Learn about our vaccination requirements and COVIDSafe protocols for Semester 2.
Through the COVID-19 pandemic, RMIT has closely aligned with government advice on how to protect the health of our community. When vaccination requirements for our students and staff were introduced in November 2021, we were guided by government requirements at the time and a strong desire to protect the health and safety of our University community.
We’ve now reassessed our environment, factoring in the Victorian Government’s relaxation of the state’s COVID restrictions and the high vaccination rates for students and staff.
We can now provide clarity for Semester 2, with a few sensible changes to our approach.
From Monday 4 July, staff, students and visitors will no longer be required to be vaccinated to attend any RMIT campus or facility.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others from severe illness due to COVID-19. We strongly encourage our staff and students to vaccinate against COVID-19 and will continue to make it easy for you to do so.
There is strong support for many of the other COVIDSafe protocols on campus and most of these will remain, including:
All students must have an RMIT student card and have completed the COVIDSafe 2022 Training Module before attending campus. For more information or to complete these steps, go to Coming to campus – COVID protocols for students.
Retaining swipe card access to all buildings and strongly encouraging everyone to join the RMIT WiFi network when on campus to aid contact tracing.
Requirement to wear masks in selected specialist teaching spaces and where close or physical contact is unavoidable.
Managing all positive cases on campus through the RMIT Public Health team – including contact tracing and communications – to ensure we manage the risk of exposure as effectively as possible.
Making free face masks and Rapid Antigen Tests more readily available for students and staff. See our Frequently Asked Questions below for more information.
High-quality air ventilation, sanitising and cleaning aids, and frequent professional cleaning of high-touch areas.
Please note: Students attending Work Integrated Learning placements will need to comply with the requirements of their host, which may include masks or vaccination requirements.
We understand that for some students, the change to campus vaccination requirements may cause some anxiety, however we believe that the safety measures we will have in place will help protect our community.
We’re also aware that everyone responds to change and the challenges posed by COVID-19 in different ways.
If you have any concerns, please reach out to your Course Coordinator or contact Student Connect.
If you are struggling with your mental health, all RMIT students, inside Australia and overseas, can access 24/7 urgent mental health support. You can also book an appointment through the RMIT Counselling Service or find mental health resources via Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
If you have personal circumstances which would affect your ability to attend campus (e.g. a medical condition or caring responsibilities) please contact Student Connect to discuss your study options.
If alternative activities or courses are available that do not require on campus activity, and will allow program progression, then students will be directed towards those options.
If no alternative activities or courses are available, students will be directed towards:
Alternative program options which do not require on campus activities; and/or
Alternative providers who may recognise their study to date as prior learning.
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about our Semester 2 requirements.
Read our COVID statement for the latest update on RMIT’s response.
Students attending campus can find detailed information about what safety protocols they must complete before coming to campus on the Coming to campus – COVID protocols for students page.
Students, if you can't find the answer you're looking for here, you can contact us for more information.
Through our COVIDSafe Plan, we have a number of different safety measures and protocols in place to protect the health and safety of everyone on campus and to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Students attending campus can find detailed information about what safety protocols they must complete before coming to campus – on the Coming to campus – COVID protocols for students page.
For on-campus safety requirements, see How’re we’re keeping campuses safe.
Students attending campus can find detailed information about what safety protocols they must complete before coming to campus on the Coming to campus – COVID protocols for students page.
For on-campus safety requirements, see How’re we’re keeping campuses safe.
Swipe card data is an important contact tracing tool which allows our Public Health Team to know who has been on site, and where, should we need to notify you that you have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 on campus.
All students are required to scan their student cards at a campus access point each day. Access points are located at the main entrances to most RMIT buildings and you must scan your card to enter. Please do not tailgate or open doors for others.
You must carry your student card at all times on campus. If you forget your swipe card, please visit Student Connect. If you don't have a card, find out how to get a new or replacement student card.
If you are feeling unwell, DO NOT attend class or campus – instead, stay home, seek medical advice and consider getting a COVID-19 test. COVID-19 symptoms are listed on the Victoria Government website
If you start to feel unwell while on campus, free Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are available at Student Connect. Please ensure you wear a mask when collecting a RAT. You should reach out to your Course Coordinator or Student Connect if you are concerned your studies might be affected by not attending campus.
From Monday 4 July, students, staff and visitors will no longer be required to be vaccinated to attend any RMIT campus or facility.
There are some circumstances where staff and students are still required to be vaccinated due to the nature and location of the work or study – e.g. health settings. Please contact your Course Coordinator if you have any questions.
With high vaccination rates among our staff and student population, our ability to manage cases of COVID-19 on campus via the RMIT Public Health Team, and a range of appropriate safety measures in place, we’re safely remove our vaccination requirements for students, staff and visitors attending RMIT campuses from 4 July 2022.
Please visit How we’re keeping our campuses safe to learn more.
If you have any concerns about your individual situation, please reach out to Student Connect.
We’re aware that everyone responds to change and the challenges posed by COVID-19 in different ways.
If you are struggling with your mental health, all RMIT students, inside Australia and overseas, can access 24/7 urgent mental health support. You can also book an appointment through the RMIT Counselling Service or find mental health resources via Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
If you have any concerns about your individual situation, please reach out your School or College via RMIT Student Connect to talk about your options.
If alternative activities or courses are available that do not require on campus activity, and will allow program progression, then students will be directed towards those options.
If no alternative activities or courses are available, students will be directed towards:
Free COVID and influenza vaccinations are available for students through the onsite Medical Hub at the City campus. Vaccinations are free and the Medical Hub offers bulk billed appointments for eligible students. Visit Medical Hub@RMIT for more information.
COVID vaccinations are also available at many General Practitioners (GPs) or pharmacies across Victoria. Visit the Victorian Government website for more information.
Absolutely. While there is no government mask mandate in place, we support students and staff wearing a mask when indoors or in higher-risk settings.
We recommend you continue to carry a mask at all times and wear one when you can’t physically distance.
In most instances, wearing a mask is a personal choice, and we ask that everyone be respectful and supportive of those who do and those who chose not to wear a mask.
We are making free masks readily available to all students who want to wear one. We have both KN95 and surgical masks available at Student Connect locations at our campuses.
Student Connect locations:
There are certain higher-risk settings which will require students and staff to wear masks.
RMIT requires that masks are still worn during activities where there is physical contact between people. This includes some nursing and allied health classes and consultations at the Bundoora Health Clinic and the City Myotherapy Clinic.
This is a condition of the class and is a mandatory requirement.
Masks are also required in certain specialist teaching spaces.
If a student refuses to wear a mask, this is failing to adhere to a COVIDSafe protocols and there may be serious consequences.
WIL students in clinical settings will still need to follow the mask requirements of their placement provider and clinical workplace settings.
Where a mask is required to be worn, you must wear it correctly and in accordance with current Victorian Government advice.
Free RATs are available at Student Connect locations for students who find out they are a contact of a positive case of COVID while on campus.
You can also collect a RAT if you begin to feel unwell on campus.
Please ensure you wear a mask when collecting a RAT.
Student Connect locations:
Acknowledgement of country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.