COVID-19

International students unable to travel to Western Australia for semester two, 2020 due to travel restrictions are now able to commence their journey with ECU online for select courses. For more information see our 2020 semester two offerings.

Students studying online units offshore during semester two, 2020, do not require a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). You can apply for a CoE when you are able to commence on campus in Australia.

• ECU overseas student healthcare provider Medibank has made their support helpline available to all ECU international students.
• Whether you are onshore or offshore, and regardless of whether Medibank is your chosen Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provider, the helpline is accessible to all ECU international students and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• You can speak to a nurse about any health issue and they can help you get the help you need in Australia with qualified health professionals. Interpreters are also available if required.
• You can contact Medibank’s Health and Support Line on 1800 887 282 within Australia or +61 2 8905 0307 international. For more information, view our news item on the Expansion of Medibank 24/7 Health and Support line for all ECU International Students.
• If you are a Medibank customer and have questions about your OSHC membership, phone 134 148 within Australia, +61 3 9862 1095 International or email: ohsc@medibank.com.au

• If you have to make changes to your enrolment during this time, then you will either need to catch up – and this may require enrolling in Summer or Winter units – or extend your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), visa and health insurance.
• Depending on your circumstances, you may need to apply for a new student visa through the Department of Home Affairs.
• If you have any queries or need further guidance, please contact Student Success.

• If you are an on-campus student, you should enrol into all of your units on the relevant campus, unless you are in a vulnerable group.
• Provided WA continues its excellent progress on the COVID-19 front, ECU will be in a position to move most of our learning back on campus by the start of semester two. A great deal of work is currently underway to ensure that our campuses are fully prepared for a safe, physically distanced return to campus study.
• The exception at this stage will be lectures with more than 100 students – these will continue to be provided online due to physical distancing measures. Also, students who are considered vulnerable according to the Australian Government’s COVID-19 guidelines will require special arrangements. All lectures of fewer than 100 students, tutorials, workshops, labs and pracs will, at this stage, likely be delivered on campus as long as they can be done so safely and according to Government requirements.

While our campuses remain open, some services have either closed or adjusted to meet the WA Government's latest physical distancing measures.

• ECU Library
  
  Library staff are continuing to work to provide a high level of support to students and academic staff as learning activities are adapted for online delivery. Some changes have been made to our Library services in response to the latest WA Government guidelines on managing the spread of COVID-19.
  
  These changes include:
• Reintroducing access to all usual Library areas from 1 June:
  • JO31 Levels 1-4
  • ML8 Levels 1-4 and Curiosity Studio
  • BU3 Campus Library space
• You'll need your ECU ID card to gain entry to as Library building access is currently limited to ECU staff and students only.
  • If you need to pick up a laptop, please contact Library staff.
  • The Opening hours webpage lists opening hours for each campus and after-hours access times for Joondalup and Mount Lawley Campus Libraries.
  • Further details and regular updates about changes to Library services and opening hours are available on the Library website.
  • Semester two schedule of Library workshops will be available via the Library Workshops webpage.
  • If you If you need help with research, referencing or EndNote, you can book an online appointment with a Librarian.
  • New resources to support learning in an online study mode. Videos, online guides and online access to Library staff will help students adapt to learning and collaborating remotely.
  • VEEPS are students who can help you with your questions about ECU’s learning technologies. Available via online chat or phone 10.00am to 3.00pm weekdays, and 11.00am to 2.00pm on weekends.
  • For more information about any aspect of Library services at this time, you can contact us by phone +61 8 6304 5525 or email library@ecu.edu.au.

• eLabs
  • 24-hour access is available on all campuses.
  • Counter support is available in eLabs on all campuses from 8.30am to 4.45pm, Monday to Friday.
  • No swipe card access is required during counter support hours at Mount Lawley and Bunbury campuses however swipe access is required at Joondalup campus.
  • Additional computer labs are available to account for the reduced capacity of eLabs resulting from physical distancing measures. Further information is available as displayed in the eLabs.
• ECU Sport and Fitness Centres on the Joondalup and Mount Lawley campuses reopened on 15 June 2020 including the gyms, facility hire bookings, fitness classes, and the creches. ECU Sport and Fitness Centre at South West Campus will remain closed until further notice. The creche at South West Campus will reopen for bookings from Monday 27 July. All membership enquiries for the fitness centres should be emailed to ecusports@ecu.edu.au. See the ECU Sport and Fitness Centres’ FAQs for more information.
• Food and beverage outlets on campus
  
  The following cafés and restaurants are open and ready to welcome you back:
  • Joondalup
    - Arirang
    - Bar (Friday afternoons only)
    - Bermuda*
    - Cafe 6
    - Plantation* 
    - Slice of Italy
  • Mount Lawley
    - Bar of Edith (Friday afternoons only)
    - Café 10
    - Grindhouse*
  • South West
    -Kulbardi Café
    
    *Plantation, Bermuda and Grindhouse are offering dine-in meal services.

