COVID-19 advice for graduate researchers

Last updated: Monday 6 November 2023

Important reminders

The University's COVIDSafe Plan details our approach to managing COVID-19 risks in 2023. As they are based on public health recommendations rather than mandatory requirements, we seek your cooperation in following this guidance to keep our community healthy and minimise the impacts of illness on campus

For further updates and advice about COVID-19 for graduate researchers, please see the FAQs below.

Manage your candidature

  • Taking leave from my candidature

    If you are unwell with, or caring for others, with COVID-19 you can access entitlements and support, such as personal leave or sick leave. Visit the Taking leave page’ on the GR Hub for further information.

    You can continue to access the University's health services while on leave.

    If you are enrolled full time but are only able to work at a part time rate (50%), you should consider changing to part-time enrolment for this time.

  • What if I need an extension to candidature because of COVID-19?

    The President of Academic Board approved a temporary increase of six months to the maximum course duration (that is, maximum thesis submission deadline) of graduate research degrees as follows:

    Doctoral candidates

    • Maximum course duration increases to 4.5 years
    • Available to candidates who commenced their course prior to 1 March 2020
    • Candidates must not have reached the 4-year milestone by 1 March 2020
    • You must record COVID-19 disruptions to candidature at each progress review

    Masters candidates

    • Maximum course duration increases to 2.5 years
    • Available to candidates who have commenced their course prior to 1 March 2020
    • Candidates must not have reached the 2-year milestone by 1 March 2020
    • You must record COVID-19 disruptions to candidature at each progress review

    Further extensions to candidature are available where progress is delayed due to circumstances beyond your control.

    You and your supervisors should discuss and record any COVID-related impacts to your candidature and update it periodically. You should refer to these records in progress review meetings to discuss how to mitigate COVID-19 impacts on your project.

    If you still need time beyond your maximum course duration, you will need to seek permission to submit. Previously completed candidature management and progress review forms can be used to support your application.

Scholarships

  • Will the University be providing scholarship extensions?

    The COVID-19 stipend extension scheme in place since 2020 is now phasing down and will end on 31 December 2023. A transitional scheme will be available for graduate researchers whose stipends expires between 1 January and 20 April 2024. Further details, including application opening and closing dates, can be found on the COVID-19 Stipend Extension page.

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