This page provides advice to parents and school communities about COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in 2022.
Vaccination Requirements - Mainstream schools
From Saturday 25 June, all school staff (including principals, teachers, administration and education support staff, including casual relief teachers (CRT’s), pre-service teachers, and Outside School Hours Care staff), volunteers, contractors and visitors are no longer required to meet COVID-19 vaccination requirements to attend work.
Vaccination Requirements - Specialist schools
There are no changes regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements for staff in specialist schools as mandatory vaccination remains in place for those working with vulnerable people.
Masks at school
It is strongly recommended that masks be worn where appropriate to do so. Current advice from the Victorian Government on the wearing of face masks is available here:https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks: It states:
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Wearing a face mask can help protect you and those around you.
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Face masks stop droplets spreading when you talk, cough, sneeze and laugh, which lowers your chance of spreading or catching the virus.
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It is strongly recommended for the wearing of face masks in indoor settings (noting that exceptions to the recommendation apply to teaching circumstances when clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential).
- Everyone, including students aged 8 years and above must wear a face mask when travelling on public transport, taxis or ride share vehicles. Household contacts attending school who are over 8 years of age are required to wear face masks indoors unless they have a valid exception.
Household Contacts
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Students and staff who are household contacts of a COVID-19 case are no longer required to quarantine. They can return to school as long as they undertake rapid antigen tests (RAT) 5 times within their 7-day period and wear face masks indoors if they are aged 8 and above unless they have a valid exemption. If any household contact returns a positive RAT result during this period, they must isolate for 7 days and not attend school.
RAT screeing program continuation
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The Victorian Government is providing up to three further deliveries of rapid antigen tests in Term 3 and again in Term 4 to schools. It is recommended that rapid antigen tests are used by students and staff when symptomatic.
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If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health system (Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398.
Vaccination requirements for visitors to schools
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Parents, carers and other adult visitors (not performing work) are no longer required to show evidence of two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
Community use of school facilities
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Schools will no longer need to request evidence of vaccination of staff or workers from external community groups who use premises outside the school’s normal operating hours.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline
The Department of Education and Training’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline is available from 8am - 6pm, 7 days a week (excluding public holidays) 1800 675 398.
Latest Advice
The latest information on the restrictions issued by the Victorian Government is available from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website.
Translation Resources
Translated information about coronavirus: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Current as of 15 August, 2022
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