Coronavirus advice and information for AEU members

The coronavirus (COVID) pandemic is presenting unique and rapidly evolving challenges to all those working in public education. Your health and safety is the AEU’s highest priority at this time.

Find the latest School Operations Guide here (DET login required.)

Find the latest DET information for schools here.

The department’s COVID-19 hotline is 1800 338 663.

For students and staff at Victoria’s universities, TAFEs and other training and adult education providers, it is strongly recommended that:

• Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for 5 days and not return to onsite work or study until they are no longer symptomatic.
• Any person who has symptoms, but has not tested positive, should not attend their place of work or study until they are no longer symptomatic.

Universities, TAFEs and other training and adult education providers are encouraged to support staff and students who have tested positive to COVID-19, or are symptomatic, to work and study from home.

Face masks

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19, for at least 7 days after a positive test, when they need to leave home.

In addition, students and staff who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so with TAFEs and other adult education providers encouraged to continue to make face masks available to staff, students and visitors where possible.

COVID-19 vaccinations and COVIDSafe Plans

The end of the pandemic declaration will not affect the powers which currently exist under OH&S laws that enable employers to require workers to show evidence of COVID-19 vaccination in order to return to the workplace. Employers are still able to determine which measures are most appropriate to keep their workplaces protected against COVID-19.

Every Victorian business or organisation with on-site operations should continue to keep, regularly review and update a COVIDSafe Plan as appropriate.

Schools

Vaccination

The vaccine mandate has ceased for principals, teachers, administration and education support staff, including casual relief teachers (CRTs) and pre-service teachers. 

Close contact rules

The government has provided an exemption for school staff who are household contacts and who are asymptomatic to return to work during the home isolation period. The AEU does not support the close contact exemption, as attendance at work by affected school staff is likely to increase the risk of transmission and potentially compromise the safety of the school community. Members who are deemed a close contact and who are asymptomatic are advised to remain in isolation for the full period required, rather than return to work. 

COVID safety measures

Strong COVID-Safe measures – including ventilation, vaccination and other measures – will be in place to protect school communities and ensure schools can stay open.

More on safety measures here.

Early childhood

It is strongly recommended that children:

• who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for 5 days
• should not attend ECEC services after 5 days if still symptomatic
• who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend ECEC services.

Parents and carers should advise the service of the child’s COVID-19 positive test result.

Where children become symptomatic at an ECEC service they should:

• be collected by their parents or carers
• undergo testing for COVID-19.

It is strongly recommended that staff:

• who test positive to COVID-19 stay home and isolate for 5 days
• should not attend after 5 days if still symptomatic
• who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend the service
• advise their service of the positive test.

Quick links for specific information below:

Find the latest DET information for early childhood here

Outbreak management communications kit

Kinder ventilation support funding

Vaccination

The vaccine mandate has ceased for those working in education settings. Parents, carers and other adult visitors who are not onsite to work are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of the vaccine.

TAFE & Adult Provision

Face masks

Find the latest DET information for TAFE here.

More information

AEU member emails

Schools

Read more

Early childhood

Read more

TAFE and Adult Provision

Read more

All members

Read more

Victorian State Government advice

Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Education and Training advice
Victorian TAFE Association

Other advice

If members have specific inquiries, they should email [email protected] or contact the AEU directly on 1800 AEU VIC (1800 238 842). Due to high demand, there could be a delay in replying to emails - however, we are working to respond as quickly as possible.

The union will update advice to members as the situation changes.