Media releases

On Tuesday 28 September, the Victorian Government announced a snap 7-day lockdown for the Latrobe Valley due to a new COVID-19 outbreak in the area.

The lockdown means that the City of Latrobe is under metropolitan Melbourne lockdown restrictions (excluding curfew) until 11:59pm Monday 4 October.

For Federation University, our operations are changed as follows:

• Berwick and Gippsland campuses are closed in line with lockdown restrictions, aside from limited authorised activity for staff and students with an approved work or study permit (staff and students will contacted directly if required on campus).
• Brisbane Campus remains open and is unaffected by the Victorian restrictions. However, the Queensland Government has reintroduced the requirement in Brisbane and Moreton Bay (and residents of those areas) to wear face masks indoors (aside from working alone in your office or a meeting room) and outdoors when you cannot maintain 1.5 metres distance from others. Find information on face mask rules here.
• Ballarat and Wimmera campuses are open for up to 25 per cent of staff and approved student activity. This means there is limited on-campus activity and learning will remain remote except for practicals and laboratory classes for certain groups of students in accordance with the Victorian Government COVIDSafe Settings. Campus facilities and services are open but density limits are in place.

You can find more detailed information on restrictions at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au and www.covid19.qld.gov.au .

Authorised worker and higher education permits

To attend the Berwick and Gippsland campuses you will now need a permit, otherwise you must work or study from home.

The permit can also be used by staff in areas under lockdown restrictions to seek childcare (childcare centres and kinders in lockdown areas are closed, except to children that have one parent that is an authorised worker and vulnerable children).

To apply, find the application form and information on limited authorised worker categories at Authorised provider and authorised worker permit | Coronavirus Victoria.  Staff and students should then email their application to the appropriate contact below and cannot attend campus until the permit is approved.

• Staff permits – email hr@federation.edu.au or call 03 5327 6300.
• Higher education student permits – email WIL@federation.edu.au
• HDR student permits – email dean.gradstudies@federation.edu.au
• TAFE students including those attending regional campuses but reside in lockdown areas:
  • Authorised apprentices will need to seek a permit from their employer to continue study on campus.
  • The only non-apprentice group of students allowed onsite for practical delivery is Diploma of Nursing. Email Lee Wheeler, Education Manager Health and Nursing Programs at l.wheeler@federation.edu.au.
  • All other TAFE work placements must be reviewed by the General Manager, TAFE – email tafe.placements@federation.edu.au.

Updates via email, web and social media. Student support and services are still available over the phone and online if you need it. A range of Health and wellbeing resources are available online for staff.

Check the following government websites for changes and alerts at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au or www.covid19.qld.gov.au