The University of Newcastle is committed to supporting our students, staff, and community members through the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you test positive and have been on campus in the 48 hours prior, please notify your manager, supervisor or course coordinator and log an incident report in AIMS, the University's online incident reporting system.

As of 14 October 2022 it is no longer mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive to COVID-19, unless you are working in a high risk setting, such as healthcare, aged care, disability services and correctional facilities. However, it is strongly recommended that if you are unwell you stay at home and rest until your symptoms have gone. Please don't put others at risk unnecessarily.

Frequently asked questions

Vaccinations

Do I need to be vaccinated to come to campus?

You are not required to be vaccinated to attend campus for work or study. However, the University strongly recommends that all staff and students get vaccinated, including getting a booster dose as soon as they are eligible. There are currently no NSW Public Health Orders that generally mandate vaccination. However some industries, following risk assessment will have local requirements. If you are a staff member or student interacting in these industries such as health, aged care and education you will be required to produce evidence of current vaccination status.

If I am partially vaccinated, unvaccinated or medically exempt can I continue to work/study in these industries?

If your work role or student placement requires vaccination as part of a local vaccination policy requirement then you will need to work with your manager or placement coordinator to determine whether you can fulfil your work or study requirements and your responsibilities. Evidence of medical exemption must be obtained through your doctor. The University Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team can assist staff, students and coordinators. Please email healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au for more information regarding a Personal COVID Action Plan.

Do I have to show proof of my vaccination to work in those industries?

Providing proof of vaccination remains a requirement for staff and students operating in certain clinical, disability and early childhood settings, and if undertaking work in schools. Staff and students operating in these areas will be required to provide evidence of vaccination status to their manager or placement coordinator. Staff and students should speak to their manager or placement coordinator on how to provide their evidence of vaccination.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated to live on campus?

If you are applying to live in the University student residences, it is no longer mandatory to be vaccinated. It is however, strongly recommended that students are vaccinated to reduce the risk of infection and impact of COVID-19 for all our student residents. You are unable to be vaccinated and vulnerable to infection, please contact healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au so we can support with an appropriate risk management plan.

Some people on campus won’t be vaccinated. What should I do to minimise risk of COVID-19 transmission on campus, while working, in lectures, workshops and tutorials?

The best way to protect the community against the spread of COVID-19 is to practice COVID safe behaviours. Unvaccinated students, staff and visitors are encouraged to consider implementing a Personal COVID Action Plan to minimise their personal risk and risk to others. You can access a Personal COVID Plan by emailing healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au.

As COVID restrictions continue to ease in NSW, it is increasingly likely that each of us at some point will have contact with people who are not vaccinated. This could be at the University, but it could equally be in the supermarket, on public transport, or in any other social or public setting.

It should also be remembered that vaccination reduces the risk of infection, but it does not eliminate it. COVID-19 can also be spread by vaccinated people. While being vaccinated means you are much less likely to get or pass on COVID-19, or get a severe case, you still need to be conscious that you may unknowingly contract and pass on the disease to others.

Face masks

Do I have to wear a face mask when I am on campus?

While generally, mask wearing is no longer mandatory in most settings, it is still strongly recommended in all indoor settings where you cannot maintain safe social distancing. There are some locations where mask wearing is required and expected, these locations will be sign posted accordingly.

Do I have to wear a face mask on University transport?

No. Masks are no longer required on public transport or on shuttle services.

Will the University supply face masks?

Staff, students and visitors need to provide their own face masks to use on campus.

In certain work, such as for front-line staff whose role involves regular face-to-face interaction (e.g. teaching, service desks), or if masks are already a standard component of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) then they may be supplied by the University. Please check with your manager or supervisor.

Symptoms on campus

What if I'm just a little unwell but have something important to do on campus or I develop symptoms while on campus?

As of 14 October 2022 it is no longer mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive to COVID-19, unless you are working in a high risk setting, such as healthcare, aged care, disability services and correctional facilities. However, it is strongly recommended that if you are unwell you stay at home and rest until your symptoms have gone. Make arrangements with your coordinator, supervisor or manager to change your plans or reschedule. Don't put others at risk unnecessarily.

