Welcome back!

We are offering on-campus classes in Semester 1, 2022 for students who can attend in person, and will continue to offer Live Online classes for students who are unable to attend class in person. 

For Semester 1, you must finalise your mode of study (on-campus or Live Online) by Friday 25 March 2022. You will not be able to swap or change your study mode after this time for the semester.

For international students currently living outside of Australia, you can start or continue learning Live Online at home during Semester 1, and transition to on-campus learning to start in Semester 2 or Semester 3.

Learning.Connected enables all our students to enjoy our learning benefits, whether in Australia or overseas.
 
Please contact the Student Centre if you need more information.

We follow strict COVID-19 cleaning protocols and NSW Health recommendations for infection control and prevention. 

We provide hand sanitiser stations on all floors of our buildings, and we ask that you maintain physical distancing in common areas of the building.   

In addition, we have made several improvements to the building air conditioning to improve ventilation and reduce risk of airborne transmission such as: 

• cleaning of the air conditioning units with microbial cleaning agents/chemicals focusing on coil and surface treatments has been completed. 

• installing F5 grade filters installed and comply with Australian Standards; all supplementary air-conditioning air handing units that can accommodate higher grade filters (F7/Merv 13), have now been upgraded following the NSW government’s advice on ventilation. 

• classrooms will receive specialised pandemic cleaning of high-risk and high touch point areas throughout the day

The use of face masks is recommended in classrooms and laboratories. A face mask may be removed if you are in a common area of the campus. Surgical masks can be requested from Security (GF 645, 609HS, 187TS) or Facilities (L6 187TS).

Please continue to check the latest advice from the NSW Government.  

From Friday 22 April, the NSW government announced the further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

UTS College is following NSW government guidelines and if you are a close contact (including household contact) of a person who is COVID-19 positive, you can still attend classes and study on campus if you have a daily negative rapid antigen test (RAT), have no symptoms, and wear a face mask. 

We continue to encourage you to wear a mask whenever it is not possible to physically distance from other students, teachers and staff. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and get tested. 

In line with the NSW Government Public Health Orders, we no longer require you to show proof of vaccination or exemption. We continue, however, to encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated, maintain physical distancing, and to stay at home if unwell. 

The use of face masks is recommended in classrooms and laboratories. A face mask may be removed if you are outside of a classroom or in a common area of the campus. Surgical masks can be requested from Security (GF 645, 609HS, 187TS) or Facilities (L6 187TS).

From 18 April 2022, international students will no longer need to receive a negative COVID-19 PCR test or (Rapid Antigen Test) prior to travel to Australia.

International students do need to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine prior to travel to Australia, and are responsible for meeting any testing requirements of the airline or countries through which you transit.

From Friday 22 April, the NSW government announced the further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

UTS College is following NSW government guidelines and if you are a close contact (including household contact) of a person who is COVID-19 positive, you can still attend classes and study on campus if you have a daily negative rapid antigen test (RAT) and wear a face mask. 

We continue to encourage you to wear a mask whenever it is not possible to physically distance from other students, teachers and staff. 

If you feel unwell in any way, you should stay at home, self-isolate, and get a COVID-19 test if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms – even if they are minor.

As part of the federal government’s border’s policy, international students must be fully vaccinated with a TGA approved vaccine to enter Australia.

In line with NSW Health rules, domestic students do not need to be fully vaccinated to study on campus. However, we strongly recommend that you have received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. We will continue to follow all NSW Health public health orders and will notify you if or when this situation changes.

Please follow the NSW Government's advice on Covid-19 testing and self-isolation if you begin to show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Should you test positive, please follow the advice of NSW Health and continue to isolate and practice good hygiene.

There are several things you can do to maintain your health and safety while on campus. These include:

• wear a mask in the classroom
• maintain physical distancing of 1.5m where possible 
• maintain good hand hygiene 
• vaccination is highly recommended 
• please stay home if you are feeling unwell or experience any COVID-19 symptoms.

The constant changes to what we can and can't do can be hard to keep up with. So, before you come to campus, check the NSW Government rules to make sure you’re informed, and you don’t put yourself or others at risk. Remember, the rules may change depending on where you're living, so take the time to double-check before you head in and always follow the advice.

Yes, we'll be offering student events and activities safely on campus for students to enjoy campus life. Check your Welcome Week schedule on CANVAS for upcoming on campus activities.

From Semester 1, 2022, the campus will be open for face-to-face classes.

Yes, you can defer studying on campus if you prefer to study on campus. We ask that you defer well in advance of the start of Semester 1, 2022 to ensure there is no impact on your fees. We also need to ensure that your new start date works with your continuing study plans and pathway to UTS. 

You can also commence your program Live Online in Semester 1 and transition to on-campus learning for Semester 2 or 3 as your circumstances change. We advise you to contact the Student Centre to discuss your circumstances. 

