FAQs

Graduate House COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions and Updates

COVID-19 Latest update – 28th October, 2021

The Victorian government announced that from 11:59PM on Thursday 28th October, 2021 restrictions will be eased further as part of the COVIDSafe – How we live: Information for Victorian’s plan in metropolitan and regional Victoria.

In summary:

  • There are no travel restrictions from your home (‘home’ for those living at Graduate House is your room) with travel permitted throughout the whole of Victoria – no change.
  • Face masks:
    • Must be carried at all times.
    • Mandatory when inside shopping centres, retail stores inside shopping centres, department stores, electronics stores, furniture stores, hardware stores or supermarkets, when travelling on public transport or when travelling in a commercial passenger vehicle (unless a lawful exemption applies).
    • Recommended, but not mandatory, when leaving home and physical distancing cannot be maintained, for example, wh.
  • You can meet in a group of up to 100 people outdoors from any number of households.

To see a full list of restrictions for the COVIDSafe – How we live: Information for Victorians, click here.

Visitors, only if they are fully vaccinated or have an approved medical exemption, are allowed at Graduate House and in rooms. If possible, please spend your time with visitors in open areas of Graduate House. For contact tracing purposes, please ensure that all visitors report to Graduate House Reception during office hours, outside of office hours please ensure so that their contact details can be recorded using the QR code located at the main entrance or Reception.

It is critical that we continue to keep at least 2 metres apart if passing in a corridor and that we practise good hygiene. Gatherings in small spaces, particularly in residential rooms, increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.  See the State Government’s full list of restricted activities direction here. Police can issue fines for non-compliance with these restrictions.

Please check this FAQ page regularly – we are attempting to keep this as up to date as possible – and feel free to telephone reception on +61 3 9347 3428 on weekdays.

 

Consular and University assistance for international students

If any overseas residents, either in Australia or currently overseas, need any help, please register for consular assistance (help and advice provided by the diplomatic agents of a country to citizens of that country who are living or traveling overseas) by visiting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website for Australian embassies and consulates overseas and foreign embassies and consulates in Australia.

Study in Australia  – for information on education, health, visas and travel.

Study Melbourne – for information for international students regarding COVID-19.

Smart Traveller – for travel advice and information for Temporary Visa holders and international students.

Information from your university of enrolment or employment about COVID-19 may be found here. Most of our residents are enrolled or working at The University of Melbourne and RMIT so we suggest going to the following links for each.

The University of Melbourne – particularly the online community page and the page called Updates and advice for students which shows:

  • the new 2022 calendar;
  • health and wellbeing services (medical, counselling, psychological) that are available on appointment; and
  • strategies for managing stress and anxiety, and for keeping healthy and fit.

RMIT – particularly the page called Frequently asked questions which shows:

  • the changes to important dates;
  • how to stay healthy, well and safe during this uncertain time;
  • how to ask for financial support from the Emergency Financial Grant or the Technology Grant (up to $1,000); and

the numbers to call if you are in crisis (RMIT: 1300 305 707; Lifeline: 13 11 14; Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636; Suicide Call Back: 1300 659 467).

Health and COVID-19

Follow the latest update on COVID-19 in Australia on the Australian Government’s Health Department website.

What do I do if I suspect I have symptoms of Covid-19?

Stay calm and, obviously, stay in your room.

The COVID-19 helpline is 1800 020 080.

We suggest first giving us a call at reception and asking to speak to the General Manager. He will call back as soon as possible to check if you are ok and ask you a few questions.

If there is no answer at reception, or if you cannot get through, please email: admingh@graduatehouse.com.au (weekdays) or om@graduatehouse.com.au (weekends).

If you are advised to go for a test, please let us know so that we can arrange for you to leave the residency safely.

Free COVID-19 Tests

COVID-19 testing criteria has been expanded by the Victorian Government to include mild symptoms. Students and staff in residential accommodation – even those with no symptoms – are able to participate in testing. Free voluntary testing for students and staff is available at the  University of Melbourne Health Service. Currently Melbourne University Testing Clinic (Walk through or Walk-in Clinic), Tin Alley, Parkville Campus. Hours Monday to Sunday: 8.15am to 5.45pm.

The test:

  • involves looking for the virus in a sample, usually collected from the back of your throat and nose;
  • usually just involves a swab being taken and generally takes less than a minute; and
  • results are sent to a laboratory to see if you have coronavirus (COVID-19). You will be contacted with your results.

