Students and parents - COVID-19 advice

Content is available online in an easy-to-access format via your course Blackboard site. Over 1,300 of our courses are available to access online and assessments have been altered so that there is no requirement to attend the campus to participate in Semester 1 examinations.  You can check your Electronic Course Profile for more information.

If you are currently enrolled in an internal course at UQ, there will be no change to your course codes at all. You can access your learning, support and online community activities through my.UQ.

There is more information and support for managing your study online here.

If you have trouble accessing your username and password to log into UQ systems, please contact IT services.

Course Coordinators are reviewing all assessment for courses offered in Semester 2 to ensure that it is suitable for online and/or in-person study modes. Blackboard sites and the Electronic Course Profiles (ECP) will be updated in due course.

If you are unsure and have concerns about an upcoming Semester 1 exam or deadline please contact your Course Coordinator.

While all teaching moved online for Semester 1, our campuses remain open to facilitate a range of activities that can still occur within the boundaries of current physical distancing and public gathering guidelines. UQ is following government advice on what facilities can and cannot remain operational, and these may change as the advice changes. We will continue to update this page with information as it becomes available.

What facilities are open:

Some essential retail services are still open, but customers must practice social distancing. All restaurants/cafes can only serve takeaway items, and customers must practise social distancing when ordering – order online where possible. Customers may not dine in these spaces. Find a full list here.

UQ Art Museum is open for research and curriculum purposes, by appointment. Find more information here.

In the interests of physical distancing and reducing the transmission of COVID-19, we will be closing some library locations and services from Thursday 26 March until further notice. Some 24/7 study spaces will be available (UQ ID card required). You must practise physical distancing in libraries. View the current opening hours for our locations. You can also access training online and our librarians are offering consultations via Zoom.

Access to important services such as mental health support, the Student Centre and UQ Health continues. The majority of these services are now only available online. Please refer to the links provided for information on how to access these services.

What facilities are closed:

The Australian Government has recently commenced easing of restrictions on registered and licensed pubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, parks and outdoor recreational areas.

In response to these announcements, you can find the full list of available UQ facilities here. This will be updated regularly based on Government advice.

UQ Sport venues across both the St Lucia and Gatton campuses – including fields, courts and Aquatic Centres – remain closed until further notice. The resumption of UQ Sport operations, in response to recently announced frameworks for easing COVID-19 restrictions, will be carefully staged and gradual. . Find a full list of UQ Sport closures here.

Please, if you need to self-isolate, you must do so. If you are still unsure as to what self-isolation means and how to put it into practice, please refer to Government advice.

For students who are due to graduate in July or December, your award will still be conferred and your official documents forwarded to your home address. We hope to be able to proceed with formal Graduation Ceremonies in early 2021 providing you and your family an opportunity to celebrate your achievements.

More information about Semester 2 course modes and availability will be communicated soon. If after reading this information you are concerned about your course availability in Semester 2, and any potential impacts this may have to your program of study, please contact your Course Coordinator or Student Services for further advice or assistance with identifying alternative courses.

We are currently working on a plan to safely re-introduce on-campus activities during Semester 2 in line with the Federal and State Government roadmaps to easing restrictions over the coming weeks and months. Practical learning activities, such as labs, will be prioritised for in-person delivery, where possible. Some essential knowledge and skills cannot be learnt online, and programs will be adjusted to ensure you gain these prior to graduation.

More information about Semester 2 course modes and availability will be communicated soon. If after reading this information you are concerned about your course availability in Semester 2, and any potential impacts this may have to your program of study, please contact your Course Coordinator or Student Services for further advice or assistance with identifying alternative courses.

At this time UQ is continuing to support our students progress with their studies and placement activities (including credit bearing field trips) where possible.

The health and safety of our students and the staff of our partner organisations is of paramount importance, therefore placements can continue where it is safe to do so and where organisations are able to continue to facilitate this engagement.