Our Student Support webpage provides you with the information for all of our support services, including academic, wellbeing, IT support and more.

No, from 18 February, you will no longer need to check in to campus using a QR code.

Yes, please note that masks are still required on public transport. Surgical masks can be requested from Security (GF 645, 609HS, 187TS) or Facilities (L6 187TS).

From 25 February, students and teachers, when outside the classroom, will no longer be required to wear a mask on campus.

Due to the emergence of the COVID-19 variant, Omicron, Australia’s National Security Committee announced a pause to the return of international students, as well as other visa holders until 15 December 2021. The temporary pause allowed Australia time to better understand the Omicron variant.

International borders are to Australia are now open. Information on travelling to Australia can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. 

You will need your student visa, proof of full vaccination with a TGA-approved vaccine, a valid passport and any other travel documents as advised by the Australian Government.

You can prepare for your travel with the Pre-departure and Arrival checklist on the Study NSW website or the Australian government website. The checklist includes detailed information about visa requirements, vaccination certificates, COVID-19 testing, and more.

If you are travelling to Australia after 18 April 2022, you will not need to undertake a COVID-19 test prior to travelling. However, you're responsible for checking the testing and proof of vaccination requirements for the airlines or vessel operator you travel with, and all countries you travel to and transit through. More information on travelling to Australia can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. 

Yes. All international students can start returning to study in Australia from 15 December 2021 without requiring a travel exemption.

To attend the UTS College campus for Semester 1 2022 (commencing February), we encourage you to accept your offer as soon as possible in order to begin making travel arrangements.

After accepting your offer, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which you will need to apply for your student visa.

See our website for more detailed information on getting ready to travel to Sydney and starting at UTS College.

1. Once you have accepted your offer and paid your fees, you’ll be issued a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) (if you’re under 18). This confirms the course/s that you’ve been admitted into.
2. Once you’ve received your CoE and CAAW you’ll be able to apply for a student visa. Your education agent will assist you with your visa application.  

For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs website. See our website for more information on applying to UTS College and accepting your offer.

We recommend that you book flights when you:

• have your CoE from UTS College
• have received an Australian student visa
• are prepared to meet the requirements for travel to Australia.

See our website for more detailed information on getting ready to travel to Sydney and starting at UTS College.

No. We will issue you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when you have accepted your offer and paid your fees. This confirms the course/s that you’ve been admitted into.

Once you’ve received your CoE (and CAAW if applicable) you’ll be able to apply for a student visa. Your education agent will assist you with your visa application.  

No. As long as you’re fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine, you will not need to quarantine on arrival.

For more information on what you need to do before you travel, read What I need to do before I travel on the Department of Home Affairs website.

All students who are eligible to study in Australia, that is, have a valid student visa, proof of full vaccination with a TGA-approved vaccine, a valid passport and any other travel documents as advised by the Australian Government, can study on campus.

If you are unable to attain the above items, you may continue or start to study Live Online in 2022 and transition to campus for the next available semester. Please discuss your options with the Student Centre.

Currently, TGA-approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccinations include:

• Comirnaty (Pfizer)
• Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca)
• Covishield (AstraZeneca)
• Spikevax (Moderna)
• Takeda (Moderna)
• Janssen-Cilag (Johnson & Johnson)
• Coronavac (Sinovac)
• BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) (for 18-60 years old)
• Covaxin (Bharat Biotech).

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is reviewing other COVID-19 vaccines that may be recognised for the purposes of inbound travel to Australia in future. 

We recommend that you read What I need to do before I travel on the Department of Home Affairs website and COVID-19 vaccinations on smartraveller.gov.au for more information on vaccination requirements.

If you are unable to attain one of the above vaccines, you may continue or start to study Live Online in 2022 and transition to campus as your situation changes. Please speak to the Student Centre to discuss your options. 

A range of financial government support is available for eligible students. Please refer to the Payments and Services During Coronavirus page on the Services Australia website to view eligibility criteria and find out what assistance is currently available.

We strongly recommend that all students continue to check both the Study Australia and Department of Home Affairs websites for the latest information before booking flights and finalising travel arrangements. 

UTS College and UTS offers a wide range of accommodation options for students. Click here for details about arranging accommodation in Sydney and your many accommodation options.

Scape observes NSW Health COVID-19 guidelines and maintains touch-point cleaning. Rooms at Scape are set aside for isolation, if needed. All staff at Scape are double vaccinated and all students/residents are also required to be double vaccinated.

Homestays has a Covid policy available on their website for hosts and recommend that all hosts are vaccinated. Hosts can upload vaccination certificates to the Homestay website so that vaccination status can be reviewed during the placement process. Homestay requests that students isolate for 72 hours in hotel quarantine on arrival before attending their homestay location. For more information on self-isolation, please see the NSW Government website. Once students have completed self-isolation and provide Homestay with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, they can move to their Homestay location. 

