Staff COVID Information

  • UNE Armidale, Tamworth, Taree, Sydney and Regional Study Centre sites are open.
  • Rapid Antigen Tests are available at your local pharmacy.
  • If you are feeling unwell or you have tested positive for COVID-19, please don’t come to a UNE campus or site until your symptoms are gone .

Masks and hygiene:

Actively practice and promote good hygiene, especially hand washing.

All UNE staff and students are encouraged to wear a good quality face mask when indoors in a shared space or outside in a crowded space where you can’t physically distance, and maintain good ventilation indoors.

Video - High speed camera captures how different types of face masks work (UNSW).

Vaccinations, boosters and testing:

COVID-positive results:

Follow NSW Health Advice if you test positive or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Please do not come to a UNE site if you are aware you have COVID-19 or if you are unwell. You can work with your line manager to make appropriate work from home, or sick leave arrangements.

Domestic Travel

Domestic travel approval is to be approved at Level 1 HoS/Director/Dean levels. Staff must ensure that supporting documentation is attached prior to submission. This documentation must include the endorsement of essential travel and any other relevant supporting documents. The F020 COVID risk assessment is no longer required for domestic travel. Staff undertaking fieldwork must complete, in full, the Fieldwork Risk Assessment contained within the TR process. Staff and approvers should ensure that all risks are identified in the TR utilising the + function on the form.

International Travel

International travel approvals sit with Directors/Deans (Level 1) and COO (Level 2).

This is a responsibility not to be taken lightly, as with all approvals, the interest of both the individual and the University must be first and foremost in mind.

Travel approvers must confirm and be responsible for the following criteria:

  • The travel must be essential and cannot be conducted virtually.
  • Insurance for COVID-19 must be in place, personal travel insurance is also highly recommended to compliment UNE insurance.
  • Conference attendance must be accompanied by a letter from the conference confirming attendance and dates, additional time overseas must have confirmed activities documented and attached in line with foreign interference guidelines.
  • The travel must comply with current DFAT guidelines for your destination (DFAT advice level 1 and 2; and where COVID-19 requirements of the jurisdiction allow uninterrupted travel).
  • A UNE COVID-19 risk assessment must be attached (International Travel Risk Assessment) - Risk Management Tools - University of New England (UNE)
  • The same rules apply for student travel.
  • Travel must be booked through the FCM travel consultants to ensure the itinerary is captured with International SOS for medical and security coverage and tracking. Failure to do so may leave travellers untracked by ISOS resulting in potential for staff to be unaided should a serious incident arise.
  • In providing approval for travel, should the unfortunate happen, and a traveller falls ill, or has issues arising from not following the conditions outlined, the approver will be accountable.

Staff Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do if I’ll be working from home?

Please complete the Working Remotely - Off Campus application; and email your supervisor a list of equipment you have taken home, with serial numbers where available. If you need to visit campus to collect work or personal items, please inform your supervisor by email.

For further information to help you set up your workstation either at home or on your return to the office, visit the WHS Guidelines and Resources page.

For those people who have not yet migrated from a desktop to a laptop and need to do so they can book to collect one here:

Request a Dell Laptop

You will receive a booking date and time for collection. Please don’t attend the Service Desk without a booking.

Technology and Digital Services (TDS) have some excellent tips and tools to keep you connected and cyber secure. Please start by reading all the information at the Working From Anywhere page. If you need support, contact the IT Service Desk on extension 5000 (6773 5000) or log a job in the ServiceNow portal: https://une.service-now.com/sp_it

For further information to help you set up your workstation either at home or on your return to the office, visit the WHS Guidelines and Resources page.

What if I test positive for COVID-19

If you test positive for COVID-19, please don’t come to a UNE campus or site until your symptoms are gone.

Follow NSW Health Advice if you test positive or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.

Please notify your site coordinator (Sydney, Tamworth and Taree only) and supervisor (all locations).

  • If you are unwell, apply for sick leave through Web Kiosk
  • If you are asymptomatic (not sick) – where appropriate you can discuss remote working with your supervisor.
  • It is recommended that you undergo a RAT to ensure the infectious period has ended before you resume on-site work, research or study
  • Please do not return to any of our locations until your symptoms have fully resolved
Are there any changes at Yarm Gwanga, the library, food outlets, sport or the cinema?

Information on the current operational status of facilities and services such as Sport UNE, Yarm Gwanga Preschool and Early Education Centre and Cafe Life can be found here.

What are the current arrangements for Country Universities Centres?

Country Universities Centres: Please contact Country Universities Centres on degrees@cuc.edu.au or 1800 687 282 to find out about access and support arrangements for your local centre.

What should I do to ensure my UNE account is secure, no matter where I am?

Keeping your password up to date and safe plays a key role in keeping our systems safe for everyone.

Staff must change their password every 6 months as a minimum and this should not be the same as one you have used in the past. You can reset your UNE passwords using the change password page or call IT Support on 02 6773 5000.

Current recommendation is to create a ‘PassPhrase’ that is easy to remember but is long and complex enough to deter anyone trying to guess or crack it. For example, think of a sentence or phrase - ‘New South Wales Blues for the State of Origin 2021’ can become NSWB4SoO-2021 or ‘I’m happiest when running’ can become I’mh@pP!e5twhEnrunniN9

UNE has teamed up with LastPass, which can securely create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. No matter where you work, your logins and passwords can be saved, synced and autofilled for you. Find out more here, and contact the IT Service Desk if you need help, via the Service Portal or via email at servicedesk@une.edu.au

What if I develop symptoms of COVID-19?

NSW Health strongly recommends people who are sick or have tested positive to COVID-19 stay home until their symptoms have gone. Please do not attend a UNE site until your symptoms have resolved.

Follow NSW Health Advice if you test positive or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.

If you have serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, call 000 for urgent medical help. If you have even the mildest symptoms or have exposure concerns, check the latest NSW Health advice on seeking medical support.

What can I do to help keep myself and my colleagues safe at work?

When on any UNE campus, please assist us in ensuring a COVID Safe environment by supporting the following principles:

  • Wear a mask as required
  • Practice good hygiene;
  • Do not visit if you are feeling unwell;
  • Ensure physical distancing; and
  • Protect others and the most vulnerable
  • Use Zoom or Skype for meetings unless you can comply with physical distancing requirements.

Raise any concerns about the risk of contracting COVID-19 immediately with your supervisor or Health and Safety Representative and work with them to identify solutions.

NSW Government principles for staying COVID Safe are:

  • Stay home if you’re unwell
  • Practice good hygiene; wash your hands often and well
  • Physically distance where you can
  • Wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible.
  • Get a COVID-19 vaccination when it is available to you
I’m feeling anxious or worried about being on campus, what should I do?

If you feel uncomfortable, convey your concerns to your supervisor as they may be able to provide additional information to ease your mind. Be assured that UNE is doing everything possible to protect staff and students and is following the advice of the national and state government as well as the WHO.

If you observe any behaviors you feel jeopardise the safety of you or others, please contact UNE Safety & Security.

Contact wellbeing@une.edu.au if you have concerns about your wellbeing. The new employee assistance program Benestar is also available to you.

Do I need a medical certificate if I take work time for a COVID-19 test or vaccine?

Regardless of whether getting a COVID vaccination or a COVID test, the University is supportive of staff taking appointments at the earliest available option.  A medical certificate is not required for either, however as part of normal practice keep in touch with your supervisor so they know your movements and can provide any work adjustments or cover that may be needed if during work hours.  For any staff who feel unwell after vaccination, put your health and wellbeing first.  This may include resting or accessing sick leave if symptoms persist beyond the day of the vaccination.