COVID-19 vaccination information for placement students | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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COVID-19 vaccination information for placement students

As of 25 September 2023, there have been changes to the Queensland Government’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements across Queensland Health settings, which means that some placement organisations no longer require vaccination to attend.

Please note that some placement host organisations may still choose to require COVID-19 vaccination now or in the future. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in some programs may still be limited.

UniSC does not have a University-wide COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Programs with compulsory placement that recommend COVID-19 vaccination

The following UniSC programs include compulsory placements in settings that recommend COVID-19 vaccination. 

Allied Health 
  • Bachelor of Dietetics/Bachelor of Dietetics (Honours)  
  • Bachelor of Health Science (Environmental Health and Prosthetics and Orthotics extended majors)  
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) 
Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine 
  • Bachelor of Midwifery 
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science 
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science (Graduate Entry) 
  • Bachelor of Paramedicine/Bachelor of Paramedic Science 

 

Providing proof of your COVID-19 vaccination
  • If the COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for your host organisation, it will appear in your mandatory checks in Sonia Online.  
  • To be eligible for placement, you must upload proof of your vaccination to Sonia Online as soon as possible.  
  • For information on how to obtain proof of your COVID-19 vaccination, please visit the Services Australia website.  
  • It is important to know that providing misleading or false evidence of vaccination status is considered to be academic misconduct under UniSC’s Student Conduct – Governing Policy. 
Vaccination exemptions for medical contraindication
  • UniSC recognises that some students may not be able to be vaccinated or receive a booster dose due to a medical contraindication.
  • If you have been allocated to a site that requires the COVID-19 vaccination and you are unable to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or to receive a booster dose due to a medical contraindication, or you are currently enrolled in a registered Australian COVID-19 vaccination clinical trial, you can contact the Fit for Placement Office to notify them.
  • It is important to know that providing misleading or false evidence of a vaccination or a vaccination exemption may be considered academic misconduct under UniSC’s Student Conduct – Governing Policy.  
If you choose to not be vaccinated
  • UniSC supports your right to make an informed choice regarding COVID-19 vaccination. However, as an education provider, the University does not have the authority to waive the requirements set out by a facility hosting a student for placement.
  • If you are enrolled in a program with compulsory placement that requires COVID-19 vaccination, but choose not to be vaccinated or to receive a booster dose, you should organise to speak with a UniSC Program Adviser to discuss your options. 

Safe and respectful behaviour
  • The UniSC Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students. Under the Student Charter, you are expected to respect the safety and wellbeing of others, and to refrain from behaviour that could reasonably be considered unsafe, intimidating, harassing or bullying, or disruptive to other members of the UniSC community.
  • In the context of COVID-19, this means following all advice and directives from UniSC and Queensland Health. It also means treating your fellow students and UniSC staff with professionalism and respect.
  • UniSC understands that this is a stressful and uncertain time, and that COVID-19 has disrupted many students’ placements, studies and lives. Staff are doing everything they can to support students, but it is important to understand that many factors, such as government directives and/or regulations, are outside the University’s control.
  • Please remember to be kind to yourself and others, and to act with professionalism and respect when liaising with UniSC staff. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please ensure you take advantage of the support services available to you at UniSC.
Support during COVID-19

COVID-19 continues to impact us all in different ways. If you have concerns about your academic or personal circumstances, there are many ways UniSC can support you.

For general information about COVID-19, visit COVID-19 information for students.