Information for students—COVID-19

Common questions about the Coronavirus infection (COVID-19), government advice, the University's response, and how it will affect your studies.

We hope the following information provides answers for you. This page will be continually updated as the situation unfolds.

Latest update - Tuesday 5 October 2021

Note in relation to the information below: The new definition of fully vaccinated person means a person who

(a) has had 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, OR

(b) has a medical contraindication certificate issued to the person.

As the New South Wales Government moves closer to its staged plans to reopen our society from lockdown, I am writing to tell you about the University’s plans for our return to campus as they relate to your learning journey.

Our return to campus for coursework students will be a three-step process that will take place over the coming months. Please do note that Macquarie Coursework Steps for learning and teaching return outlined here do not precisely align with the NSW Stages due to our long-established schedule of the academic year.

If you are an HDR student, while the overall Return to Campus Plan will apply to everyone, the Coursework Steps described here may not apply to your circumstances, and specific information will be communicated to you in coming days.

For the Coursework Steps 1 and 2 (from 11 October to 1 December) the campus re-openings will occur under the prevailing Public Health Orders and NSW Government Roadmap to reopening, where the easing of restrictions applies to those who have been fully vaccinated. Domestic students can access a vaccination through the MQ Health GP Clinic while international students can book a vaccination though Ryde Respiratory Clinic.

Unfortunately, if you are not fully vaccinated you will be unable to visit the campus during this period.

Our Coursework Steps for learning and teaching return will be:

Step 1: 11 October to 28 November

In this first step we will see limited return of teaching and learning to campus.  The impact on your current circumstances is summarised below:

A. Students currently enrolled in units with online delivery only  

If you are currently enrolled in units being delivered online, you will continue to complete your studies online for Session 2.  With regard to any formal examinations you should consult the exam timetable. I note that in the Faculty of Science and Engineering there are a small number of units that were delivered online in S2 in which you will have the option to complete the examination on campus in a COVID-Safe exam hall.  Your unit convenor will advise you if you are enrolled in one of these units. It will be your decision whether you wish to complete the exam on-campus or online.

Over the coming weeks as the campus begins to reopen, and if your individual circumstances allow, you will be able to once again visit our wonderful campus and catch up with friends, visit our sporting facilities, enjoy a meal or pay a visit to the UBar. It is also our hope that we will be able to open some other facilities on campus such as extra study spaces and computer labs during this period.

All teaching and campus activities will continue to be conducted within strict COVID-Safe guidelines with our helpful COVIDSafe Ambassadors back on campus.

B. Students enrolled in units with mandatory on-campus learning activities

As per my previous communication, if you are a student currently enrolled in a unit with a mandatory learning activity you can expect to return to campus to complete those activities from Monday 18 October.  You should soon receive further details from your unit convenor through your unit’s iLearn site or email setting out how you will finalise your learning activities.

With regard to any formal examination that you may have to complete for a unit of study please consult the exam timetable. It is possible that your exam for a specific unit of study will be completed in the examination period or delayed until you have completed your on-campus learning activities. Your Unit Convenor will advise you of the situation for specific units of study.

You will also soon receive further information for those students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete these activities on campus at this time.  As I alluded to in my last communication you will be given the option of either withdrawing without any financial or academic penalty or pausing your study in the unit until the next time it is offered on campus, and you are able to return.

Step 2: 29 November 2021 to 30 January 2022

Step 2 covers our usual summer teaching sessions. There will be no large group teaching on campus, but you will be able to choose to return to campus for small group learning activities in many of the units that will be taught over summer.

There will be units offered that have mandatory on campus or other face-to-face learning activities and you should not enrol in these units if you are unable to complete these activities.

For students who are unable to attend campus for whatever reason there may be a limited number of units available in your course that can be completed fully online. Students who genuinely are unable to attend campus for mandatory requirements will be handled on a case-by-case basis. A dedicated website listing our S3 unit offerings will soon be available and will assist you to understand the requirements for specific units.

All on-campus learning activities will continue to comply with Public Health Orders and our own COVID-Safe plans.

A range of campus facilities will continue to be open for you to enjoy over summer.

