Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We are continuing to follow the advice of relevant health authorities and are working hard to keep our students and staff informed and updated so they can continue to take relevant precautions as things evolve.

Across our campuses, we are monitoring the operation of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems in all buildings to increase the flow of fresh air and assist with the removal of airborne pollutants.

We have also increased the frequency of cleaning, specifically sanitised cleaning, in highly trafficked and communal areas and are working to distribute hand sanitiser to as many locations as possible.

We will continue these precautionary measures as long as required to help support the health and safety of our community.

As advised in the latest guidelines from the Australian Government Department of Health, washing hands often with soap and water is the best defence against the spread of most viruses.

For more information about handwashing hygiene, see this video from the World Health Organisation.

Face masks are not currently recommended for use by healthy members of the public for the prevention of infections like novel coronavirus.

Watch the video below to find out how RMIT is supporting our community

We understand this might be a difficult time and our Student Support team is ready to help. Please fill out the details here and we will contact you to provide support tailored to your needs.

You can also contact us via the coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDT).

The Chinese community in Victoria can access information on coronavirus and international students with further questions can also contact a dedicated Victorian Government email and hotline: international.students@dese.gov.au or 1300 981 621 (8am to 8pm AEDST Monday to Friday).

If you have been in direct, extended contact with people who have travelled through Hubei Province, we ask that you please contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST) to discuss your personal circumstances before coming to campus.

Coronavirus symptoms include feeling sick with a fever, cough or sore throat. If you have these symptoms, we recommend you seek medical advice. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has set up a dedicated hotline for those who suspect they may have the novel coronavirus: 1800 675 398.    

The Chinese community in Victoria can also access information on coronavirus.

Our website will continue to be updated so keep an eye on it. 

We are taking advice from the relevant authorities, including the Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Smart Traveller and the World Health Organisation and we recommend students follow these authoritative sources to remain informed with the most up-to-date advice.

The Chinese community in Victoria can also access information on coronavirus.

International students with further questions can also contact a dedicated Victorian Government email and hotline: international.students@dese.gov.au or 1300 981 621 (8am to 8pm AEDST Monday to Friday)

Medibank

Medical assistance from a registered nurse or counsellor is also available to all RMIT international students via Medibank’s 24/7 Health Helpline. Students do not need a Medibank membership number to access this, they just need to identify themselves as a RMIT International student. Interpreters are also available.

Call from within Australia: 1800 887 283.

Call from outside Australia: + 61 2 89050307

We care deeply for the RMIT community and supporting everyone who has been impacted by this evolving situation. We’re in discussion with the relevant authorities and regulators to develop solutions to reduce any disruptions to students’ studies and are regularly updating information on our student site.

If you cannot attend campus and are worried you will be delayed in commencing your studies, please contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST) to discuss your personal circumstances.

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes.

With an extension to travel restrictions announced (13 February), we will continue to respond and determine alternative options for impacted students where we can.

We will continue to reach out to students directly with relevant information as we have it.

As this is an evolving situation, we recommend waiting until closer to census date before changing your enrolment status. Go to Enrolment Online to check the census date for your individual program. 

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes. 

With an extension to travel restrictions announced (13 February), we will continue to respond and determine alternative options for impacted students where we can.

We will continue to reach out to students directly with relevant information as we have it.    

As this is an evolving situation, we recommend waiting until closer to census date before changing your enrolment status. Go to Enrolment Online to check the census date for your individual program.

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes. These options will be shared with relevant students as soon as possible.

If you are an international student and are unable to travel to start your studies with us on time, you can liaise with the RMIT International Admissions team to arrange deferral from your study. To follow the steps for deferral or to contact RMIT International Admissions, please visit Defer your Offer for International Students.

If you are a local student*, have not yet enrolled and are unable to travel in order to start your studies with us on time, please follow the deferral process.

*Please note, RMIT considers you to be a local student if you are: a citizen or permanent resident of Australia; a New Zealand citizen; or a Temporary Protection visa (TPV) holder.

As this is an evolving situation, we recommend waiting until closer to census date before changing your enrolment status. Go to Enrolment Online to check the census date for your individual program.

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes. These options will be shared with relevant students as soon as possible.

If you are an international student and are unable to travel to start your studies with us on time, you can liaise with the RMIT International Admissions team to arrange deferral from your study. To follow the steps for deferral or to contact RMIT International Admissions, please visit Defer your Offer for International Students.

If you are a local student*, have not yet enrolled and are unable to travel in order to start your studies with us on time, please follow the deferral process.

*Please note, RMIT considers you to be a local student if you are: a citizen or permanent resident of Australia; a New Zealand citizen; or a Temporary Protection visa (TPV) holder.

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes.

With an extension to travel restrictions announced (13 February), we will continue to respond and determine alternative options for impacted students where we can.

We will continue to reach out to students directly with relevant information as we have it.    

If you have completed your enrolment and you are not impacted by the recent coronavirus restrictions, you can attend your classes at the time they are scheduled to commence. No further action is required. Find your class times and locations via myTimetable.