If you test positive and have been on campus in the 48 hours prior, please notify your manager, supervisor or course coordinator and log an incident report in AIMS, the University's online incident reporting system.

Rapid antigen tests

Will the University supply rapid antigen test (RAT) kits?

No, the University no longer supplies RATs.

What should I do if I test positive to COVID-19?

While it is no longer mandatory to isolate if you test positive to COVID-19, if you do test positive and have been on campus 48 hours prior to your test or the onset of symptoms, whichever is sooner, please notify the University via the incident notification system AIMS and notify your supervisor or course coordinator. In your incident notification, please provide the following information:

  • The date you tested positive.
  • The following details about your time on campus in the 48 hours prior to testing or the onset of symptoms: 
    • If a student, course code and name
    • Dates and times on campus
    • Specific locations (room numbers), office details if you are a staff member
    • The name of the course coordinator/tutor/lecturer.

Be sure to follow the NSW advice for those who test positive, including notifying via the Service NSW app if you tested positive to a rapid antigen test (RAT) or PCR. If you are unsure what to do or have any concerns please contact healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au, your supervisor or course coordinator or AskUON for further advice and assistance.

What if I am a close contact of someone who has tested positive to COVID-19?

The NSW government no longer requires isolation of household and close contacts if specific guidelines are met. Staff and students must follow the current NSW advice for people exposed to COVID-19.

Do I need to isolate for 7 days if I test positive to COVID or am a household or close contact?

No, if you are symptom free and able to meet specific conditions of attendance on campus. However, if you are positive to COVID-19 we strongly encourage you stay at home to rest and recover and protect others on campus. Please discuss working from home arrangements with your supervisor/course coordinator.  If you must come to campus, please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.

Avoid contact with elderly and immunocompromised persons where possible and do not visit aged care, hospitals, disability, and correctional facilities unless a special exemption applies. Students on placement will need to follow the requirements of their host organisation.

How will rules and restrictions be enforced on campus?

All students, staff and visitors are expected to follow NSW Health advice and to observe any COVID-safe procedures the University has in place. If someone does not follow these rules, they will be asked to leave the campus. For students and staff, refusal to follow a reasonable direction of the University will be handled via standard University policy or procedure including the Code of Conduct.

What cleaning regime is in place?

Regular cleaning and sanitising is carried out across campus, with particular focus on high traffic areas.

matrix In general, ‘deep cleaning’ is not required unless specifically advised by NSW Health.

Is the University providing hand sanitizer?

Yes. The University provides hand sanitizer across campus, particularly in high traffic areas.

Is the University providing sanitizer wipes?

Yes. The University provides sanitizer wipes across campus.

How will equipment that is frequently used or shared be cleaned?

The University provides sanitizer wipes across our campuses and frequently used or shared equipment (e.g. handheld microphones) should be wiped between users.

What is the University's approach to room capacity?

While density limits no longer apply to teaching spaces, the majority of locations/rooms are within or better than 1:2 person to square meters capacity when at normal usage. Where there are exceptions, other mitigating controls are applied. In areas where physical distancing is not possible, it is the advice to wear a mask.

ventilation

What is the University's approach to ventilation?

The University has reviewed the NSW Government COVID-19 guidance on ventilation and has considered which measures are relevant to our campuses. The following have been considered in accordance with the NSW Government guidance:

Use outdoor settings wherever possible.

  • Staff and students are encouraged to hold meetings/activities outdoors wherever possible and safe to do so in accordance with NSW Government guidelines.
  • The University provides external seating adjacent to many buildings and in surrounding areas for external dining/seating options. Various areas are in part covered from weather. Terraced seating is provided throughout campuses.

In indoor areas, increase natural ventilation by opening windows and doors where possible.

  • In buildings with externally facing doors/windows, these can be kept open to increase ventilation where it is possible, safe and practical to do so.

In indoor areas, increase mechanical ventilation where possible by optimising air conditioning or other system settings (such as by maximising the intake of outside air and reducing or avoiding recirculation of air).

