Higher degree by research (HDR) and other research students immunisation requirements
Depending on your research activities, you may be required to provide documentation to demonstrate immunity or screening for vaccine preventable disease (VPD).
What immunisations do I need?
Your immunisation requirements will depend on the research you do and the environments you do them in.
If you don't have any specific research-related requirements specified below, you can protect yourself by completing the current National Immunisation Program Schedule as recommended by the Australian Government Department of Health.
You're encouraged to keep your COVID-19 vaccinations up to date.
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A summary of the immunisation requirements according to position or type of work being performed can be found here:
These immunisation requirements refer to you if you have regular patient contact in Queensland Health or similar clinical facilities.
Be aware of any follow-up or additional vaccination/screening requirements for the duration of your research project. You must report any change to your immunisation or infectious disease status that might put you or others at risk (e.g. for healthcare worker students).
What do I need to do?
1. Complete your immunisation evidence documentation
Discuss your immunisation or disease screening requirements for your research tasks with your principal advisor, supervisor or safety network staff. As research activities change, risk assessments must include consideration of any relevant immunisation requirements.
- Print a blank copy of the UQ healthcare worker - infectious disease screening and vaccination record (PDF, 263.6 KB).
- Take the form to your registered medical practitioner or the UQ Occupational Physician for completion. Ensure you take your personal immunisation records to your appointment.
- Complete the Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Form for Students (PDF, 575.8 KB). See the UQ Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Information Sheet (PDF, 386.4 KB) for further information.
Be aware of the time frames for completing mandatory requirements. It can take up to 7 months to complete a hepatitis B requirement if you have not had any hepatitis B vaccinations in the past. Action outstanding requirements with your medical practitioner as early as possible and prior to risk of exposure. Failure to complete mandatory immunisation requirements may affect or delay your ability to commence research activities.
Discuss costs with your principal advisor or safety network staff. Your organisational unit may assist with the cost.
2. Submit your immunisation evidence
Your principal advisor, supervisor or safety network staff will initiate a ‘Student Immunisation Evidence Request’ to your my.UQ dashboard. You'll receive an email which provides a link to upload your immunisation statement or signed medical document.
Upload completed records by the task due date, even if you haven't completed all requirements by this date.
Your records will be assessed and securely stored by the IRT.
Your principal advisor or supervisor will be notified of your compliance status via the my.UQ system.
Helpful tips
- You can also access the immunisation evidence process via the ‘Notifications’ section of your my.UQ dashboard.
- Upload all documents together where possible. If your document is too large for a single upload, try compressing the documentation.
- If file size is still too large, you can upload documents separately prior to pressing “submit”.
- Once you press submit, you won’t be able to upload additional documents until the IRT verify your first upload and return the task to you.
- Make sure you keep a copy of your medical documentation for your own records.
- You will be able to access your immunisation records in my.UQ while still employed at UQ.
Processing timeframes
Allow at least a week for your records to be assessed once you have submitted them.
These immunisation requirements refer to you if your research involves:
- childhood education and care
- laboratory work or interaction with human or zoonotic infectious pathogens
- interaction with wastewater, sewage, or soil
- interaction with animals or in agricultural environments
- involvement in mortuary tasks
- research related travel or fieldwork activities.
Be aware of any follow-up or additional vaccination/screening requirements for the duration of your research project. You must report any change to your immunisation or infectious disease status that might put you or others at risk (e.g. for healthcare worker students).
What do I need to do?
1. Complete your immunisation evidence documentation
Discuss immunisation or disease screening requirements for your research tasks with your principal advisor, supervisor or safety network staff.
Make an appointment with a registered medical practitioner or the UQ Occupational Physician (07 3365 6210) to complete any outstanding requirements. Ensure you take your personal immunisation records to your appointment.
Be aware of the time frames for completing mandatory requirements. It can take up to 7 months to complete a hepatitis B requirement if you have not had any hepatitis B vaccinations in the past. Action outstanding requirements with your medical practitioner as early as possible and prior to risk of exposure. Failure to complete mandatory immunisation requirements may affect or delay your ability to commence research activities.
Discuss costs with your principal advisor or safety network staff. Your organisational unit may assist with the cost.
2. Submit your immunisation evidence
Your principal advisor, supervisor or safety network staff will initiate a ‘Student Immunisation Evidence Request’ to your my.UQ dashboard. You'll receive an email which provides a link to upload your forms.
Upload completed records by the task due date, even if you haven’t completed all requirements by this date.
Your records will be assessed and securely stored by the Immunisation Records Team (IRT).
Your supervisor will be notified of your compliance status via the my.UQ system.
Helpful tips
- You can also access the immunisation evidence process via the ‘Notifications’ section of your my.UQ dashboard.
- Upload all documents together where possible. If your document is too large for a single upload, try compressing the documentation.
- If file size is still too large, you can upload documents separately prior to pressing “submit”.
- Once you press submit, you won’t be able to upload additional documents until the IRT verify your first upload and return the task to you.
- Make sure you keep a copy of your medical documentation for your own records.
- You will be able to access your immunisation records in my.UQ while still employed at UQ.
Processing timeframes
Allow at least a week for your records to be assessed once you have submitted them.
Getting support
Questions should be directed to your supervisor or safety network staff for your area.
Immunisation questions should be directed to your medical practitioner (GP) or the UQ Immunisation Records Team (IRT) immunisation@uq.edu.au.
Further information is available in the:
Visit the Australian Immunisation Handbook for more detailed information about vaccine preventable disease.
Initiating requests
View guidelines on how to initiate a request (staff login required)