For those that are impacted by coronavirus delays, we have made special arrangements to ensure you can get started before you get here. Commencement dates will vary depending on the program, so please refer to the email you received from RMIT with commencement dates that are specific to you. If you can’t find your email, please refer to the table below.

If you did not receive an email from us, please contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST).

We understand you may be delayed in returning to campus, so we have made arrangements to ensure you can get started. 

We have adapted the way you can access your course material, so there’s no need for you to be on campus until 2 March 2020. For the Diploma of Commerce (DP003), you don’t need to be on campus until 23 March. This does mean you will have some catch up when you get here, but you won’t be disadvantaged. 

To begin, check the email you received from RMIT, with detailed instructions about how you can start your studies.

If you did not receive an email from us, please contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST).

If you’re not able to make it to RMIT by the dates noted above, we will continue to adapt to ensure you have options to continue your study.

We understand you may be delayed in returning to campus, so we have made arrangements to ensure you can get started. 

We have adapted the way you can access your course material, so there’s no need for you to be on campus until 2 March 2020. For Associate Degree in Business (AD010) and Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) (AD015), you don’t need to be on campus until 23 March 2020. This does mean you will have some catch up when you get here, but you won’t be disadvantaged.

To begin, check the email you received from RMIT, with detailed instructions about how you can start your studies.

If you did not receive an email from us, please contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST).

If you’re not able to make it to RMIT by the dates noted above, we will continue to adapt to ensure you have options to continue your study.

We understand you may be delayed in returning to campus, so we have made arrangements to ensure you can get started. 

We have adapted the way you can access your course material, so there’s no need for you to be on campus until 23 March 2020. This advice also applies to Associate Degree programs AD010 and AD015, and the Diploma of Commerce (DP003). This does mean you will have some catch up when you get here, but you won’t be disadvantaged. 

To begin, check the email you received from RMIT, with detailed instructions about how you can start your studies.

If you did not receive an email from us, please contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST).

If you’re not able to make it to RMIT by 23 March, we will continue to adapt to ensure you have options to continue your study.

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. We are reaching out to students directly with relevant information as we have it.

New HDR candidates

As this is an evolving situation, we recommend you defer your start date. We will ensure that you can access orientation support when you begin your candidature.

You can defer your start date via your offer letter: follow the links and select “respond to offer”, then select “defer”. Or, if you have already received an RMIT login, you can contact us through the coronavirus enquiry form and we will change your start date for you.

If you have any questions, you can also contact the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST).

Current HDR candidates

As this is an evolving situation, we recommend applying for a Leave of Absence or extending your current Leave of Absence. For help, contact us using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST).

We understand that you may be concerned about delays or impacts to your studies. There is no academic penalty for missing orientation and you can access the New Students Guide online to get the information you need to settle in at RMIT.

At this point in time, classes will commence as planned when semester begins, however we will continue to make decisions based on expert advice and communicate to students as circumstances change regarding flexible study options.

We’re working on solutions that will allow students to commence as quickly as possible and not be disadvantaged. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes.

With an extension to travel restrictions announced (13 February), we will continue to respond and determine alternative options for impacted students where we can.

We will continue to reach out to students directly with relevant information as we have it.

We are working to create as many flexible ways of accessing courses as possible for those unable to make classes in person. These may include delayed start date, intensive learning, online delivery or catch-up classes. These options will be shared with relevant students as soon as possible.

If you have a delayed start to your semester, you may apply for special consideration.

RMIT cannot advise on an individual’s visa situation or provide any immigration advice.

You can get advice from:

●       the Department of Home Affairs, or

●       an Education Agent, Migration Agent, or Lawyer who is registered by the Migration Agent Registration Authority (MARA)

The RMIT Student Legal Service is run by qualified lawyers who can provide advice and information to students on a range of legal issues. For advice on your rights and responsibilities around rental accommodation agreements, contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDT).

International students with further questions can also contact a dedicated Victorian Government email and hotline: international.students@dese.gov.au or 1300 981 621 (8am to 8pm AEDST Monday to Friday)

Exams will be held as planned in February and March. If you are feeling stressed or anxious you can access our free support services directly via RMIT Connect on +61 3 9925 5000. To see our full range of services, visit the student support page.

If you have concerns specifically related to coronavirus, contact RMIT Connect using the online coronavirus enquiry form (login required) or the RMIT coronavirus hotline on +61 3 9925 5005 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm AEDST) to discuss your personal circumstances.

If you are feeling stressed and anxious, there are many ways we can support you. You can contact RMIT Connect on +61 3 9925 5000 who are here to support students. To see our full range of services, visit the student support page.

The Chinese community in Victoria can also access information on coronavirus.

International students with further questions can also contact a dedicated Victorian Government email and hotline:  international.students@dese.gov.au or 1300 981 621 (8am to 8pm AEDST Monday to Friday).