Coronavirus

Last Updated
15 Apr 2024 at 1:28pm

Charles Sturt University is committed to providing a COVID-safe environment for our students, staff, visitors and communities. As part of this commitment, we are retaining a seven-day isolation period for any students or staff who test positive to COVID-19.

Current requirements

While we no longer have a vaccination requirement for students, staff and visitors, we strongly recommend you are vaccinated against COVID-19 (including recommended boosters) and the flu prior to attending our campuses or events.

You may still need to meet vaccination requirements in specific circumstances, such as working in health clinics on campus or attending workplace learning. Vaccination is particularly important for science and health students going on placement in the community. You are encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible and will not be allocated workplace learning until you have provided evidence of your vaccination.

More about requirements for workers

Vaccination is also still a requirement for entry to the NSW Police Academy at Goulburn and the Wangaratta Regional Study Centre.

What you need to do

There are actions we can all take to play our role in keeping ourselves, our loved ones, and our community safe, on campus and wherever we go in public.

As part of our commitment to creating and sustaining a COVID-safe environment, we ask you to:

  • Encourage people to stay up to date with vaccinations
  • Advise people to stay home if feeling unwell
  • Recommend masks if people wish to wear them, or in crowded spaces where they cannot socially distance
  • We will ensure that we allow adequate spaces for our events and gatherings
  • Hand sanitiser is provided in our main learning commons areas and elsewhere within the campus common areas
  • Follow good hand hygiene and cough etiquette

Charles Sturt University does not provide Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) for students. You should source your own RATs to test if you have any symptoms.

Read our COVID-safe plan (PDF)

We also highly encourage you to complete the COVID-19 infection control online training, facilitated by the Australian Government.

Positive cases on campus

If you test positive for COVID-19, you are responsible for letting your social, work and education contacts know you have COVID-19. If someone in one of your classes tests positive for COVID-19, you will be advised via your Learning Management System.

Some campus services may be limited at times due to staff shortages from COVID-19, influenza and other illnesses. Any changes will be communicated as soon as possible via social media and signage on campus, or personalised contact if any appointments or workshops need to be rescheduled.

International students

International students studying on-campus in Australia will need to return to pre-COVID enrolment conditions by 30 June 2023. This means as an international student, you must study at least two-thirds of your subjects on-campus, as outlined in the Education Services for Overseas Studens Act 2000 (ESOS Act).

Find out more about enrolment requirements

Specific situations

You’ll continue to have access to all your online resources and set readings even if you need to isolate with COVID-19. Let your Subject Coordinator know if you will miss classes.

If you’re too unwell to complete assessments, you should contact your Subject Coordinator in the first instance to request an extension. You may be asked to apply for special consideration, and may need to provide details of a positive PCR or RAT as evidence to support your application.

You will also need to apply for special consideration if you miss workplace learning or an intensive (residential) school due to COVID-19.

You should let Residence Life know if you test positive to COVID-19 by lodging a report in Protecht. The university will respond on a case-by-case basis, including daily contact to check on your wellbeing. Campus security is available 24/7 or you should follow NSW Health advice for medical assistance. While isolating on campus, you will have access to shared facilities, but this should be kept to a minimum and you should wear a mask in all common areas. You will also need to source your own food, however Residence Life may be able to advise you on delivery of fast food or online orders.

All occupants of a building will be advised if a resident tests positive, and you will be encouraged to seek further advice from NSW Health. Residence Life will work with residents to implement risk mitigation, such as extra cleaning, in line with NSW Health recommendations.

In line with government advice, Charles Sturt University is continuing to encourage all students to have their COVID-19 vaccination. This is particularly important for science and health students who go out on placement into the community. Your Faculty Workplace Learning team will provide further details about vaccination requirements for your placement.

All health students need to be vaccinated, as well as those attending workplace learning in residential aged care, disability care, and in some cases for teacher education and preschool. The NSW Department of Education is currently still mandating vaccination, whilst in Catholic schools the requirements may vary from diocese to diocese. Independent schools and early childcare settings may also have their own vaccination requirements. If you are attending placements interstate, you will need to meet the requirements of that state.

In addition, some organisations may continue to have their own policies requiring vaccination. You must comply with the requirements of your host organisation to be able to undertake your placement. If you are required to be vaccinated for your placement, we will advise you via email.

To ensure your placements can proceed, and to help protect yourself and our community, you are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible:

  1. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker to find a vaccination clinic and book an appointment
  2. When booking your appointment, you need to identify as a ‘healthcare worker’ and provide proof of occupation – you can use your university ID card for this
  3. Download a support letter from your workplace learning Brightspace site to bring to your appointment
  4. Once you’re vaccinated, upload evidence to InPlace to let us know.

If you are on placement and feel unwell or have been exposed to COVID-19, you should not attend your workplace learning placement. Please advise your Faculty Workplace Learning team and your placement site supervisor immediately, and follow health advice.

Vaccination is no longer a requirement to leave Australia, although it is strongly recommended by the Australian Government. You are also advised to carry proof of vaccination documentation, and be able to show this if asked by an Australian official or transport provider. Your program host, airline or other groups may have their own requirements.

You may not be able to participate in international programs if you cannot meet the relevant Government and host requirements.