Two students at UOW's Wollongong Campus

COVID-19 information for students

What you need to know about learning and student life at UOW during COVID-19.

Staying COVID-safe on campus

To ensure the ongoing safe operation of our campus activities and the wellbeing of our students, staff and visitors, the University has implemented a COVID-19 Safe Plan. For these measures to be effective, we need everyone in the UOW community to share in the responsibility for its implementation.

  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms, follow the health advice and do a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). If you test positive to COVID-19 we strongly recommend you stay home until your acute symptoms have gone and follow health advice
  • COVID-19 (as well as influenza) vaccination is strongly encouraged for staff, students and visitors attending all our campuses.
  • Students living in UOW residences, as well as workers or visitors in these facilities, are required to be vaccinated.

You can view the COVID-19 Safe Plan here or visit AskUOW if you have any COVID-19 questions.

On campus and online study options

While most students are back on campus in 2023, some international students continue to face challenges as a result of VISA delays and isolated boarder restrictions. With this in mind:

  • Face-to-face classes on our campuses will be carried out with COVID Safe measures in place.
  • Wherever possible on campus lectures will have a live stream option and/or be recorded.
  • If you're an international student with questions about study requirements visit the Student Visa and Compliance web page.
  • Students located in Australia who have health concerns and are considered vulnerable can be considered for appropriate adjustment by UOW's defined process of registering for an Access Plan.
  • Shared indoor spaces will have mechanical or natural ventilation.

What you need to know

If you have COVID-19 symptoms you cannot attend campus and are required to follow the health advice and get tested.

If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms first, call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 vaccine helpline on 1800 020 080 for advice. You should seek medical attention if you have serious symptoms. 

For information on how to seek medical attention visit the Australian Government Department of Health.

If you test positive to COVID-19 you are required to follow Public Health Order advice.

When to notify UOW:

  • If your studies have been impacted (such as class attendance), please get in touch with your Subject Coordinator or Tutor. They will advise you on what options are available to you with regards to your studies.

Academic consideration may be available:
Academic consideration may also be considered if COVID-19 illness impacts your studies. You can find out more about Academic Consideration, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, on our website.

If you experience ongoing impacts due to COVID-19, please contact UOW’s Student Accessibility and Inclusion team for ongoing support and to apply for a reasonable adjustment.

We strongly encourage all students and staff to get fully vaccinated and get their booster shot as soon as they are eligible. 

Students are required to be vaccinated if they are living in UOW residences, for professional experience and work-integrated learning placements where there is a Public Health Order requirement.

The University strongly advises wearing a mask indoors, in crowded places, when you cannot practise physical distancing, and of course, when it’s mandatory. This simple measure is an effective way to help protect everyone in our community.

Masks will continue to be required in laboratories and other clinical training settings.

Please remember to follow these safety precautions when you come to campus:

  • Practise good hygiene by washing your hands often and well or using a hand sanitiser.
  • Disinfect any shared equipment or surfaces with disinfectant wipes or sprays.
  • Practise cough etiquette (coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue).

Extensive safety and hygiene processes are in place with cleaning, hand sanitiser, disinfecting wipes, cleaning supplies and gloves.

Natural and mechanical building ventilation is routinely checked to ensure air quality is in line with safety standards.

UOW continues to follow NSW Health advice on COVID-19 protocols and requirements. We encourage you to stay updated on the latest rules and advice via the NSW Health website.

Timetables

The Autumn, Trimester 1, Trimester 2, and other associated timetables for 2022 have been published and are available to view on the Timetables page.

The timetable will outline the subjects running in each session, class options for each subject and how those classes will be delivered (e.g. on-campus, online or both). To check a specific subject, refer to the location listed against that subject’s classes. Once you have enrolled in a subject, these details will also be available in your SOLS under Timetable > Subject Timetable.

What the timetable looks like:

  • Most subjects will offer on-campus delivery and students are encouraged to select on-campus class options.
  • Many subjects will continue to offer online class options (where possible)
  • Enrolment into online classes for certain subjects may be subject to approval, as spots may be reserved for students unable to attend campus due to border closures or other extenuating circumstances. Find out more on the timetable website.
  • Please note that online options may not be offered for subjects that require on-campus attendance for teaching or accreditation.