Step 3: From 31 January 2022

Step 3 covers teaching periods in February and our main return to teaching from Monday 31 January 2022 including Session 1.  In these teaching periods, and where possible, we hope to see a return to large group teaching such as lectures in a number of units of study.

Where possible we will continue to give you the choice of choosing whether you wish to complete a small group learning activity on campus or online. More units, however, will return with mandatory on campus learning activities.

Students who will not be able to attend campus in this session should consult with their Faculty Student Centre to confirm what provisions will be in place to support their learning. Information for S1, 2022 is not currently available but unit offerings and the timetable will be finalised shortly.

I am very pleased that we are now turning our thoughts to our return to campus. I take this opportunity to thank you for your persistence with your studies during the challenging circumstances of the lockdown. I look forward to your return and wish you all the best as you finalise your studies for this session.

Sincerely,

Professor S. Bruce Dowton

Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University

Monday 23 August 2021

With the current high rates of COVID-19 transmission in the community, and lockdown orders extended into September, Macquarie has decided to continue with online learning for the remainder of Session 2 for all units without mandatory on-campus learning activities.

  • Examinations for Session 2 will be conducted online where possible.
  • Alternative arrangements for units that require mandatory on-campus learning activities are being planned. A range of possibilities about how to achieve this are being considered and we will be communicating details to those students in these units shortly.

Both staff and students are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated as soon as possible.  AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is available at Macquarie’s GP Clinic for domestic students and the WISE COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic in North Ryde.

With the growing number of people contracting COVID-19 every day, we ask that if you test positive for COVID-19, please email our COVIDSafe team who are working tirelessly to keep our community safe and compliant with NSW Public Health Orders.

As always, our aim is to return to working, learning, teaching and research on campus as soon as we can do so safely, and we acknowledge the impact this lockdown has on your studies and appreciate the resilience you have shown.

If you have any questions contact Student Connect during business hours. For out of hours support, please contact 1800 CARE MQ (1800 2273 67).

Tuesday 3 August 2021

As the University continues to adapt to the changing risks of the current COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, we have taken further steps to minimise activity on campus. It was planned for most Session 2 teaching to be online with some units requiring campus-based activities to be conducted on campus from Week 1, however our plans are now:

  • All on-campus learning activities including face-to-face coursework, labs and practicums have been paused until the end of the current lockdown period (28 August).
  • For those units with an on campus component, learning activities will either continue online or be re-scheduled to a time when they can be conducted safely on campus.
    • The only exception is clinical placement students in the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences who may continue if the setting in which the placement occurs remains willing to take students (excluding regional placements).

Depending on further extensions to the current stay-at-home orders from NSW Health, we hope to be able to resume on-campus teaching in a staged mode from Monday 30 August.

Wednesday 28 July 2021

As the community transmission of the virulent Delta strain of COVID-19 has continued to increase, the the stay-at-home orders for Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour have been extended as announced by the NSW Premier today.

In accordance with these restrictions we are:

  • extending working from home guidance for staff, and therefore
  • continuing online learning for students
  • exploring ways University resources could be effectively deployed to support the drive to vaccinate as many citizens of NSW as possible during August.
  • urging everyone to be vaccinated as soon as possible, as it is the best and most effective way to end these restrictions that impact our lives

Our aim will be to return to working, learning, teaching and research on campus as soon as we can do so safely, and we acknowledge the impact this lockdown has on your studies and appreciate the resilience you have shown.

If you have any questions contact Student Connect during business hours. For out of hours support, please contact 1800 CARE MQ (1800 2273 67).

Tuesday 13 July 2021

As the community transmission of COVID-19 has continued to increase and the extension of the stay-at-home orders, we have made some adjustments to how we will commence learning and teaching at the beginning of Session 2.