  • Air conditioning systems have been re-optimised to increase fresh air intake while ensuring comfort conditions are met.
  • Outside air dampers have been adjusted to provide maximum outside air intake, which greatly increases ventilation however also decreases the effectiveness of the cooling system. As such building maximum temperatures may move to 25 degrees Celsius from the set maximum of 24 degrees Celsius.
  • Night purging of the buildings that have a central Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system controlled by the Building Management System (BMS) has been implemented.
  • Building filters have been changed within the past 6 months. These filters are not hospital grade high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters as our HVAC systems do not have the capability to operate with such dense filters.
  • Operating hours of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems have been extended to 6am start and 8pm finish.

Ensure mechanical ventilation systems are regularly maintained to optimise performance (for example through regular filter cleaning or filter changes).

  • The existing mechanical systems will be reviewed to provide the services as per the above. The mechanical systems are subject to regular maintenance and filter replacements as required. These can be increased if required.

What are the current teaching arrangements?

The University is fully open, so that students can get back to face-to-face learning and enjoy everything that campus life has to offer. We understand that some students may be unable to attend classes in person, and we will continue to offer remote learning options wherever possible.

Many of our courses are available online. You can check your program handbook or the list of online courses for your options. Make sure you check your Program Plan to make sure these courses are permitted in your degree. In addition to the online courses, some face to face courses will be delivered in a format which supports remote learning for international students who are off-shore.

Please go to AskUON for specific information about courses that may be able to be taken remotely.

I would prefer to study online. Is that an option?

We understand that some students may still be unable to attend campus or prefer to study online. We will continue to provide the choice between online and in-person options where we can.

In some units there may be elements of study that require you to physically attend campus or another setting. If you are unable to attend or have any concerns you should raise these with your course coordinator.

The University has outlined a number of COVID Safe Behaviours when coming to campus and has reviewed its COVID safe arrangements and settings.

Will fieldwork, clinical placements and PACE happen this year?

In general, fieldwork and placements  will happen this year but are subject to changing Government regulations and policies set out by our partners. Please contact your course coordinator directly for further information about your specific situation.

What do I do if COVID-19/isolation impacts my study or work placement?

If you miss classes, assessments or time on placement because you contract COVID-19 and are unwell, please contact your course coordinator or AskUON.

How do I apply for Adverse Circumstances if my studies are affected by COVID-19?

Please see the AskUON information pages for advice and information.

For further advice and information, contact AskUON via:

Wellbeing Support

There is a range of support available to students both on campus and online. You can contact Student Counselling if you would like to talk to someone about your mental wellbeing. If you are concerned about the mental health of a fellow student and it is an emergency, you should contact Emergency Services on 000 or Security on (02) 4921 5888. If it is not an emergency you can contact Campus Care.

For urgent or emergency care:

  • Off campus: Emergency services phone 000
  • On campus: Security (02) 4921 5888

What if I am a staff member in a vulnerable or higher risk group for COVID-19?

Some members of our community are vulnerable or at a higher risk of developing, or having serious symptoms to, COVID-19 (including people aged 70 years and over, people aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions, all people with compromised immune systems, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 with chronic medical conditions).

If you are a staff member in this vulnerable or higher risk category, you should speak with your supervisor or manager about your circumstances and available options - including having a risk assessment before returning to work on campus, continuing to work remotely while the COVID-19 risk is high, reduced or modified hours. There may be other options appropriate to your specific circumstances.

The University may request that you provide supporting medical evidence and/or request to speak with your medical practitioner. This may be required to ensure that any restrictions or limitations that may impact your ability to perform the duties of your role are fully understood and the University can ensure that you are provided with appropriate support. If you or your supervisor need any assistance understanding the available options, please email healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au for assistance.

If I test positive to COVID-19, can I claim personal leave while I recover?

Yes. If you test positive to COVID-19 and are too unwell to work then you may claim personal leave for that period as per any other illness. You may be asked to provide supporting evidence in accordance with the Personal Leave policy.

What wellbeing support is available for staff?

If you need to, staff can talk to their manager or contact the UON employee assistance program (EAP) provider, NewPsych on
(02) 4926 5005 or via their portal to arrange an appointment. EAP is a free and confidential counselling, coaching and wellbeing service for staff and their immediate family.

If I am a First Aid Officer, what advice is available to me?

First Aid Officers and those providing first aid should be aware of standard infection control strategies. If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Team at healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au or
(02) 403 39999 (extension 39999) option #5 .

What research activities are currently permitted?