  All outlets are operating during morning and lunch periods and you are encouraged to pay with card only. Please check with our campus cafés directly for any specific requirements.

  Queueing and waiting area protocols are in place to meet physical distancing measures and all staff have completed the required COVID-19 Safety Training.

• Bookshop
  • Uniforms, name badges and textbooks can be purchased online from The School Locker.
  • The School Locker is due to open stores on Joondalup and Mount Lawley campuses in July 2020. They will stock uniforms, badges, equipment, apparel and a limited range of textbooks.
• Hair and Beauty Salon
  • Crown Salon is open for hairdressing services. The salon can be contacted on +61 6304 2888 for opening hours and availability. The salon is limiting client numbers to ensure it complies with physical distancing measures and increased sanitisation.
  • The Beauty Salon will re-open on 8 June 2020 and is now taking bookings. To book, phone 0410 174 887.
• UniSuper
  • The UniSuper on-campus and city offices are closed until further notice however face-to-face appointments will be replaced with video and phone meetings.
  • If you have an upcoming appointment with a UniSuper Financial Adviser or On-Campus Consultant they will contact you as soon as possible to reorganise.
  • If you’d like to make an appointment visit: unisuper.com.au/campus-bookings

• You can call ECU's Coronavirus Helpline on +61 8 6304 8500 or submit an enquiry via the online form on Ask Us.
• You may also find an answer to your query on this fact sheet issued by the Department of Health for university and vocational education students and staff.

ECU’s revised 2020 Academic Calendar includes these key changes:

• Semester two will commence, as originally scheduled, on 27 July.
• Provided WA continues its excellent progress on the COVID-19 front, ECU will be in a position to move most of our learning back on campus by the start of semester two. A great deal of work is currently underway to ensure that our campuses are fully prepared for a safe, physically distanced return to campus study.
• The exception at this stage will be lectures with more than 100 students – these will continue to be provided online due to physical distancing measures. Also, students who are considered vulnerable according to the Australian Government’s COVID-19 guidelines will require special arrangements. All lectures of fewer than 100 students, tutorials, workshops, labs and pracs will, at this stage, likely be delivered on campus as long as they can be done so safely and according to Government requirements.

• ECU staff developed flexible study plans for impacted students involving online learning and access to other materials. You would have been contacted by a senior ECU staff member about your study plan before 21 February.
• If you were not able to travel to Australia to complete your unit due to travel bans and restrictions, tuition fees may be credited.
• For advice on all of the above options, contact ECU's Coronavirus Helpline on +61 8 6304 8500 or submit an enquiry via the online form on Ask Us.

• As of 25 March 2020 at AEDST 1200hrs, the Australian Government announced a ban on all overseas travel. You will not be able to depart Australia to travel overseas. See latest travel advice.
• As at midnight 15 March, the Australian Government requires anyone returning to Australia from any overseas destination to self-isolate for 14 days. There are no exceptions.
• States and Territories can apply their own travel restrictions, including closing their state borders. Find out more about restrictions in each Australian state or territory by visiting:
  • Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government Health
  • New South Wales: NSW Government Health
  • Northern Territory: Northern Territory Government
  • Queensland: Queensland government health and wellbeing
  • South Australia: Government of South Australia SA Health
  • Tasmania: Tasmanian Government Department of Health
  • Victoria: Victoria State Government Health and Human Services
  • Western Australia: Government of Western Australia Department of Health

WA travel restrictions

• From 5 June, regional travel restrictions within Western Australia were further relaxed as part of WA's COVID-19 roadmap.

• Keep up with ECU on social media.
• You can also stay connected with other ECU students through the Discussion Board on your unit Blackboard sites.

ECU has a wide range of support programs for students, and in response to the COVID-19 situation more services are being added to assist students as they transition to remote learning, including:

• Financial assistance for students receiving social security through Centrelink
• ECU Financial support
• Studying online
• Technology
• Finding work
• Accommodation

Visit our Support for students during COVID-19 outbreak page on the student intranet for more information and have a read through the ‘Support for students’ FAQs section below.