UQ does not have travel insurance coverage for any claims relating to COVID-19 for domestic travel that has been booked after 4pm (AEDT) on 2 March 2020. Travel insurance cover will still apply for claims with different causes (subject to full policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations).  UQ’s public liability and professional insurances will also continue to apply. For more information on travel and insurance refer to UQ Travel FAQs.

We recommend you contact your Faculty for further advice regarding the status of your placements.

The library can assist students with IT issues online or by phone, including help with student passwords and issues accessing UQ systems and resources. Students can contact the library’s AskUs service online.

Please check the COVID-19 (coronavirus) library services page to get current information about our service hours and resources available.

The library's print/physical collections are closed from Thursday 26 March 2020 until further notice. However online resources are still available.

Please check the COVID-19 (coronavirus) library services page to get current information about the opening hours for our locations and study spaces.

If you do not have a computer or laptop you can use for studying from home, you may be able to borrow one from us. We have a limited number of laptops available to students for loan. These will be distributed on a case-by-case basis until further notice.

Please check the COVID-19 (coronavirus) library services page​for current information on the laptops for loan scheme.

The University is aware that access to its systems from outside of Australia can be slow. To address this we are reviewing learning content for faster delivery. Please take steps to ensure that you have the best possible Internet connection.

If you are accessing from China, UQ has worked with a company based in China to boost your access through the UQ VPN. You can find out more information here.

If you continue to have an issue accessing course content we recommend you contact your Course Coordinator to find an alternative to get it to you. You are also able to contact UQ IT Support for further help accessing UQ websites and resources.

We are currently working on a plan to safely re-introduce on-campus activities during Semester 2 in line with the Federal and State Government roadmaps to easing restrictions over the coming weeks and months. The campus will remain open for students to access study spaces, subject to current government restrictions. 

Teaching will be available online for the duration of Semester 2 for the majority of courses, regardless of your location, and supplemented with on-campus activities should Government restrictions allow. You will be advised of the options available as they apply to your program or course closer to commencement of the semester.

Should on-campus activities be offered for your course(s) but you are unable to attend due to Government restrictions, all learning materials, including session recordings where available, will be accessible online. We are committed to ensuring that learning outcomes for students who are unable to attend on-campus activities will not be compromised. All courses that are offered for Semester 2, except for those that require attendance at in-person learning activities, will be adapted for online delivery, including all related assessment.

You can start your study with UQ online in Semester 2. If the Government travel restrictions are lifted, students can travel to Australia when they have successfully obtained a student visa. You will be able to continue your studies online until the travel restrictions are lifted.

When you accept your offer for Semester 2, you will be invoiced for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) together with your deposit. If you do not wish to arrange your OSHC at the time of accepting your offer, you need to notify us and we will issue you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) with a comment reminding you that you are fully responsible for organising OSHC for the length of your student visa.

The travel restrictions are being reviewed constantly. Please continue to check the Department of Home Affairs.

The University is unable to provide advice on visas. We recommend you contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Once you have recovered all possible expenses from your airline, travel agent, accommodation and other providers, please submit a travel insurance claim for any remaining out of pocket expenses.

Please refer to the Travel FAQs for further details regarding the circumstances in which a claim is likely to be accepted by UQ's travel insurer.

Claims will be assessed by UQ's Travel Insurer on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations. Cover for cancellations will only be available where cancellation was necessary for reasons other than the UQ-imposed travel restriction. The UQ travel and insurance teams, and Campus Travel, are currently receiving a significant number of enquiries, so please be patient.

Find out more about submitting an insurance claim.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact our student advisers to explore options for financial assistance.

If you are overseas looking to return home to Australia as soon as possible, based on Government advice, costs associated with early return to Australia will not necessarily be covered by UQ's travel insurance.

In line with the Government's worldwide travel advice rating being raised to Level 4 (Do Not Travel) on 18 March 2020, cover for cancellation is likely to be available for UQ approved international travel arrangements to locations where certain criteria are met.

For updated information and criteria for UQ Travel Insurance, please visit the Travel Insurance FAQs.

According to the Queensland Government Border restrictions direction, a person can seek an exemption to the restriction if they are moving to Queensland to make Queensland their principal place of residence. Under this direction, these people must still self-quarantine upon arrival in Queensland.