Yes. Your homestay accommodation can include an airport welcome. Alternatively, you can request UTS College to arrange your transport from the airport at a cost A$160. You can also find out more about transport in Sydney on our website.

Homestays has a Covid policy available on their website for hosts and recommend that all hosts are vaccinated. Hosts can upload vaccination certificates to the Homestay website so that vaccination status can be reviewed during the placement process. Homestay requests that students isolate for 72 hours in hotel quarantine on arrival before attending their homestay location. Once students have completed self-isolation and provide Homestay with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, they can move to their Homestay location. For more information on self-isolation, please see the NSW Government website.

See our website for information about Homestays and other accommodation options for students. You can also email accommodation@utscollege.edu.au to find out more.

See our Living in Sydney page for more information about preparing to travel, live, study and work, in Sydney.

What are coronaviruses?

Where have active cases of coronavirus been diagnosed? 

You can find the latest information on confirmed cases, symptoms and prevention, on the NSW Health website.  

If I need to self-isolate, what guidelines should I follow?

Visit the NSW Health or NSW Government guidelines on management of COVID-19 and self-isolation.

The Australian Government has announcement that from 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated international students with a student visa can travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.

The NSW Government will not require international students to quarantine on arrival if they are fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised vaccine. Students must show proof of vaccination prior to travel. 

Where can I find more information? 

We will monitor and update this page as required. Please see the above FAQs on travelling to Australia and studying in Sydney. If you have any questions or concerns, you can also visit: 

• International SOS
• NSW Health 
• World Health Organization

Medibank’s 24/7 Student Health and Support Line can help provide students with guidance on what action to take. Students with Medibank Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) can call and speak with a nurse about any health issue by calling 1800 887 283, and they can arrange an interpreter if required.

While there are currently no specific treatments for novel coronavirus, in the unlikely case a student has the coronavirus, Medibank OSHC can still help them get the medical support they need in Australia with qualified health professionals.

The Central Railway Station Clinic is a walk-in Covid-19 testing clinic located on Eddy Avenue, under Central Station; a short 5-minute walk from UTS College. For a full list of Covid-19 testing locations and clinics, see the NSW Government website or the NSW Health website. 

As of Friday 22 April 2022, The NSW Government advises if you are a close or household contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, you no longer need to self-isolate for 7 days. However, you should:

• self test for COVID-19 using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). A positive test result must be reported via the Service NSW app or website. You do not need to confirm your result with a PCR test
• Wear a mask at indoor venues, including on campus
• watch for COVID-19 symptoms and retest should any symptoms occur, or retest at day six to confirm a negative result
• If you are attending campus, you will need to show daily proof of a negative RAT, have no symptoms, and wear a mask
• Find out more on the NSW Health website. 

If you develop a fever, a cough, sore throat/chest or shortness of breath (other early symptoms include chills, body aches, sore throat, headache and runny nose, muscle pain, nausea or diarrhoea) within 14 days of exposure, you should:  

• immediately isolate yourself from other people
• wear a mask  
• seek medical attention as soon as possible and take a COVID-19 test.

You should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for at least 14 days after your last contact with a COVID-19 positive person.

If you find out you have tested positive or are a close contact, please go home, self-isolate and follow the advice from NSW Health. Please advise the welfare team or the student centre of your circumstances.

We have a policy in place to ensure the safety of students and staff. This includes: 

• cleaning and disinfecting of all areas used by the person who tested positive  

• notifying NSW Health to assist with the contact tracing

• we will use the NSW Guidelines to determine who needs to be informed of the positive case to request they monitor for symptoms and, if necessary, complete a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

• while waiting for results, you may learn from home if you are well enough and until a negative result is received. If​ you are a close contact, you may still attend campus. You must wear a mask indoors and show daily proof of a negative RAT test. 

If you are unwell, we recommend you rest and recover. You will need to provide a medical certificate or positive PCR test or RAT (Rapid Antigen Test). You may return to campus if you have no symptoms after seven days. 

From Friday 22 April, you no longer need to isolate due to being a close contact, however you will need to wear a mask indoors and show daily proof of a negative RAT test. Classes will also be offered Live Online so you can continue learning from home. 

Students and staff are required to purchase their own masks and rapid antigen tests.

If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19, you may apply for Special Consideration, if you are unwell and not able to attempt your assessment. 

A Special Consideration form will need to be submitted to your Study Success Adviser. A positive PCR test result will be needed to support your application. 

Details about Special Consideration are here 

For Live Online classes – the College will find a replacement teacher for your class. In the rare event that a replacement teacher is not available, you will be advised as early as possible.

For on-campus classes – If you are attending on-campus classes and your teacher tests positive or needs to isolate, your class will move to Live Online. If your teacher is unwell, the College will find a replacement teacher.

If your teacher is isolating, but well, then class will be conducted Live Online until the isolation period is over, in line with NSW Health Guidelines, and all are safe to return to campus.