Update 25 February 2022
Flinders University continues to closely monitor COVID-19 outbreaks nationally to support our students and staff in SA, the NT and elsewhere. This page is regularly updated to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our community.
Latest information about COVID-19 for South Australia can be found on the SA Health website.
If you’re at one of our Northern Territory locations please check advice from NT Health.
The latest advice for each State and Territory is available at the following links: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, WA, Tasmania and the ACT .
Wherever you are, it’s important to maintain safe physical distances, practice thorough hygiene, wear a mask and if unwell stay at home, arrange to have a COVID test and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
If you are deemed a close contact of a positive case, please isolate and get tested as advised by your local health department. Close contact requirements for SA and NT are available on their respective websites: SA Health, NT Health.
Course delivery
One of Flinders University’s strengths is our rich and engaging learning experiences. Our campuses remain open, giving you every opportunity for learning in our vibrant on-campus environment. However, we realise this may not work for all students, or that there may be times when you need to self-isolate, or that the covid trajectory in SA and the NT may prompt a switch to online options - so our staff are working hard to ensure on-campus activities are augmented by online learning.
Whilst there are opportunities to learn on campus, please prepare yourself for the possibility of learning online when required. Please check your FLO site regularly for updates on teaching arrangements for your specific course and topics. As always if you’re not sure about the specifics of your topic or course, please check with your topic/course coordinators.
Current students who have been vaccinated are required to make a declaration that they have read, understood, and will follow the in-person learning conduct rules, which are available in each student’s FLO (Flinders Learning Online) Topic Sites. Students studying courses that have external requirements for placements or locations will need to provide proof of a valid vaccination certificate.
Current students who are not vaccinated will need to make a declaration that they will have regular COVID tests in order to attend campus. These students will be required to have a Rapid Antigen Test within the three days prior to each attendance on campus and only attend campus if they have a negative result, a measure which in conjunction with continued wearing of masks and physical distancing will further help minimise risk and increase confidence across our community. This means a person with a negative RAT result on a Monday morning can attend campus up to and including Thursday. Further tests are required for subsequent attendance. Our blend of in-person and online learning options should provide most students with flexibility around attendance.
Commencing students enrolling in courses where external bodies impose strict vaccination mandates (eg for courses in medicine, Nursing, Education etc) will be required to provide evidence of vaccination to enrol into their program of study at Flinders.
When on campus masks must be worn indoors, unless medically exempt, and physical distancing of at least 1.5m should be maintained. Regularly and thoroughly sanitise your hands and things you touch, and do not come to campus if you become unwell or develop symptoms of COVID-19.
Effective Monday 28 February, a Student Vaccination Policy will implemented at Flinders University. The full Student Vaccination Policy is available to view in the Policy Library.
If you have any questions, visit our FAQs or head to Ask Flinders.
Vaccinations remain the most effective means of reducing harm from COVID-19. Flinders University strongly encourages anyone who get vaccinated or is eligible for a booster to please do so.
South Australia
The South Australian Government requires all staff and students entering any of the following facilities to have evidence of at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and proof of a booking of a second:
All staff and students entering a healthcare, aged care or disability setting are also required to have a recognised booster vaccination within four weeks of becoming eligible.
Northern Territory
Students are likely to fall into a category that requires all workers, including students on placement, to have two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine to attend workplaces in the Northern Territory, unless they have a medical exemption.
Please visit the NT Health website for the latest information about vaccination requirements in the Northern Territory.
Flinders is renowned for rich and engaging learning experiences. Our campuses will remain open, and we intend to offer opportunities for all students to have some on-campus learning if they choose. These on-campus activities will be augmented by online learning.
Courses are being planned to allow for flexibility and the option of an online alternative to accommodate students who are unable to attend campus, or to ensure continuity during self-isolation.
Please visit your FLO Topic site for information, as staff will update these to reflect the teaching arrangements for the semester.
All on campus activities must adhere to strict COVID-19 safety practices including mask wearing at all times indoors, physical distancing, observance of thorough hygiene and careful recording of attendees.
Face masks on campus
Staff and students are advised face masks need to be worn indoors in public areas including lifts and any other area where exposure risks are elevated.
SA Health notes the following circumstances when it might not be possible to wear a face mask:
Please be respectful to others as reasons for not wearing a mask are not always obvious. By wearing your mask you are helping to protect yourself and those who cannot wear a mask.
Face masks – general guidance
Face masks are a physical barrier to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Suitable types include washable reusable cloth masks, and single-use face masks (commonly called surgical masks, including variants N95, P2 and KN95) that cover the nose and mouth.
In some high risk setting such as health care, aged and disability care, public transport, airports and planes mask wearing is mandatory.
In other settings, SA Health strongly recommends wearing masks most of the time while indoors.
Irrespective of mask type, wearing a mask means you are not designated a ‘close contact’ and do not need to isolate
Wearing face masks mitigates ‘close contact’ risk for the entire University community.