students already studying remotely, via VU Online, will not be affected by the change.
Most VU Polytechnic students will have access to supported remote learning on the first day of classes in April 2020.
Read our information for VU Polytechnic students.
Along with our undergraduate courses, our postgraduate coursework units will also be taught remotely. Please see FAQ above: 'Which units & courses will be taught by remote learning' for a few exceptions. Students already studying their postgraduate degree remotely via VU Online will not be affected by the change.
During the remaining 2020 study periods, students who fail a unit will not have the 'Fail' grade recorded on their academic transcript. A 'Withdrawal' result will be recorded instead of a Fail to ensure there is no academic penalty. These changes apply only to students whose study has moved from on-campus to digitally supported remote learning.
Fail grades for units undertaken during the remainder of the year will be converted to Withdrawal grades after the completion of supplementary and special examinations and all results have been finalised. This will provide students with the opportunity and time to initiate any requests for reconsideration of their grades from academic staff, and for those academics to review, re-assess and finalise the grade.
If you fail a unit during this period:
These changes do not apply to students who fail a unit as a consequence of academic misconduct.
You may request to be excluded from this temporary change and choose to have a Fail grade recorded rather than a Withdrawal. Please make your request in writing via AskVU.
Students studying through VU Online and TAFE are not affected by these changes.
These changes do not apply for fail grades related to students undertaking placement units.
Yes, it is mandatory for all residents of Victoria to wear a face mask in public.
If you are required to be on campus as part of your studies, you will need to wear a fitted face mask that covers the nose and mouth at all times as you travel to and from campus and while you are on campus. Bandanas, scarves or loose face coverings on their own are not sufficient.
The recommendation from the Victorian Chief Health Officer is to wear a mask with three layers which offers the best protection. If you are not able to obtain a face mask yourself, you will be provided one by your teachers and lab assistants as necessary.
Students who have a lawful exception e.g. medical condition that allows them to attend class but prevents them from wearing a face mask still need to keep 1.5 metres apart from others, wash or sanitise hands frequently and get tested if unwell even with mild symptoms.
Please check your VU email account to check for communication about how your college is managing block sequencing or alternative arrangements for placements.
You can also send a query to Work-integrated Learning, and the staff will direct your question to the appropriate college-based staff.
Email: [email protected]
If you are undertaking Work-Integrated Learning (placement) with one of our industry partners and are having difficulty sourcing face masks, please contact us and we will be able to assist you.
VU Library’s onsite library collection areas are closed. Some adjacent study areas on campus remain accessible for students.
Library Services will continue to support students via chat services and the Library’s online resources continue to be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are still many options to access library resources, participate in workshops and stay connected with our support staff:
Students can still access the internet, PCs and printing facilities via a limited number of student spaces at these campus locations:
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 job of Security as they ensure the health and safety of you and other students in our community.
Books can be returned to VU Library return chutes which are external to most VU campus libraries. At the same time, items can be renewed automatically as per current process.
Most core services will remain open.
Continuing services include:
If you require study and academic support outside of working hours contact:
VU Employ will now operate online. Students can email [email protected] (staffed hours are Monday–Friday, 11am–4pm) for career support.
We strongly require that social distancing occurs across the University. Please do not attend campus if you are feeling unwell.
You can access your virtual classrooms via VU Collaborate.
There are three ways of accessing your zoom virtual classroom, with both common steps and differences for each. Accessing the zoom virtual classroom varies depending on how your educator has set up your classroom.
The VU Collaborate Help Guide has information and step-by-step guides.
Webex Virtual Classrooms
To fully participate in a WebEx virtual classroom, we recommend that you work from a computer enabled with a webcam, speakers, and a microphone.
You may also like to use a headset or a headphone with an attached speaker.
A step-by-step guide can be found on the VU collaborate Help Guide.
The Library have laptops available that they can make available to students for an extended borrowing period. Please contact the Library to check laptop availability.
In addition, students can still access the internet, PCs and printing facilities via a number of student spaces on campus including:
For over-the-phone advice, use this Victorian Government service:
If it is an emergency, call 000 emergency and advise the ambulance service about your concerns regarding coronavirus.
Phone: 000
The Victorian Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline.
Phone: 1800 675 398.
If you are on campus and need first aid assistance contact security.
International students who have taken out the Allianz Global Assistance Essential Covers health insurance policy through Victoria University’s application process have access to specialised support services.
These include ‘Allianz Telehealth services’ powered by Doctors on Demand, a service which allows students to speak to a qualified Australian-based doctor 24 hours a day, seven days per week via phone or video call.
This service enables you to select a doctor based on gender or language spoken.
Students studying at our Sydney campus who are feeling anxious or distressed about the current situation can get in contact by email or phone.
If you are studying at our Victorian campuses and feeling anxious or distressed about the current situation, please get in touch.
As part of VU’s ongoing commitment to support our students through these challenging times, we launched the COVID-19 Student Support Fund & Appeal.
The fund supports enrolled students studying in Australia in both higher and vocational education.
Two types of grants are available:
Find out more about the grants and how to apply.
The Victorian Government has announced a $45 million International Student Emergency Relief Fund for international students facing financial hardship. Find out more about your eligibility and how to apply.
Students who are experiencing financial difficulties and stress can access a range of support services including interest-free student loans of up to $500 and VU's COVID-19 Student Support Fund for eligible students. To discuss your options, please book an appointment with a Senior Advisor.
Appointments are currently being conducted by phone only.
Email your enquiry to [email protected]. One of the team will get back to you as quickly as possible.
The Federal Government also recently announced additional support that some students may be eligible for. For more information about the latest Government financial supports, visit the Australian Government Treasury website.
The Australian Government has announced that those students eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy will receive an increase in their payments up to $550 per fortnight.
An additional $750 stimulus payment on top of the previous stimulus payment that was announced on 13 March will also be paid. This will also be paid to those students who are not eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy but hold a valid Low Income Health Care Card.
For more information on Youth Allowance, Austudy and Abstudy please visit www.dhs.gov.au.