No. Vaccines for the flu do not protect against the new coronavirus.  The virus is so new that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are currently working to develop a vaccine against COVID-19.

However, a yearly influenza vaccination is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of getting flu by building immunity to the virus, and preventing transmission of the virus to other people.  Vaccination usually takes up to 2 weeks to be effective and most cases of flu usually occur between May and October. Flu vaccinations are   available through UQ Health Care at St Lucia and Gatton campuses. Influenza vaccines are also available through community pharmacies and GPs.

No. You must not attend campus or visit any UQ facility while waiting for COVID-19 test results.  You are  required to self-isolate at home while you wait for test results which may take from one to several days. The people you live with and other close contacts do not need to self-isolate unless advised otherwise from the Public Health unit.

If the result is positive, you will receive a call from a public health doctor or nurse who will tell you what to do next.  You will need to stay at home in self-isolation until you recover. You will be monitored by Queensland Public Health.

If the result is negative, your doctor or the clinic that tested you will let you know.  You may return to work unless you are unwell for other reasons.

Whilst there is still little data regarding the specific effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (RANZCOG) make the recommendation that, “where possible, pregnant health care workers be allocated to patients, and duties, that have reduced exposure to patients with, or suspected to have, COVID-19 infection”.  Further information is available here.  

Students can contact Student Services if they have questions. The Student Services team will continue to monitor the situation and give further advice to students who may be concerned.

• Student Services: + 61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free (within Australia): 1800 512 391.
• Email: student.services@uq.edu.au   

If you have been advised to self-isolate, please follow all advice from Queensland Health. Some helpful information is listed on their webpage and in factsheets.

If you require medical advice or assistance, you can contact:
- Your regular doctor
- UQ Health Care
- 13HEALTH (Queensland only - 13 43 25 84)
- Australian Government Department of Health (1800 020 103)
- Dial 000 in case of emergency

If arranging a medical appointment, current health advice is to phone your health service prior to attending the clinic, explaining your symptoms and any recent travel history so that appropriate precautionary measures can be taken, particularly if you are exhibiting symptoms.

If your studies are impacted, use the Electronic Course Profile for your course to assess any upcoming assessment or attendance guidelines. Contact your tutors, course coordinator or Faculty/School to arrange for any alternate learning materials and arrangements if needed. Most lectures are available online for you to watch. If there is further impact, you require any assistance or have any other general welfare or health concerns you can access UQ Student Services support. 

If you are in need of general assistance you can contact the UQ Coronavirus Contact Centre Team on 1800 512 391 or student.services@uq.edu.au.

If you are experiencing difficulty accessing basic essentials and groceries, please visit UQLife’s food and groceries page for some options available to you.

There are also many meal services still running and providing both ingredients-for and pre-made meals, as well as take-away food delivery still active.​ 

UQ has Student Advisers that can assist you with your specific concerns, provide support and offer any support you may need. You can book an appointment through StudentHub and appointments can be conducted via phone, Zoom and Skype.

Further support and information on COVID-19 is available on the following websites:

• my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/student-support/
• qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19
• health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov

You will need to check with your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provider as to what is covered. If the University arranged your OSHC, your OSHC provider is Allianz.

To protect the wellbeing and privacy of any staff member or student who may be being tested, or has been confirmed COVID-19 positive, the University will not release personal details of every case. However, we are very fortunate in Queensland to have a robust healthcare system that is set-up to respond to the COVID-19 situation.

The Queensland Health Public Health Unit (QPHU) undertake contact tracing and they determine the actions required by the University. 

QPHU determine the risk to others based on information provided by the patient and information from UQ’s systems including rooms (capacity and location), class lists and teaching staff and contact details.

QPHU assess this information and determine who should be contacted. QPHU initiate and control contact tracing, if the University is to play a part in this or if further information is required, QPHU will advise us. It is not UQ's role to advise QPHU who has been in contact with a positive person – the medical professionals know what situations are likely to aid transmission and therefore these decisions are left to medical professionals with expertise in this area.