  • Session 2 teaching will commence as scheduled on 26 July
  • For the first two weeks of session, and where possible, your classes and/or individual learning activities such as a tutorial or seminar, will be conducted online.
  • For some units it may not be possible for all classes to be delivered online. Classes that can only be taught in person, such as laboratory work or practicums, will be taught on campus from Week 1. These activities will be conducted in a COVID safe manner, supported by COVIDSafe plans designed for that space and activity.
  • Macquarie University International College (MUIC) students will be sent separate information from the Director about Term 4.
  • You will soon receive further information related to your particular circumstances. For most students, there is nothing you will need to do other than ensuring you are enrolled and keeping a close eye out for messages from your course director or unit convenor regarding what will happen in each of your units in Weeks 1 and 2.

Wednesday 7 July 2021

In line with the NSW Government's revised stay at home orders until at least 11:59pm on Friday 16 July, for Greater Sydney (including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government areas), the University has announced the following update.

Learning

  • Class registration will recommence from Monday 12 July 2021. Students will receive an email advising when they will be able to register in classes dependent upon cohort. Dates and times for class registration are also detailed on the Enrolment and class registration dates page.
  • In light of the impact this lockdown extension has on class timetabling, Session 2 will revert to small group face-to-face learning only with mandatory face mask wearing in place for all students and staff.
  • All large group lectures will revert to online only.
  • We will reassess this position for lectures and classes at the Session 2 mid-session break and in line with NSW Government guidelines.
  • We hope to be able to reactivate all learning and teaching activities on campus as early as it is possible to do so safely and in line with our obligations to follow guidance from NSW Government.

Campus

  • In Session 2, students and staff will be required to register their entry and exit into all buildings via QR code to NSW Health. Our property team is currently working on setting up QR code registration points at the entry and exit points for all buildings. This additional step is being taken following guidance from NSW Health to help contact tracing efforts which are so important in managing community transmission of COVID-19. It is very important that we all remember to register our entry and exit from our buildings when you return to studying on campus.
  • Campus remains open for Session 2 including library, sports and aquatic centre, as well as retail services all anticipated to be operating normally. This position is subject to change in light of any further Public Health Orders from NSW Government.

Macquarie would like to acknowledge the impact these changes have on your studies in Session 2. We know you must be disappointed in not being able to participate in large group learning activities from the beginning of the Session and feel the general disruption to your studies.

If you have any questions contact Student Connect during business hours. For out of hours support, please contact 1800 CARE MQ (1800 2273 67).

Wednesday 30 June 2021

In line with the NSW Government's stay at home orders until at least 11:59pm on Friday July 9, for Greater Sydney (including Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government areas), the University's COVID-19 Taskforce has implemented the following:

  • Class registration in eStudent for Session 2 2021 has been paused for online and in-person classes. This will allow the University time to review the class timetables for unit delivery in Session 2. New students accepting offers and unit enrolment will continue to be open for all commencing and continuing students. This pause applies to registration for both online and in-person classes.
  • Staff advised to work from home until Close of Business 9 July 2021
  • Only essential staff to attend campus with maintaining 1.5 metre physical distancing and mask wearing compulsory at all times except where there are specific exemptions under the Public Health Orders.
  • The University Library is closed but click and collect services will commence from 1 July 2021.
  • The University Hospital is open.
  • The reactivation of the one person per four square metre rule is now in place and 1.5 metre physical distancing applies until further notice.
  • QR code check-in is mandatory at all campus retail outlets, however, a number of campus retailers may take the opportunity to close while restrictions are in force.
  • Childcare centres and vacation care remain open and the Junior Science Academy (JSA) is continuing.
  • The Prayer Room, Lighthouse Theatre and Safe Spaces will be closed this week and next week.
  • All events for this period are paused or are being moved online.

Thursday 1 April 2021

In line with the New South Wales Governments easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we have reviewed our COVIDSafe plan and arrangements.  The COVID-19 Taskforce has endorsed the University moving to a new ‘COVID Lower Risk’ phase, effective immediately. This phase consists of the following:

  • A return to large group learning from Session 2 with the continuation of both face-to-face and virtual learning options for students.
  • University events will return to normal. Event capacity will be governed by a maximum capacity calculation based on the size of the meeting space and relevant people per square meter rule.
  • Core meeting and research spaces across campus will return to normal with signage and other University resources updated to reflect the new COVID lower risk phase.