• If your data collection and research require human participation and is potentially impacted by the COVID-19 situation, discuss this with your supervisors and Associate Dean of Research to manage this and to discuss other possible research approaches as well as to establish new timelines, if necessary. It is important to document any proposed changes to your plan or timeline in the Alternative Work Plan.
• It may be possible for you to make some minor changes to your research plans so your research can still go ahead, but in a slightly different way. So, consider if there are other options to collect your data. If you were going to do face-to-face interviews, is it possible that you could do these by videoconference (e.g., Zoom) or by telephone? Could you do an online survey instead? Is it possible to consider using other data sources or pre-existing data to progress your project? Discuss with your supervisor what options are available.
• Are there other important research tasks that you could continue or start to work on? For example, why not spend time on finalising your literature review and start writing up that and the methodology section for your thesis, update your Endnote library, etc.
• If you already have some data collected, why not analyse it now and work with your supervisor to write-up as a paper for a peer-review publication that could then be included in your final thesis or exegesis?
• Learn skills/methods that you need for data analysis – research skills training and resources are available in the Graduate Research School (GRS) Programs site in Blackboard, ECU LinkedIn Learning and/or book an online appointment with a SOAR Ambassador. The ECU Library also has a range of resources available for researchers under the Research Resources Libguides.
• Take a break/rest/look after your personal wellness – remember all HDR students have 20 days of annual leave a year.

• Speak to your supervisors regarding your School’s arrangements for accessing labs/equipment/facilities/etc and follow the advice and guidelines that have been drawn up by your School.
• For now, there is no change to access to research labs/equipment/facilities/etc, and there are no plans to close the campuses however physical distancing requirements must be observed. In most instances, physical distancing is enabled by the size of the lab and the proportionate number of students needing access to particular equipment/facilities. Schools will actively monitor demand and may restrict/limit access if there are concerns for staff and student health and wellbeing.
• For students needing access to research labs/equipment/facilities/etc at hospitals, aged-care facilities, schools and other off-campus/external locations, please check with your specific facility/location, and follow advice and guidelines provided by your School and the external facility/location.

• All HDR workstation areas have been assessed by the university as meeting the physical distancing requirements, so do continue to work from there on campus if you like.
• Discuss your concerns with your supervisors and review your work plan/task schedule with them. If your research requires you to access labs/equipment/facilities/etc, speak to your supervisors regarding your School's arrangements for accessing for accessing labs/equipment/facilities/etc, and follow the advice and guidelines that have been drawn up. Physical distancing requirements must be observed, and Schools will actively monitor demand and may restrict/limit access if there are concerns for staff and student health and wellbeing.
• There  are support and resources you can access to help you work from home including LinkedIn Learning, SOAR ambassadors, HDR communication advisers and the GRS quantitative research adviser and qualitative research adviser. In the interim, there will be no face-to-face appointments, but communication can be conducted via telephone, email or video conferencing.
• You can also stay connected from home with other ECU research students through online networking channels such as the ECU Research Students Facebook Group and GRS discussion boards under the GRS Programs Blackboard site.

• The 2020 Open Access Funding Support Scheme is open to any research staff member or PhD higher degree by research (HDR) student across ECU to assist them to make their imminent 2020 publications available online through Open Access.
• This scheme is managed by Library Research Services, with applications assessed as they are received on a first-come first-served basis. The scheme will continue in 2020 until the funding allocation is expended in full.
• To apply for these funds, please review the guidelines, complete the application form and send to Library Research Services at researchonline@ecu.edu.au.

• To request or borrow a laptop or data pack visit the Borrowing items page on the Library Services website.
• Also, speak to your supervisors and School to see if they can loan you a laptop or will allow you to take your ECU desktop/monitor home during this period.

• At this time, the university is not closing and subject to the physical distancing requirements, most research can still be conducted on our campuses.
• Depending on the nature and type of research you are conducting, you may be able to work from home. As long as you have the necessary technology (a computer and internet connection), there are numerous tasks you can do while not on campus.
• Discuss your concerns with your supervisors and review your work plan/task schedule with them.

• The GRS Research Skills Training Program is delivered online in a self-paced mode, or alternative virtual sessions where available. You can access this training content through the GRS Programs Blackboard site, (“GRS Programs”) which all HDR students have automatic access to. If you are having trouble accessing this, please email Research Training .
• The SOAR Centres will be operating as an online support service, offering appointments via videoconference, email or phone. Contact The SOAR team or book an appointment to make arrangements and get support.