To undertake a test, please contact the Health Service on 8344 6904 or book through the online booking system or book through the online app, Appointuit. It is essential to book an appointment to avoid crowding at the clinic.

You will have all signed the COVID-19 Declaration form – so please remember to inform Graduate House reception within ONE HOUR if:

  • you become ill with COVID-19 related symptoms (dry cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, tiredness, aches and pains, sore throat, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, headache, loss of taste or smell, skin rash, discoloration of fingers and toes)
  • a medical professional request(s) that you undertake a COVID-19 test
  • you are tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19
  • you become aware of the need to self-quarantine while staying at Graduate House
  • you become aware of the need to self-quarantine within 14 days of your stay.

What happens to the rest of us if someone in the college is tested positive?

We hope that all the measures that we have put in place at Graduate House will protect us all – residents and staff – from COVID-19.

Thank you all for being a part of the solutions that will prevent this virus from spreading through our community. We know that you are all doing a great job. And if you are not, you know that the General Manager of College and staff will implement swift and strong measures on behalf of us all. We will only be as strong as our weakest link. Anyone who is not strictly adhering to these measures will be required to leave residency.

If anyone in Graduate House tests positive for COVID-19 we will be informed immediately.

This advice will come from Victoria’s Health Authority.

The Health Authority will then step in to work with Graduate House so that the ill resident is cared for and so that the virus is contained and does not spread further.

Of course, Graduate House will act swiftly and appropriately to follow the advice of the Health Authority and to inform and protect you all.

Social distancing and self-isolation

All residents are to maintain social distancing, of 2 metres, whenever possible.  Wearing of masks is recommended if this can not be maintained.

If a resident wishes to self-isolate due to flu like symptoms, but has received a negative COVID-19 result, please let Reception know and meals can be delivered to your room.

Hand Sanitisers

Currently, there are many hand sanitisers around Graduate House.

Please use the contactless sanitisers before going into the lifts – cup your hands underneath and wait a few seconds.

Please remember that the most effective method for cleaning your hands is to wash with soap and water (please watch the numerous videos on this to do it properly).

 

Meals

Breakfast and Dinner

The dining room guidelines are:

  • Collection of trays and cutlery is from the servery.
  • Residents can now have their meal at any time, for a maximum sitting time of one hour. 
  • All meals are encouraged to be consumed in the dining room.  Any meals taken to rooms and asked for prompt return of trays, cutlery and crockery to the servery.
  • Seven breakfasts and five dinners per week
  • If requested and only for the purposes of contact tracing, your first name and a telephone number will be provided to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
  •  

Breakfasts – maximum of one hour:
Monday to Friday 7:30AM – 8:30AM

Dinners – maximum of one hour:
Monday to Friday 6:00PM – 7:30PM

Lunch

Please order from our online takeaway menu – available Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm.

For residents in the terraces and central wing, there is a microwave in the preparation area near the resident kitchen in the terraces. These are for use ONLY by residents in the terraces and residents in the central wing.

There must be only ONE person at a time in the preparation area. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after use. All surfaces (including inside the microwaves) must be cleaned after each use.

All other residents have kitchens in their rooms and are not to use the terrace resident kitchen or preparation area.

Tea, Coffee and Snacks (delivered to your room)

Tea, barista-made coffee and snacks are now available from our online takeaway menu – available Monday to Friday.

Your beverages and snacks will be delivered to your room, except for Barry Street and Barkly Place residents who will need to pick up their order from Graduate House.

Tea and barista-made coffee will be available Monday to Friday from 7:30AM to 5PM.

Take-away orders (from other restaurants)

Residents who have ordered take-away food through delivery companies, such as Uber Eats, must pick up their orders outside the building (facing the park, outside the glass doors) in front of Graduate House Reception.

When ordering the delivery, advise all delivery personnel to wait outside Graduate House for you to collect your food.

When it is delivered, tell the delivery person to place the delivery on the ground outside and to step away.

Place all rubbish from the packaging into a sealed garbage bag. Thoroughly clean all surfaces in your room that the packaging has touched.

Housekeeping

In-room cleaning has now restarted to be provided at Graduate House.

Any resident wishing to continue to clean their room themselves will be provided with cleaning products, be required to leave your bagged waste and linen outside your rooms on designated days, and make your own beds. Clean linen will be provided to those rooms where linen has been put outside the room.