Please be mindful of the following to make sure we continue to promote a COVIDSafe environment:

  • Do not come to campus if: you are unwell, have been advised to take a COVID-19 test, are awaiting the results of a test or have been instructed to isolate by New South Wales Health.
  • Maintain good personal hand hygiene practices
  • Maintain 1.5 meter physical distancing where possible and where this is not possible to consider wearing a face mask.
  • Do not exceed capacity restrictions when they are in place for spaces or events.

Thursday 14 January 2021

  • Macquarie University Campus remains open and students are encouraged to return to campus.
  • Face-to-face small group learning activities continue to be taught in a COVIDSafe Environment on campus.
  • Online real-time alternatives (synchronous study) for most small group learning activities will be available.
  • COVIDSafe practices are in place throughout the University ensuring the campus remains safe to attend for all students.
  • If your S3 participation has been affected by recent community transmission, please submit a special consideration form.

Monday 21 December

  • COVID guidance and restrictions have been updated based on the recent outbreak of COVID-19 on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.  Check the NSW Health website for the latest information, guidelines and restrictions.
  • All students living in the Northern Beaches should adhere to the lockdown requirements announced on Saturday 19 December.
  • All campus spaces will continue to be arranged to adhere to NSW Department of Health rules. We continue to ask all staff and students to be vigilant in their adherence to keeping 1.5m from each other and to continue practising good hygiene standards. If you are feeling unwell, stay at home and get tested.
  • As planned, the University will be closed from close of business on Wednesday 23 December 2020, re-opening on Monday 4 January 2021.
  • The COVID Taskforce will be meeting again prior to the University resuming on 4 January 2021 to determine arrangements for resumption of University activities.
  • If your S3 participation has been affected by the recent outbreak, please submit a special consideration form.

Friday 24 July

Stay safe on campus

If you are on campus and need to find somewhere to sit between classes, the attached map shows the study spaces available for S2 2020.

What you need to do:

  • Stay at home if unwell
  • Get tested and stay at home while awaiting your COVID-19 test results - do not attend campus.
  • If you test positive, contact COVIDSafe@mq.edu.au immediately and follow all advice provided by NSW Health and the COVIDSafe Coordinator.
  • Do not return to campus until you are well
  • Practice good hygiene – wash or sanitise your hands regularly and sneeze and cough into your elbow
  • Automatic hand sanitisers will be installed near learning and teaching spaces so you can sanitise before you enter the teaching space. You can use your own sanitiser if you prefer
  • If you can, maintain social distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres from other people
  • If you’re diagnosed with COVID-19 please self-isolate and stay away from campus

Please note that you’re not required to wear a mask when you come on campus. If you want to wear a mask you can, but you’re not required to do so. In specialised learning spaces (labs etc) where physical distancing is not possible, we’ll supply masks for student and staff use.

What we’ll do:

  • As an education provider we’re not required to adhere to the one person per four square metre rule but, where possible, we’ll arrange the furniture in our teaching spaces to accommodate social distancing. We’re also timetabling tutorials, where possible, in bigger spaces to help us to physically distance. Please don’t move any of the furniture in your learning space
  • We’ve installed automatic hand sanitiser dispensers across campus
  • We’ve implemented cleaning measures that support everyone’s safety. For more details on these measures please read our COVIDSafe plan
  • Sanitiser wipes will be available in learning spaces for students and staff to use to wipe their chair/ desk /other equipment
  • Signage will be installed to remind all users of on campus spaces about COVID safe practices.

Stay up to date

If you are studying with us on campus please make sure your Australian home address, and Australian mobile number, are up to date in eStudent and that you’re checking your MQ student email at least once a week.

For more information please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Monday 20 July

  • We’re prepared for the next stage of our return to campus with some students returning Monday 27 July
  • Check your MQ student email for details on how to support your health and safety on campus
  • For more information please read our COVIDSafe-Plan

For more information on our approach to teaching and your return to campus, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Wednesday 8 July

  • On campus option now available for face to face tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities for the majority of units. An online version will continue to be available for students who are not able to attend campus or choose not to come to campus.
  • A small number of units will only have the online option.
  • Session 2 lectures will still be only available online.
  • Class registration for S2 opens 9am AEST Tuesday 14 July (S3 will be made available at a later date).