All elements of on and off-campus research within Australia are permitted subject to the usual approval processes.

Are events still allowed to proceed?

All gatherings and events are permitted, subject to the usual risk assessments and approvals, and should be carried out in a COVID Safe way in accordance with the NSW Rules. There are currently no density limits under the NSW Rules. .

Is domestic travel permitted?

Travel on University business to regional NSW and interstate within Australia is permitted for all staff in accordance with the relevant approvals set out in the Travel Hub, the Travel Policy and Travel Procedure.

Travellers and approvers are responsible for ensuring that there are contingency plans in place in case of contracting COVID-19 while travelling.

Is international travel permitted?

All international travel on University business must be processed through the Travel Hub. and is subject to the Travel Policy and Travel Procedure.

  • Travel must be in accordance with the current Australian and international border restrictions and entry requirements, recognising that these may change at short notice.
  • Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have checked and comply with any relevant health or other restrictions and entry requirements that are in place for each destination travelled to or through.
  • Travellers and approvers are responsible for ensuring that there are contingency plans in place for if the traveller contracts COVID-19 while travelling, potential quarantine requirements, and potential limitations on travel (e.g. border closures).
  • Travellers and approvers are also responsible for ensuring that they understand the extent of cover provided by University insurances before travelling. For insurance and International SOS purposes the University requires all travellers to have a valid email address and mobile number and ensure their traveller profiles are up to /date before travelling.

The University continues to follow government health advice and apply COVID-19 workplace risk control measures to ensure our students and staff remain safe.

As of Friday 14th October 2022 it is no longer mandatory to self-isolate if you test positive to COVID-19, but it is strongly recommended you stay home and take steps to protect others. Please note, a COVID-19 positive person may be infectious for up to 10 days and most infectious in the 2 days before symptoms start and while experiencing acute symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, fever and cough.

  • Staying at home will help you rest and recover.
  • Talk to your manager about WFH arrangements.
  • Don't visit people who are at high risk of severe illness, including anyone in hospital, aged or disability care facilities.
  • If you do need to leave home, wear a mask indoors and on public transport.
  • Avoid large and indoor gatherings.
  • Register your positive test results with Service NSW

In line with updates to NSW Public Health Orders, masks are no longer mandatory indoors, however the University recommends the wearing of masks in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Consistent with our risk management approach, there will be some high-risk settings where mask wearing may be mandated. Students and staff may of course wear a mask as a personal preference.

If you are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to health reasons, in addition to the University’s risk controls, you are supported to take personal steps to reduce your risk of infection with COVID-19. Staff and students can also seek support for a well to work plan through healthandsafety@newcastle.edu.au

We will continue to review and apply all reasonable safety precautions to ensure our University remains a safe environment to work and study. Due to our COVID-safe approach, the risk of exposure in the majority of teaching scenarios is low, which means in the event of a positive case on campus, face-to-face teaching will continue. Staff will endeavour to offer online tutorials for students who are required to isolate and, where this is not practical, students should apply for adverse circumstances.

Our campuses

On-campus arrangements

  • Do not come to campus if you are feeling unwell, or are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If you feel unwell during your time on campus, please go home to rest and recover. Please test for COVID-19 and if you receive a positive result please advise anyone you have been in contact with.
  • The University encourages students and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including booster vaccination, as soon as you are eligible.
  • While masks are no longer mandatory indoors, the University recommends the wearing of masks in settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Consistent with our risk approach, there will be some high-risk settings where mask wearing may be mandated. Staff and students in these environments will be notified directly and signage placed in those areas.
  • Stay COVID-safe by washing your hands, maintaining physical distancing and avoid physical greetings.
  • We are supporting a COVID-safe campus through regular sanitisation and cleaning, and effective ventilation.
  • Utilise well ventilated spaces and move outdoors for breaks and meetings where you can.
  • Please see the Library Updates and Support page for up-to-date Library arrangements.

These plans are subject to any changes to NSW Public Health Orders.

Information for our residents

Student living portal

Learn more

Travel and health information

For the most up-to-date information, visit:

Student Hardship Fund

Crucial assistance to students facing emergency situations

Learn more


Information for media

Journalists, please direct all media enquiries to media@newcastle.edu.au