Latest updates

Friday 24 September

• The University of Sydney will participate in a small pilot program to bring some international students back to New South Wales in 2021. Please check our website for more detail and updates on the program.
• The University Executive has redefined the type of research that will be enabled to be undertaken on campus. Further information on the Tier 1 and Tier 2 research categories for staff and HDR students is available on the intranet (UniKey log-in required).  

Graduations update: We have made the difficult decision for all graduation ceremonies scheduled for Semester 2, 2021 to be conducted remotely.

• We are disappointed that we are not able to celebrate a traditional in-person graduation ceremony, however we must keep the safety and wellbeing of our graduates, their families and friends, and our staff at the forefront of all of our decisions. We will be holding an online graduation ceremony which everyone will be able to attend to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.  
• While it will not be possible to reschedule all in person ceremonies, we hope to be able to invite our PhD and Doctoral Graduates to an in-person graduation ceremony in Semester 1, 2022, pending the easing of restrictions and advice from the NSW Government.
• More information about graduations is available on the student website.

Thursday 23 September

The Vice-Chancellor has written to all students to advise on continuing arrangements for Semester 2.

• To give students and staff certainty to plan effectively, we have made the decision to extend remote delivery of teaching for the remainder of Semester 2 and proceed with exams online.
• Provisions will continue to be made for students who need to come to campus to complete or progress their degrees as safely as possible. If this affects you, you will be notified about what you need to do via your Unit of Study coordinator.
• We are making plans for 2022 and are hopeful we will soon be welcoming many of our valued overseas students back to our shores as border restrictions lift.
• Visit our page on COVID-19 vaccinations for information about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as where staff and students can access the vaccine.
• All students who have been invited by the Social Research Centre to complete the National Student Safety Survey are encouraged to do so before the survey closes on 3 October.

Thursday 9 September

• The NSW government has today announced plans to ease restrictions for fully vaccinated people once the vaccination rate hits 70%. There are no changes to current University operations as a result of this announcement, but we continue to assess the situation as it evolves. Please continue to follow health orders and check this website for any updates on University operations.

Monday 6 September

• The University Health Services has Pfizer appointments available for staff, students, and their partners and dependants, aged 12 to 59. Appointments are only available to Medicare card holders. Make a booking online. International students and others without a Medicare card can be vaccinated for free at NSW Health and Government vaccination clinics.

• The NSW government has announced that authorised workers from local government areas (LGAs) of concern now have until 20 September to get vaccinated to allow them to continue to work outside the LGA they live in, provided they have booked their vaccination by the end of 8 September 2021. More information is available on the Working on Campus page on the intranet (requires UniKey log-in). This does not currently apply to students.

Tuesday 31 August

• In order to ensure the safety of our community and compliance with Public Health Orders, all staff, students and visitors attending campus are required to agree to our conditions of entry each time you come to campus. The conditions of entry form can be accessed via the Sydney Uni App (available on iOS and Android). The form should be completed along with checking in via the Service NSW QR code and using your swipe card to enter buildings.
• Eligibility for Pfizer has been extended to additonal NSW local government areas (LGAs) including Randwick (2031 postcode) and Camden, and the age range for eligibility in LGAs of concern and the Sydney Local Health District is now 16-59. You do not need a Medicare card to book. View more information on COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and bookings.

Saturday 28 August 

There have been changes to NSW Public Health Orders (PHO) overnight relating to vaccination requirements. Staff who need to come to one of our campuses for approved critical activity, now have until Monday 6 September – a week later than originally required – to provide evidence that they:

• have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, OR
• are medically exempt from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

This does not currently apply to students.

Thursday 26 August

The Public Health Orders (PHO) been amended overnight with a significant change for the University.

• The PHO requiring authorised workers to show evidence of vaccination/exemption and a permit when leaving their LGA for work no longer applies to students, therefore students coming to campus for study will not be required to produce evidence of vaccination or obtain a permit.
• Under the PHO students are still able to leave home (including an LGA of concern) if they are not able to study from home. 
• You may still be asked by Police to provide evidence that you are able to be out of your local area. It is advisable to carry your student card with you at all times in case you need it. 

The extension of COVID restrictions until Friday 10 September was announced for Regional NSW. Greater Sydney remains under stay-at-home orders until the end of September. 

Friday 20 August

Additional COVID restrictions for NSW announced today include:

• The current stay-at-home orders in Greater Sydney will be extended until the end of September. The extension will not apply for the Shellharbour or the Central Coast Local Government Areas (LGAs).
• From Monday 23 August, the following additional rule will also be introduced for Greater Sydney (and including regional NSW until 28 August): Mask wearing will be mandatory when outside your home, except when exercising.

Please visit the NSW Government website to familiarise yourself with additional restrictions and for latest updates.

Thursday 10 June

The New South Wales government has submitted a proposal to the Australian Federal Government to assist our international students to safely return to Sydney.

Any successful plan for the return of international students will need approval from the Australian Government and will likely only allow a very small number of students to return in 2021.

Our students who must undertake face-to-face learning to complete their degrees will be prioritised as part of this plan. Eligible students will be contacted directly once the proposal is approved.

International students interested in the latest updates and answers to frequently asked questions about the proposal can explore this website, or Study NSW.