• The SOAR Centre is still open, and the SOAR Ambassadors are taking appointments conducted online, via Team or Zoom, or via telephone call or email until further notice. Once an appointment date and time has been arranged, we will send an email calendar request with a link to join an online meeting. If you would prefer to use phone or email, please let us know.
• The Co-ordinator’s Research Student Support services are still available to help you via virtual appointments. Email GRS Student Support to schedule your appointment.
• GRS Research Advisers – are available for virtual or email appointments. Please contact Neil Ferguson or Chandra Salgado Kent directly to make an appointment.
• HDR Communication Advisers - Your HDR Learning Support team, Dr Jo McFarlane, Dr Michael Stein and Dr Kylie Stevenson, are available to help you when you are working off-campus. Email the HDRCA team to make an appointment.

• Officially you cannot start your studies if you are not enrolled. However, it may be possible to have discussions with your supervisors so that you can still develop a research plan and activity schedule for the period that you are overseas.

• At this stage there is no change to the HDR scholarships/stipends and other support that ECU provides to HDR students – this will continue as previously approved. However, we encourage candidates to document any proposed changes to your plan or timeline in the Alternative Work Plan.
• Scholarship and/or candidature extensions will continue to be assessed as per our usual practices. These will require documented evidence of significant impact on planned work and financial hardship, supported by your supervisor and School. Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but not until a few months before current expiration dates (e.g. if your scholarship currently goes into 2021, we would not be considering any requests to extend it this year).
• Please contact Co-ordinators Research Student Support services to discuss further. Email GRS Student Support to schedule your appointment.

• Please consider meeting your supervisors virtually through ZOOM or Microsoft Teams.
• You should also maintain regular email contact with them.

• Please send an email with your questions to the Student Success team for matters relating to enrolment for international students.
• If you are a J42 student, arrangements have been made for all on-campus classes to be delivered online/virtually. Please check your ECU student emails for information/details from your Course and Unit Coordinators.
• If you are an L61 student, discuss your concerns with your supervisors and review your work plan/task schedule with them.

• It is generally possible to defer or intermit candidature (unless this is your first semester at ECU). However, discuss with your supervisors as in most cases, you should be able to make minor changes to your research plans and timeline of planned activity, so that your HDR studies can continue as normal, even when away from the campus. Note that deferring or intermitting may have implications for scholarships.

• A wide range of support measures is in place. All the details are on the Support for students during COVID-19 outbreak page on the student intranet.
• For specific advice about your own circumstances, please contact Student Success.

ECU understands that students are facing financial hardship and we are committed to doing everything we can to help. To help you continue with your studies, ECU has put in place a $2 million Student Support Package that includes:

• Access to ECU Support Grants of up to $2,000
  This fund is for students who have been significantly disadvantaged by COVID-19. Funds of up to $2,000 per student will be made available dependent on eligibility. For more information and to apply, please read the information on the ECU Support Grant Application page.
• Hardship Payment Scheme
  • Hardship Payment Scheme applications for semester two, 2020 are now open to international students who meet the application criteria.
  • If you are an international student, payment extensions may be agreed on a case by case basis if you apply for the Hardship Payment Scheme for semester two, 2020.
  • The Hardship Payment Scheme is designed for continuing international onshore students on a Student Visa who are temporarily experiencing difficulty in paying tuition fees due to extenuating and unexpected circumstances that are beyond your control and directly impact your ability to pay your fees by the due date.
  • For eligibility criteria and to apply, see the AskUs FAQ: What is the Hardship Payment Scheme for international students?
• No parking fees
  ECU is offering full refunds on semester one and Full Year parking permits cancelled before 7 April 2020. Email parking@ecu.edu.au.
• IT assistance
  For those needing hardware and software, IT Service Desk can provide advice. To request to borrow a laptop or data pack visit the Borrowing items page on the Library Services website.
• No late payment fees for semester one, 2020
  ECU normally charges a late payment fee for Tuition Fees not received by the due date for the applicable teaching period. Late payment fees will not be charged for semester one, 2020.
• Reduction in SSAF (Student Services and Amenities Fee) payment
  For semester one, 2020 students required to pay SSAF will only be charged the off-campus rate of $46.20. You do not need to take any action, this change will be applied to your record. The SSAF is a fee approved by the Australian Government to provide student services and amenities beyond those required for the academic work of the University, such as a health, counselling, sport and social clubs.

