COVID-19 advice for Curtin Community

Information for students

During the COVID-19 pandemic, any essential information for students will be provided on this site and communicated in our regular channels including email and Student Oasis. For all general or study enquiries please contact Curtin Connect.

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With so many of your day-to-day activities now unavailable to you, it’s a good time to be studying. Curtin has moved its teaching operations online so that you can safely continue with your studies. We’re also offering a range of practical and financial support to help you stay on track with your study goals.

Our friendly staff at Curtin Connect are available to help you with your questions and are easily contactable by phone or online.

Financial support for students

We remind all students who are experiencing financial hardship that you may apply for financial support. Applications for the Financial Support Bursary and the Housing Support Bursary can be made here.

Studying online

Studying exclusively at home will be a new experience for many students. For some, it may pose particular challenges. Support and advice is available, as outlined below.

Internet and equipment issues

Curtin Connect can direct you to the appropriate services if you are having trouble studying at home because:
- you have no internet access
- you can’t afford a plan with enough data to enable you to complete your studies at home
- you don’t have access to a laptop or computer at home
- you are having ongoing issues with accessing study materials at home.
If you are having problems viewing lectures online, you should contact your Unit Coordinator as they may be able to send you materials in a different format (e.g sending you lecture slides as a PDF document, as opposed to streaming a video online). You can locate your Unit Coordinator’s details in your unit outline, located under the ‘My Studies’ tab in OASIS.
Students can also continue to access Curtin’s free and/or discounted software at https://students.curtin.edu.au/essentials/it/software/

Study support

If you are studying a unit that usually requires a lot of interaction in class, or are generally concerned you will struggle to complete your studies online without your tutor or classmates alongside you, you are encouraged to:

contact your unit coordinators and tutors for advice and assistance
stay in contact with your classmates so you can support each other online.

Your study environment

If you have a noisy or distracting home environment that makes it difficult to study, the following advice is suggested:

try using noise cancelling headphones
try to separate yourself from other people you may be living with and/or ask that they be considerate of your study needs
study outside if you have the space and the weather permits. Whether you are in quarantine or self-isolating, you can still use your own backyard.

Frequently asked questions

Being on campus (attendance, participation, health advice)

Study issues (offers, deferrals, withdrawals, studying online, overseas travel)

Financial issues (late payments, refunds, overseas health cover, financial assistance)

How do I apply for a Curtin financial support bursary and who is eligible?

Financial support bursaries may be available for students from disadvantaged/equity backgrounds experiencing significant hardship as a result of COVID-19 and associated contingency measures being implemented by the University. This includes domestic and international students, enabling/pathway, undergraduate, postgraduate and HDR students.

Applications for financial support bursaries can be accessed by visiting https://scholarshipsapp.curtin.edu.au/scholarships/4137. Applications will be prioritised according to significance of hardship and demonstrated need.

Students should also check the Australian Government’s Services Australia website to check their eligibility for support payments.

My Australian Citizenship ceremony has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Am I still able to defer my fees via HECS-HELP/FEE-HELP or SA-HELP?

We understand that some students expected to receive their Australian citizenship certificate before the census date but many citizenship ceremonies have been cancelled due to the pandemic.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has advised that students impacted by this may request an urgent citizenship ceremony by completing this form and sending it to the Department of Home Affairs using the address for their state:

wdt_ID	State	Contact address
1	New South Wales	ceremony.nsw@homeaffairs.gov.au
2	Queensland	ceremony.qld@homeaffairs.gov.au
3	Victoria	ceremony.vic@homeaffairs.gov.au
4	Western Australia	ceremony.wa@homeaffairs.gov.au
5	Australian Capital Territory	ceremony.act@homeaffairs.gov.au
6	South Australia	ceremony.sa@homeaffairs.gov.au
7	Tasmania	ceremony.tas@homeaffairs.gov.au

If you are unable to do this and cannot pay your tuition fees in full, you may consider the following options:

Reducing your study load, or
Taking an leave of absence and returning once you obtain your Australian citizenship.

I have paid my tuition fees but am unable to start my course or continue my studies due to the travel restrictions. Am I able to apply for a refund?

If you are a new international student and wish to defer your course start date, any monies paid into your account will remain until you resume your studies at Curtin.

If you are a continuing student and you are unable to continue your studies and are now on an approved leave of absence, your fees will be credited to next semester’s enrolment. Alternatively, as per the international refund agreement you are eligible for a 100% refund.

If I can’t come onshore or must defer my arrival in Australia due to COVID-19, how will my Overseas Health Cover be affected?

Is there financial assistance available if I am impacted by the travel restrictions to Australia due to the COVID-19 (novel coronavirus)?

I am stuck outside Australia and facing significant travel costs, and/or unable to access resources essential for my studies. What do I do?

Visit the Australian Government’s Services Australia website to check your eligibility for COVID-19 related support payments.

A range of Curtin support, such as financial hardship bursaries, may also be available to assist students experiencing significant hardship, including students outside Australia. Please direct enquiries to Curtin Connect and they will ensure you are referred to the most appropriate service/support and assisted as quickly as possible.

I have received the invitation to accept the Access Support Scholarship and I have no study options for semester one. Can this fee-remission be credited to semester two fees?

How do I accept my Access Support Scholarship?

I have received an email regarding the Access Support Scholarship and I am currently in transit. Am I still eligible?

I am experiencing severe financial hardship, as a result of COVID-19 and associated contingency measures being implemented by the University. What help is available to manage my living costs?

A range of support is available both from Curtin, Government and community services, to assist people facing significant hardship as a result of COVID-19. Here are some avenues you should explore:

If you are unable to pay important bills, contact your provider directly to discuss what concessions/support they may be able to offer someone in your situation.
Visit the Australian Government’s Services Australia website to check your eligibility for any support payments.
If the above are not able to assist, you may be eligible for a range of support programs facilitated by Curtin. Contact Curtin Connect to discuss your needs, and they will refer you to the most appropriate service.

I am (or am at risk of becoming) homeless as a result of the financial impact of COVID19. What help is available to support me at this time?

Australian students should check the Australian Government’s Services Australia website to check their eligibility for COVID-19 related support payments.

For financial support, housing tenancy information and general advice, please contact Curtin Connect, who will ensure you are referred to the most appropriate service/support and assisted as quickly as possible.

Is there support in place for students on CAPS or other specific health issues?

I left China prior to 9 March and have been self-isolating in another country. Am I still eligible for the Access Support Scholarship?

I am an international student, am I covered for testing of the virus?

If I have contracted COVID-19 while overseas, is it considered a pre-existing condition for treatment and/or repatriation under my Overseas Health Cover?

If I have had to delay the commencement date of my course due to COVID-19, can I suspend my Overseas Health Cover policy?

Curtin contact details for health and wellbeing support

Important information

The following sites may provide useful information for students:

The Australian Government has created a page with comprehensive up to date information on the current situation. Read more
The Department of Health has released important information for students regarding COVID-19. Visit the website
The Department of Health has also released useful information for students regarding COVID-19 in simplified Chinese to assist students. More information.