Any staff or student feeling unwell should contact their doctor or UQ Health Care or for health advice over the phone, call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84 - Queensland only) or the Australian Government Department of Health (1800 020 103).

• Students can call, live chat or email Student Services: + 61 (07) 3365 1704 or toll free (within Australia): 1800 512 391, or email: student.services@uq.edu.au.
• Students can contact Student Services and make an appointment to speak to a counsellor.
• Students can make friends and connect with other peers via the UQ Mates Virtual Village.
• ‘Coffee catch-up’ is a live group video where they can get updates on what’s happening around UQ virtually alongside other students.
• We also encourage students to engage with the services and information provided by our partners at Study Brisbane and Study Queensland #InThisTogether

• If your child has been studying in Australia for more than 12 months, and find they are in financial hardship, they will be able to access their Australian superannuation. Apply at the myGov website from April 20.
• The Australian Government has temporarily extended limits to working hours for international students in supermarkets, aged care and nursing. There may be other industries that will need extra workers and your child would be making a valuable contribution by working in these sectors at this time.

Payment plans are available for tuition fees, email student.services@uq.edu.au to discuss your options. Students can spread the payments that are due now until the end of May.

• Students can order a Grocery Hamper and have basic groceries and supplies delivered to them if they do not want to leave the house at this time.
• If they are scared, they should speak to a counsellor with Student Services on how to cope in this time.
• There are a number of weekly or daily delivery options for pre-prepared food. These have been designed for our students and can be accessed here. 
• Essential outings such as grocery shopping are permitted and social distancing measures are now clearly signed in all supermarkets. They should remember to wash their hands after handling groceries or when they return home.

• UQ’s accommodation team can assist them in finding a new place to live. Our preferred suppliers are considering relaxing bonds and deposits to assist students as they wait for refunds from their current providers.
• The Australian Government has frozen all evictions for six months from the 29^th of March 2020. If your child was to be evicted from a private rental property, we would encourage them to contact QSTARS or the Rental Tenancies Authority (RTA) for advice and assistance.
• QSTARS is a free independent advice and referral service for all Queensland renters, especially in relation to early terminations or evictions. Phone: 1300 744 263
• Rental Tenancies Authority (RTA) is a state government organisation that provides a range of resources to assist tenants. They can call 1300 366 311.

• If you are worried that your child is sad or depressed encourage them to speak to a counsellor with Student Services on how to cope in this time.
• It is also very important to stay in touch with friends and family. UQ provides opportunities for students to make friends and connect with other peers via the UQ Mates Virtual Village.

• Australia has one of the best medical systems in the world. If your child was to fall ill they would never be turned away, and they would be well cared for.
• They can call the National Coronavirus Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
• Respiratory clinics are being rolled out across the country to assess people with coronavirus symptoms so they go to these clinics and not the general doctor’s clinic. This way you should not be worried if they need to see a doctor for another reason.
• We encourage you to regularly check the Australian Government coronavirus COVID-19 health alert for up-to-date advice on what to do.

If you are applying to commence an undergraduate program in Semester 2 at UQ, we may be able to accept alternative evidence of your high school results. These include:

• If you are studying GCE A Levels, your school may be able to provide predicted grades. You will still need to meet the program minimum entry score equivalent for GCE A Levels.
• Adjusted test results and grades from testing centres that UQ recognises, such as Advanced Placements (APs) and Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs).
• The grades and recommendations from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
• The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER)’s Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) online multiple choice exam to meet Maths A and English subject pre-requisites, as well as, minimum English language proficiency requirements (unless your UQ program requirements exclude these).

Due to the impacts that COVID-19 is having on education institutions globally, UQ will temporarily offer a conditional Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when students can demonstrate that they have met the entry requirements, however, due to circumstances beyond their control, are unable to provide the official certified documentation in time for commencement of Semester 2.