Thursday 25 June

  • The session 2 timetable will be available on Monday 29 June but you won’t be able to see if your tutorials/seminars/workshops etc will be delivered online or on campus.
  • You can enrol now via eStudent. You just can’t do your class selection (or registration, ie. choose the dates and times for your tutorials/seminars/workshops) until class registration opens on Tuesday 14 July. For more information about how to enrol, visit our website.
  • All Session 2 lectures will be delivered online.
  • Some units involve teaching activities that need to be delivered on campus – check the list here to see if you will be studying a unit with on campus teaching activities.
  • We will decide about returning to on campus teaching for other units before class registration opens on 14 July.

Wednesday 27 May

  • In Session 2 all lectures will be online
  • Units that require face to face teaching will have tutorials/ labs/ teaching activities that will be taught face to face, on campus. For these units it will be compulsory for students to attend the face to face teaching activity on campus. They will not be able to undertake these activities online.
  • Units that DO NOT require face to face teaching will have all teaching activities delivered online for the start of the session.

Tuesday 19 May

  • All session 1 final exams will be delivered online
  • We’re planning the first stage of a return to campus
  • As part of this staged return, and to support the success of students who don’t have access to a computer, the internet or a suitable study space, we will open up a restricted number of on campus study spaces from 25 May. These spaces are being made available only to students who need them.
  • More information about the staged return to campus will be made available soon

Thursday 9 April

  • MQ Student Success Support package announced to help students who are struggling financially as a result of COVID-19.
  • The package features five levels of support as part of our commitment to student success.
  • Options to delay payment or borrow back some of your fees for the current session (including SSAF)
  • Emergency support vouchers of up to $250 for urgent essentials
  • Grants and interest free loans of $2000
  • More flexible payment plans
  • Applications accepted from Tuesday 14 April.
  • University childcare centres remain open to support parents with pre-school aged children.

Wednesday 1 April

  • Census date is Friday 3 April. Student Connect is available to help students confirm their enrolment.
  • Withdrawal without academic penalty and special consideration processes are still in place. Applications will be flexibly assessed to support students as much as possible.
  • Grading systems and WAMs are unchanged.
  • Fail grades will not be recorded in this session. This supports students to adjust to online learning.
  • Students can apply for a loan through the COVID-19 Financial Assistance program. This streamlined application can be accessed in conjunction with other grants and loans. The University has increased funding to support this program.
  • Students can book a check-in with a Student Wellbeing Adviser to get support specific to their circumstances.
  • Parking fees have been suspended until 30 June 2020 for students and staff. Those who have pre-paid for parking will receive a 3-month credit in the next calendar year.
  • Students should update contact details in eStudent as it is essential to stay connected.

Friday 27 March

  • All coursework students are advised not to come to campus from Monday 30 March.
  • Building access by swipe card only from 5pm on Friday 27 March.
  • Lectures and services will be delivered by staff remotely.  Only a small number of essential staff will work on campus.
  • The IT Service Desk is fully operational.  Seek assistance online or call + 61 2 9850 4357.
  • Student Connect is fully operational.  Raise an AskMQ enquiry, chat online or call + 61 2 9850 6410
  • Campus Security is fully operational.  Seek assistance online or call + 61 2 9850 7112.  In an emergency call +61 2 9850 9999.
  • The MQ Health GP Clinic is the correct place to visit if you are resident on or near campus and feeling unwell.  Call ahead on +61 2 9812 3944.

