The wellbeing of USC students, staff and community continues to be our main priority. This page provides up-to-date information, advice and support available to USC students as we continue to respond to COVID-19.
All campuses have the required health and safety measures in place. The Queensland Government's Check In Queensland app is in place at all campuses. Please take notice of the signage, use your student ID card to swipe into teaching spaces, check-in when asked and stay at home if you are unwell.
As always, please stay up to date with the latest advice from Queensland Health. Any USC updates will be emailed to your USC student email account.
Update
Please ensure you are familiar with the restrictions in South East Queensland and the government's requirement for face masks, unless you have a lawful exemption.
We acknowledge the disruption COVID-19 can have on your studies, particularly the impact on clinical placements and that the uncertainty in this situation can be distressing. The University is doing everything we can to provide impacted students with updates as soon as further information is available. So, please remember to be kind to yourself and others and act with professionalism when liaising with USC staff. We’re all in this together. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please ensure you take advantage of the services available to you at USC and contact either Student Wellbeing or the Student Guild should you need support.
If you feel unwell or exhibit flu-like symptoms, you should not attend campus and should immediately seek a COVID test and self-isolate until the results are known. Queensland Health provides up-to-date guidance about the symptoms of COVID-19.
The current list of COVID-19 exposure sites across South East Queensland continues to be updated. If you have visited one or more of these locations around the times listed or at any stage feel unwell or exhibit flu-like symptoms, please follow the advice from QLD Health and get tested for COVID-19.
Please continue to check your student email and the advice for the USC community page for the latest USC updates.
COVID Safe measures in place
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The Queensland Government's Check In Queensland app is now operating on all campuses; if you must attend campus please be sure to check in with this app.
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USC is following the Queensland Government guidance for universities, TAFE and other educational institutions and have applied the following measures;
- Tutorial rooms and teaching computer labs – Normal room capacities apply to these spaces, however 1.5 metre physical distancing should be observed to the extent possible. All computers will be available in timetabled computer laboratories.
- Lecture theatres – Reduced capacities apply to comply with one person per 2m2 and physical distancing rules. Appropriate signage has been placed in these spaces.
- Technical, clinical and other teaching or research specialised facilities have specific COVID Safe plans.
- Staff and student common areas (including non-teaching computer labs) are required to adhere to physical distancing rules. Alternate computers in these spaces have been turned off to facilitate physical distancing. Check the latest open common areas on your campus.
- For information on particular USC facilities or services, please visit their webpage on the USC website.
- It is everyone’s responsibility to follow the signage and COVID guidelines around campus.
- Don't attend campus if you are unwell or have flu-like symptoms. Check Queensland Health's up-to-date guidance about the symptoms of COVID-19.
- If Queensland Health identifies that someone who has attended USC is a confirmed case of COVID-19, the University will follow their instructions on what actions to take. USC has the required contact tracing measures in place and will follow Queensland Health’s instructions on cleaning the campus to ensure the safety of students and staff when they return.
Take notice of the signage in all teaching areas. It is everyone’s responsibility to follow the signage and COVID guidelines in all campus spaces.
- Bring your student ID card to swipe in - You’ll need to swipe in with your Student ID card when you enter a room, regardless of whether the doors are open or not. If you don't have a student ID card or need a new one, find out how to get your student ID card.
- Space out in the classroom - If you’re waiting to enter a classroom, stand back and give other students plenty of room to exit before you enter. Don’t crowd doorways and take your time to find a seat, keep space between you and others. Class timetables have been planned to accommodate physical distancing, where possible.
- Clean your space - Wipe down your work area before and after use with the cleaning materials provided, so you know it’s clean and ready to go.
All student support services continue to be offered. We are excited to move back to on-campus and online services in 2021.
Should the situation change, support will continue to be offered online and any updated details on how this is delivered will be made available on the specific services web page.
We understand that the current situation is challenging in different ways for everyone. Please remember that Student Wellbeing provides free and confidential counselling services to students.
If you require after-hours support, contact SafeUSC.
For information about Australia's immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic visit the Department of Home Affairs’ COVID-19 and the border website.
- If you are a Student visa holder refer to the latest information regarding COVID-19 and Student visas.
- If you are currently located outside of Australia and are intending to return to Australia to complete your studies at USC, review updates on travel restrictions and exemptions regularly.
- Students enrolled in a Nursing or Allied Health program may be eligible for an individual exemption. Refer to the travel restrictions and exemptions webpage for details on eligibility criteria.
- If you are in Australia and your current visa is due to expire soon, you must ensure you either depart Australia by your visa end date or make suitable alternative visa arrangements. If you have no other visa options and are unable to depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you may be eligible for the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) visa.
Who can HDR students contact with questions about coronavirus?
Do HDR candidates still have access to campus facilities?
Are HDR students required to work from home?
Should HDR students create a research and study contingency plan?
Will HDR student be given automatic extensions to their candidature milestones?
How will impacts to HDR student scholarships be managed?
What leave entitlements to HDR students have?
Is the Graduate Research School still open?
How do I access and download software for my HDR studies off campus?
Can HDR students borrow IT equipment from USC?
What library resources and services can I currently access?
I’m due to deliver my Thesis presentation soon. Do I do this in person or remotely?
Has USC considered the impacts of COVID-19 on research activities?
Are HDR students still able to undertake travel related to their research?
Are HDR students still able to undertake face to face research activities?
How do HDR students determine if their research is critical?
Can HDR students still undertake fieldwork and other off campus activities?
What restrictions are in place for research that involves animals?
Additional information can be found via COVID-19 advice for the USC community.
Check In QLD app in use at all campuses
USC students, staff and visitors must check-in via the Check In QLD app when moving around our campuses and between buildings.