If you meet the entry requirements for your program and have been issued with a conditional CoE, this means you will be able to start your program at UQ on a provisional basis. To satisfy the conditions of your conditional CoE, you must provide us with all outstanding official documents that have been certified before the end of classes in Semester 2, 2020. Otherwise, you are at risk of having your CoE cancelled.

Yes. If you have completed one year of tertiary study but do not have the results, we will assess you either on your high school results (if equivalent to Australian Year 12) or the first 6 months of your tertiary study.

UQ recognises the disruption that COVID-19 has had on university academic calendars and will accept your unofficial marksheet or transcript for entry into semester 2 2020.

If your marksheet or transcript is not available in English, we will accept documents that have been translated by a UQ approved agent.

If you meet the entry requirements for your program, you will be issued with a conditional Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This enables you to start your program at UQ on a provisional basis and provide us with the official certified documents before the end of classes in Semester 2, 2020. You must provide all outstanding documents and show that you have met the program entry requirements, otherwise you are at risk of having your CoE cancelled.

Yes. You can provide an unofficial or online transcript for your final university semester studies. We will assess whether you meet the entry requirements for the relevant postgraduate program at UQ using your first 5 semesters (of a 3 year degree) or 6 to 7 semesters (of a 4 year degree) from your home institution.

If you meet the entry requirements for your program, you will be issued with a conditional Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This enables you to start your program at UQ on a provisional basis and provide us with the official certified documents before the end of classes in Semester 2, 2020. You must provide all outstanding documents and show that you meet the program entry requirements, otherwise you are at risk of having your CoE cancelled.

No. You do not need to have your unofficial documents certified.

If you meet the entry requirements for your program, you will be issued with a conditional Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This enables you to start your program at UQ on a provisional basis and provide us with the official certified documents before the end of classes in Semester 2, 2020. You must provide all outstanding documents and show you meet the program entry requirements, otherwise you are at risk of having your CoE cancelled.

Yes. You need to supply your unofficial or online transcript in English and we will accept agent translations.

If you meet the entry requirements for your program, you will be issued with a conditional Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). This enables you to start your program at UQ on a provisional basis and provide us with the official certified documents before the end of classes in Semester 2, 2020. You must provide all outstanding documents and show you meet the program entry requirements, otherwise you are at risk of having your CoE cancelled.

UQ is temporarily accepting alternative English language tests for direct entry into Semester 2, 2020, or for UQ Package Offers (English language pathway program) for entry into UQ in Semester 1, 2021.

In addition to IELTS, TOEFL and PTE-A, you may be able to sit one of the following tests online in order to meet UQ’s English language requirements:

• Password Skills
• Linguaskill General
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition ‘at home’ (not available in China)

These tests are taken online in your own home via remote proctoring, provided by ProctorU. If you are unable to take the test from your home, there may be the option to take the test through a UQ approved agent.

An additional online test that will be accepted and can be taken through a UQ approved agent but is unable to be taken at home:

• IELTS Indicator (not available in China)

Password Skills or Linguaskill General

For more information or to book a test, please visit icte.uq.edu.au/testing or contact the ICTE Test Services team at icte.testing@icte.uq.edu.au.

TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition ‘at home’ test

For more information or to book a test, please visit ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home.

IELTS Indicator test

For more information, please visit icte.uq.edu.au/testing or contact the ICTE Test Services team at icte.testing@icte.uq.edu.au.

Remote proctoring is used when you sit an online test in your own home. It is the online invigilation of an exam. The exam is supervised by a real person called a “proctor” in real time via your computer webcam. 

The cost to sit Linguaskill General or Password Skills tests through ICTE Test Services is AUD$245 (incl. GST). This includes remote proctoring through ProctorU.

The TOEFL iBT and IELTS Indicator tests are currently not available through ICTE Test Services. You will need to liaise directly with these providers. For IELTS Indicator, you will need to register with ICTE first, before contacting IELTS.

• TOEFL iBT at home – Not available in China 
• IELTS Indicator – Not available in China
• Password Skills

The scores that you need to achieve to meet UQ’s English language requirements will depend on if you are applying for direct entry or via an English language pathway program on a UQ Package Offer