Other support

• All our existing support services are now available online. For more information about all of the support available to students, see the Support for students during COVID-19 outbreak page on the student intranet.
• If you have recently lost your job, ECU’s Career Advisers can also help with resume writing, interview skills and advice on what you can do to find work. You can book an online appointment with a Career Adviser through ECU CareerHub.
• Childcare
  We know that many students are also parents and now trying to juggle their studies with having children at home. The Australian Government made the decision to fully subsidise all childcare fees until 12 July 2020. This was recently extended from 28 June to 12 July 2020. Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) will start again from 13 July 2020. From then, some families affected by COVID-19 will have access to more CCS. If this creates some options for you, there is more detail available on the Services Australia website.
• VEEPS
  This new virtual peer support service has been designed to deliver just-in-time assistance for students experiencing online learning issues as they arise. It includes advice on creating videos with Panopto, formatting with Microsoft Office and using all the features of Blackboard. Full details are available on the Peer support with learning technologies page.
• Parents and carers
  We have set up online check-ins for students who are parents and carers and who want to meet up with their peers to chat about the ways in which they are staying engaged with their studies while caring for others. These are also attended by University support staff who can provide individual support and also ensure these discussions inform the ways we continue to support all ECU students during this time. Additional information and resources is available on the Resources for studying and caring at home page on the student intranet.
• Pantry Box
  The ECU Student Guild and the ECU Graduate Research School are partnering to provide basic food items for students (and staff) in financial hardship. You can donate here or students can apply for a box of grocery essentials. You can also contact  ECU Guild for information about support from community organisations or Foodbank for food assistance.
• Mid-year graduating cohort
  We developed a tailored program for students due to graduate following the completion of semester one, to ensure they access career advice services and graduate programs.

Additional Australian Government support (available for Australian citizens):

• The Australian Government has announced several economic stimulus packages to support people receiving social security, including students on Austudy, Abstudy, Youth Allowance, JobSeeker (formally Newstart), parenting and other allowance payments. If you are already receiving a payment, the additional benefits that you are eligible for will be automatically paid to you. A one-off $750 payment to people on a wide variety of social security payments and concession cards, due in April.
• An additional $550 ‘coronavirus supplement’ per fortnight for six months for recipients of Austudy, Abstudy, JobSeeker (formerly Newstart), Youth Allowance, sickness, parenting, partner and farm household allowance payments.
• A second $750 one-off payment for all recipients of the first payment from July, provided they are not also receiving the additional coronavirus supplement to their regular payment.
• Additionally, you will continue to receive your Centrelink payments if the University is asked to close or reduce your study load. More information is available directly from Services Australia.
• Finder.com.au has some helpful information about meeting your utilities bills at this time, see: Coronavirus assistance for your energy and Internet bills.
• For specific advice about your own circumstances, please contact Student Success.

• If you have recently lost your job, ECU’s Career Advisers can also help with resume writing, interview skills and advice on what you can do to find work. You can book an online appointment with a Career Adviser through ECU CareerHub.
• For specific advice about your own financial circumstances and how we can help, please contact Student Success.

• Yes. Unit Coordinators are able to give extensions of up to 21 days for genuine issues if required. Please email your Unit Coordinator to discuss your specific circumstances.

• We know that some students want to build confidence and/or have minimal experience in online study. To assist you with this temporary transition to online learning, we have developed a guide and instructional videos:
  • Preparing to learn off campus: a guide for students
  • Panopto instructional videos: ECU learning online
  • Panopto instructional videos: Using Zoom

• Jump on to the Blackboard Student Homepage and explore the many resources we are creating to help you quickly become proficient.
• There are also many resources offered by our Libraries, and you can book an online appointment with a Learning Adviser if you need more support about learning online or with your assignments.
• You can also email Library Services on library@ecu.edu.au for general advice.

• These are very challenging times and we all need to lean on every support we can – family, friends and professional services – to keep us moving forward.
• If you are feeling stressed or anxious, please don’t hesitate to reach out to ECU’s free and confidential Student Counselling Service.
• For a mental health emergency, students can phone ECU’s out of hours student crisis line on 1300 583 032 or SMS by texting 0488 884 232.
• For information on more support options available to you, see the Support for students during COVID-19 outbreak page on the student intranet.

• Students experiencing challenges with accommodation are encouraged to speak to the team at the Student Hub regarding their situation.
• The Australian Government has made it clear that no-one will be evicted during the COVID-19 crisis, announcing a six-month moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenancies on 29 March.
• ECU is offering up to two weeks’ free emergency accommodation for eligible students in its Campus Living Villages. Eligibility criteria apply. Phone 08 9370 6376 (Mon to Fri 9.00am – 9.00pm).
• If you or anyone you know are in this situation, the following information may be of assistance:
  • ECU provides on campus accommodation at all of our locations. Campus Living Villages provide supportive, safe and accessible apartments and can assist in an emergency.
  • For tenancy assistance and advice you can also contact Tenancy WA but please remember to also use our ECU services as well.
• If you need to speak to someone outside of these hours, ECU’s out of hours Crisis Line is available to all students by phoning 1300 583 032 or via SMS to 0488 884 232.