Alerts
The global cybersecurity incident affecting the Canvas learning management system is impacting thousands of schools and universities worldwide, including the University of Newcastle.
With Canvas unavailable, students have been advised to contact their Course Coordinators directly via email for all matters relating to their learning activities.
We will continue to keep our students and community updated via the alerts below as more information becomes available.
Canvas has been restored Last updated: Thursday, 14th May 2026 - 10:00am
Issued for: All locations
The University of Newcastle’s Canvas Learning Management System has been restored for staff and students.
Access is available via the myUni app or directly at https://canvas.newcastle.edu.au, as usual.
We thank our students and staff for their patience and understanding over the past week, and acknowledge the many colleagues across the University who worked tirelessly under challenging circumstances to support learning continuity and restore system access.
If you require support following this period, please reach out. Student support services are available here, and staff can access the University’s Employee Assistance Program.
Canvas access being restored Last updated: Tuesday, 12th May 2026 - 5:30pm
Issued for: All locations
Following new developments confirmed by the vendor Instructure, the University of Newcastle will be restoring access to Canvas.
We expect Canvas to be available from this Thursday, 14 May – time to be confirmed.
As part of this process, Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) is undertaking a range of activities to re-establish system availability, access controls, and integrations for learning and teaching tools.
As previously advised, arrangements for assessments and exams being rescheduled as a result of the outage will remain in place, with Course Coordinators advising students of revised timelines and requirements.
The extension of the Semester 1 Fully Graded Date to 29 May will also remain in place.
Our University community is advised to be aware that the elevated risk of targeted phishing attempts following the initial data breach remains. As a precaution, all staff and students are encouraged to take the following actions:
- Change your password – please refer to this ServiceNow article for guidance and instructions.
- Be alert for suspicious emails - including those that look legitimate, where they are asking you to click links, download attachments, or provide login credentials.
- Report suspicious activity - use the "Report Phishing" button in your email or contact the DTS Service Desk immediately if you notice unusual system behaviour.
- Verify the sender - check the sender’s email address carefully. Cyber attackers often use "look-alike" domains that appear similar to official University addresses.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) - ensure MFA is active on all your University accounts. If you receive an MFA prompt that you did not initiate, deny it immediately and report it.
We recognise that this incident may have caused distress, so please reach out if you need help. Student support services are available here, and staff can contact the University’s Employee Assistance Program.
Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we work through the restoration process.
Canvas update – Trimester 2 teaching and learning activities to go ahead from 11 May Last updated: Sunday, 10th May 2026 - 8:30pm
Issued for: All locations
Our University has not reinstated Canvas as our learning support platform at this stage. We will only do so if it is verified that all systems are safe, secure, and stable. This decision has not been made lightly. We are placing a high priority on the safety and security of our student and staff personal information.
While access to Canvas remains unavailable, classes and learning activities will continue as scheduled, with some contingency arrangements as follows:
TRIMESTER 2 – STARTING ON MONDAY 11 MAY AS PLANNED
For students studying face-to-face
- Classes will commence as planned tomorrow (11 May)
- Course Coordinators will continue to be your primary point of contact and will communicate directly with students via University email.
- Course outlines, pre‑reading, and/or learning materials that would normally be available through Canvas will be distributed via email.
For students studying online:
- Learning activities will continue, but will have some differences in delivery this week given Canvas is unavailable at the moment.
- Your Course Coordinator will provide instructions, links, and/or materials directly via email.
Students undertaking teaching and learning activities outside of standard terms will also continue their studies with Course Coordinators as key contacts during this time.
During this period, your patience is appreciated as response times might be longer than usual.
FOR STUDENTS WHO WERE IMPACTED LAST WEEK (end of SEMESTER 1 and TRIMESTER 1)
- Assessments due last Friday or over the weekend were extended, with new due dates to be advised by your Course Coordinator.
- Alternative arrangements for exams impacted last Friday will be communicated shortly.
- Fully Graded Dates for Semester 1 will be extended by approximately one week. More details will be provided when available.
ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES
If you wish to lodge an adverse circumstances application, please contact your Course Coordinator directly in the first instance. Our priority is to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by this outage.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this situation.
Further updates will be shared as soon as more information becomes available.
Global Canvas outage Last updated: Friday, 8th May 2026 - 5:00pm
Issued for: All locations
The University is aware that the Canvas outage has caused a break in access to our Adverse Circumstances form. Rest assured, the system outage period will be taken into consideration for any adverse circumstances applications received once live again. Additional supporting documentation for adverse circumstances will not be required if your application relates to the Canvas outage.
If students have immediate concerns or questions, they are advised to reach out to their Course Coordinators via email.
Our priority is to ensure that no student is disadvantaged by this outage.
We recognise that this event may be stressful, so please reach out if you need help. Student support services are available here, and staff can contact the University’s Employee Assistance Program.
Global Canvas outage Last updated: Friday, 8th May 2026 - 10:00am
Issued for: All locations
The University is aware of a global Canvas outage currently affecting institutions worldwide.
As a result, Canvas and related online learning materials are not accessible.
During this time, students should contact their Course Coordinators directly via email regarding any matters related to their learning activities.
Students scheduled to sit exams today have been contacted directly and advised that these exams will be rescheduled.
The University is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and will continue to keep staff and students updated as more information becomes available.
Canvas cybersecurity incident Last updated: Wednesday, 6th May 2026 - 2:00pm
Issued for: All locations
The University of Newcastle has been notified of a global cybersecurity incident affecting the Canvas learning management system (LMS). The vendor of the Canvas LMS has confirmed that our University is among approximately 9,000 institutions impacted by this event.
The vendor has advised that unauthorised access to its platform has resulted in the theft of data associated with some Canvas accounts. While the investigation is ongoing, they have confirmed that the affected data includes:
- Student names and University email addresses
- Student ID numbers
- Some content stored within Canvas, such as messages and course-related information.
At this time, the vendor reports they have found no evidence that passwords, dates of birth, government identifiers, or financial information are involved.
What is the University doing?
Our University has taken immediate action to secure all system connections, audit administrative access, and reset relevant credentials. We are also in contact with national cybersecurity agencies and we will continue to monitor our systems closely for any suspicious activity.
What should you do?
While the information affected appears to be limited, there is a heightened risk for targeted phishing attempts.
As a precaution, please take the following actions:
- Change your password – as a protective measure, please update your password to your email account and any other systems where you use the same or similar credentials.
- Be alert for suspicious emails - including those that look legitimate, where they are asking you to click links, download attachments, or provide login credentials.
- Report suspicious activity - use the "Report Phishing" button in your email or contact the DTS Service Desk immediately if you notice unusual system behaviour.
- Verify the sender - check the sender’s email address carefully. Cyber attackers often use "look-alike" domains that appear similar to official University addresses.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) - ensure MFA is active on all your University accounts. If you receive an MFA prompt that you did not initiate, deny it immediately and report it.
Canvas is currently operating as normal. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Communications have been sent to all students, notifying them of this incident and providing advice on precautionary measures and support.
More information
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.