COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - STUDENTS - Travel

If you have been impacted by coronavirus travel bans and have chosen to defer your studies you can adjust your OSHC policy dates to allow for the later completion date. If you have organised your OSHC through UQ, we will arrange an updated OSHC cover with Allianz Care. Please note that Allianz Care has provided us with the general advice that they can postpone the start of a student’s original cover. This may provide sufficient cover for your new study duration and where it does not, you will need to contact Allianz Care to arrange additional cover. When you know the date that you will arrive in Australia you should contact Allianz Care to make any further adjustments needed to your policy. If you have any questions about a possible additional charge, please contact Allianz Care < https://www.allianzcare.com.au/en/faqs/covid19-coronavirus-oshc.html > direct for specific advice.

Deferring your studies will not affect your visa status. If you require additional time to complete your studies (beyond your visa expiry date), you will need to:

• request an extension to your Confirmation of Enrolment, and
• apply for a new student visa.

Updated Friday 22 January 2021. Queensland Government travel restrictions may change at any time. Please make sure you visit the Queensland Government website to check the current travel restrictions prior to travelling.

Queensland border restrictions for interstate travel are dependent on where you are travelling from and why you are travelling. You can use the Queensland entry and testing requirements checker on the Queensland Government website for advice about what to do if you are travelling to Queensland.

As you are a student at UQ entering Queensland for the purposes of study, you are allowed to enter Queensland, even if you have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days. If you are intending to travel from a specified COVID-19 hotspot, or have spent time in any specified COVID-19 hotspot during the past 14 days, you will be required to complete and sign a Queensland Border Declaration Pass and complete mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation for a minimum for 14 days, at your own expense.

Further information about mandatory quarantine is available here. Queensland Government are charging for mandatory quarantine but if you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to apply for Government Assistance.

If you do require financial assistance and are unable or unsuccessful in securing Government Assistance, you can submit the relevant supporting documentation as part of a Financial Hardship Application to UQ. 

If you are moving to Queensland for the first time and you are a new student, you can contact Student Services to discuss what options may be available to you.

If you require assistance with securing accommodation, please get in touch with Student Accommodation Services on accommodation@uq.edu.au.

If you are intending to travel from a specified COVID-19 hotspot, or have spent time in any specified COVID-19 hotspot during the past 14 days, you will be required to complete mandatory quarantine in Government arranged accommodation for a minimum for 14 days, at your own expense.

Please make sure that you refer to the full information published by the Queensland Government in relation to mandatory quarantine fees here.

If you are a commencing international student travelling from a COVID-19 hotspot, you may be eligible for a $2,000 grant to contribute to the quarantine fee. In order to receive this, please fill out the Quarantine Registration form and we will assess your eligibility.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, require financial assistance and are unable or unsuccessful in securing Government Assistance, you can submit the relevant supporting documentation as part of a Financial Hardship Application to UQ. 

If you  have any further questions about the quarantine assistance package, you can contact Student Services to discuss what options may be available to you.

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

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.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have changed the way that a number of our activities are managed, including clinical and industry-based placements and field trips. 

To mitigate travel related risks, UQ requires all students to complete an online Travel Declaration prior to undertaking approved placements, work experience or field trips where the activity requires:

• travel more than 50km from your usual place of residence;  and
• an overnight stay (minimum of one night)

The Declaration outlines your responsibilities while engaging in this travel and also provides information on the UQ processes in place to ensure your safety and support while engaging in your placement or field trip.  By completing the Declaration you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these responsibilities.

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).  

If you have any questions regarding your specific placement or field trip circumstances please contact your Placement or Field Trip Coordinator.

If you are required to quarantine when returning to Queensland from overseas or interstate, please fill out the Quarantine Registration form and Student Services will assess your eligibility for quarantine assistance.

All students who have registered will receive information, resources, and ongoing support from Student Services during the quarantine period to assist with the transition to UQ. More information is available here.

Some students may be able to gain entry to Australia on an individual basis. Following the change to Government policy in relation to quarantine arrangements, if you do gain entry to Australia individually, you will be required to complete mandatory quarantine in Government arranged accommodation for a minimum for 14 days, at your own expense.

Please make sure that you refer to the full information published by the Queensland Government in relation to mandatory quarantine fees here.

If you are an international student, you may be eligible for assistance from UQ which may include a contribution towards quarantine fees and support from our international welfare advisers and counsellors. To get current information about what to expect when you get to quarantine and how to access support while you are there, please go to our webpage that outlines how we can support your safe return to UQ. This weblink also has the Quarantine Registration form which you will need to complete and we will assess your eligibility.

If you are a domestic student returning to Australia and require assistance with the costs of quarantine, you may also be entitled to financial assistance from the Queensland Government. You will be able to access further information about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for this assistance here.

If you are unable or unsuccessful in securing Government Assistance, you can submit the relevant supporting documentation as part of a Financial Hardship Application to UQ. 

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 Care and Allianz have confirmed that your health insurance will cover your care for recovery from COVID-19 when you are in Australia.