Cleaning of rooms will be per the current cleaning schedule (8:00-11:30AM each day): 

  • Monday – Main Building 2nd and 3rd floors
  • Tuesday – Main Building 1st floor
  • Wednesday – 50 Barry Street and 24 Barkly Place
  • Thursday – William Berry Wing Terraces
  • Friday – Stella Langford Wing

On Cleaning day when staff are in your room, we ask all resident to open their window and turn on their fan to promote good airflow.  We also ask residents to exit the room while the cleaning is in progress.

Please see self-help videos to assist in your self-cleaning

 

We ask that you maintain the cleanliness of your room during this period of time – it is important for your health and safety to ensure that this is done thoroughly and regularly.

Laundry

The laundries at Graduate House are open Monday to Friday from 9.00AM to 5.00PM. They are not open on weekends which means that you too can take a break from your housekeeping.

There is strict control of entry and exit to these laundries through Graduate House Reception.

Follow these steps to use the Graduate House laundries:

  1. Book the time that you want to use the laundry via the online laundry booking form. Please ensure that you only use the laundry in the time slot that you have booked.
  2. The machines now have paypass payment options available, but still accept coins as well.
  3. Staff will open the laundry for you.
  4. Once the washing cycle is complete. You must sanitise the washing machine after using.
  5. Once the dryer cycle is complete. You must sanitise the dryer after using.
  6. Sanitising the washing machine and dryer after use will be at the direction of Graduate House Reception staff. All cleaning materials will be provided.

Outside laundries

The laundries at Barkly Place and Barry Street are managed by Owners Corporations. We have asked for strict access and sanitisation controls, as these laundries are used by many other people.

Common Areas

Resident kitchen in the terrace wing

The Residents’ kitchen is open from 10.00AM to 7.00PM.

This kitchen is for use only by residents in the terrace and central wings. All other residents have kitchens.

  1. Write the time of your booking on the sheet pasted on the kitchen door (washing hands before and after using the pen); and
  2. Collect the key to the kitchen door from Graduate House Reception on weekdays or from the Duty Resident on weekends. Do not impose extra opening hours on the Duty Resident.
  3. When using the kitchen Residents MUST adhere to the following conditions:
  • ONE person at a time in the kitchen;
  • The kitchen door is to be CLOSED while cooking so that no person is tempted to come inside to sample your excellent cuisine
  • The kitchen window is to be opened;
  • Use the kitchen for a maximum of ONE hour;
  • This ONE hour is to include your cooking AND your cleaning time;
  • Residents MUST clean the kitchen after use (instructions are in the kitchen);
  • Failure to clean the kitchen properly will result in you being banned from future kitchen use OR closure of the kitchen for future use by all;
  • When you have finished, inform reception (weekdays) or the Duty Resident (weekends) so that the kitchen door can be locked until the next booking.

Other common areas

One person at a time may use the preparation room near the resident kitchen in the terraces. Before entering this area, the resident is to clean their hands with soap and water.

After use of kettles, microwaves, benches, taps, sinks, fridges, etc. the resident must clean and sanitise every surface that is touched or breathed over.

Other common areas are now open to be used – this includes the library, the MV Anderson room, the games room and the central wing dining hall.  Social distancing is requested as all times.

We ask is resident wish to gather, please do so in the Dining Room or an area that promotes and social distancing. 

Only vaccinated persons are permitted to be on Graduate House grounds and facilities.

Mail and Parcels

The delivery address for mail and parcels is:

Graduate House
220 Leicester Street
Carlton VIC 3053
Australia

All parcels or mail is to be collected from Reception during their opening times – Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm.

For parcels, you may receive a notification email from your delivery service stating that your parcel has been delivered to Graduate House.

If we have received your parcel at Graduate House, we will send you an email to notify you of receipt.

If you receive a Drop-off Notice from Australia Post, you will need to pick up your parcel from the Post Office specified on the notice. Usually this will be the Carlton Post Office. Don’t forget to take your ID (Identification) to the Post Office to pick up your parcel.

Please note that parcels and mail are taking much longer to arrive than usual.

Work Opportunities

If you are looking for work in Victoria, you can register your details on the Working for Victoria website to access new work opportunities. This initiative is part of the Economic Survival Package designed to connect workers with opportunities that will help our community and contribute to Victoria’s ability to respond to the pandemic. International students who are legally allowed to work in Victoria are also eligible to register for this program.

Meal delivery feedback form