Wednesday 25 March

  • Check the Session 1 Unit Delivery website to see how specific units will be delivered for the remainder of Session 1 2020.
  • Check iLearn for up-to-date unit information – revised assessments and due dates, modifications to comply with COVID-19 advice and restrictions, and delayed components.
  • You can add an approved alternative online unit up until Sunday 29 March.
  • You can withdraw from a unit up until Teaching Census Date of Friday 3 April
  • Login to eStudent to check your enrolment.  Make sure you are enrolled in the correct units, however you don't need to change your attendance mode.
  • If you need advice about your enrolment, contact Student Connect via ask.mq.edu.au or +61 2 9850 6410 or chat.
  • In line with Government advice to increase social distancing, the University Library building will be physically closed from 10pm on Wednesday 25 March.  The Library remains fully accessible online.
  • Additional facility closures include the Art Gallery, museums and Prayer Room – also from 10pm on Wednesday 25 March.  All sporting events held at Macquarie University facilities are cancelled.
  • The remainder of the University campus is open, including Macquarie University Hospital.  Students and staff are encouraged to remain at home unless you must physically be on campus.
  • In addition to teaching, all student services are transitioning to online and remote delivery to comply with updated advice from the Australian Government.  The University remains fully operational to support students.
  • If you need advice or support, the first point of contact is Student Connect via chat, AskMQ or +61 2 9850 6410.

Monday 23 March

  • Teaching resumes on Monday 30 March 2020 at Week 4 of the session.
  • Updated unit information will be available in iLearn from Wednesday 25 March.  This will include relevant details of revised assessments and due dates, modifications to comply with COVID-19 advice and restrictions, and delayed components.
  • All University International and domestic travel and non-essential University events has been banned prior to 2 May.
  • Non-essential businesses, including Macquarie University Sports and Aquatic Centre and UBar, Staff Café, Crunch café and Piccolo Lane have closed. Other campus retail outlets will only provide a takeaway service.

Tuesday 17 March

  • All coursework teaching is paused until Friday 27 March (with minor exceptions) and this will serve as the mid-session break.
  • Teaching will resume Monday 30 March with as many units taught online as feasible or with appropriate social distancing measures in place.
  • The break previously scheduled for 13 April - 26 April will now be part of the normal study period.  April 13 remains a public holiday.
  • April graduation ceremonies are cancelled. Students will be invited to a ceremony at a later date to celebrate and acknowledge their achievement. Graduates should ensure their contact details are up to date in eStudent. Any paid graduation fees will be refunded.
  • All non-essential University events scheduled to be held between 23 March to 18 April, including those with less than 100 attendees, will be postponed or cancelled.

Support services

Find out about how you can get help and who to contact.

I need support to get through this situation.  Who should I talk to?

Students can now book a check-in with a Student Wellbeing Adviser. This is the best way to get advice that is most relevant and appropriate for your personal circumstances.  Let us know what’s happening for you and we will call you back.

I am feeling anxious and worried. How do I access support?

Student Wellbeing provides support if you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Phone +61 2 9850 7497 or email wellbeing@mq.edu.au.

Outside business hours, please call 1800 227 367 (1800 CARE MQ). Phone and online appointments are available.

Are student support services still available?

Yes.  The University remains open and staff are available and working to support students.

Should I still come to campus for a booked appointment?

Appointments have resumed on campus however you can contact the relevant person/support area to discuss this consultation if you require alternate appointment options, eg online (Zoom) or by phone.

How do I contact the University?

The University is open and staff are available to support students.

If you need advice or support, the first point of contact is Student Connect via chat, AskMQ or +61 2 9850 6410.

Details for other services are available on the website or in the Student Essentials Diary.

I am awaiting an outcome of an application/enquiry will this still be processed?

Yes. The University is open and staff are available to support students.

I am registered with Accessibility. How will I be supported to study online?

The Accessibility team are here to support registered students with their learning needs. Contact them via wellbeing@mq.edu.au for assistance.

What student support is available?

There are many student support services available to assist with your online learning skills.  You can find out more about these services on our Study support page.

How will I hand in my assignments?

The Accessibility team will support registered students with their learning needs. Contact them via wellbeing@mq.edu.au for assistance.

Please check to see the operating times and conditions for your Faculty Student Centre.

Contact Student Connect

Got questions? Contact Student Connect via one of the following methods:

  • Chat, found in the far-right corner of this page during business hours.
  • Submit an online equiry via AskMQ
  • Phone on +61 (2) 9850 6410
  • In person at Level 2 MUSE, 18 Wally's Walk (not available at this time)

Business Hours:  9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday to Friday