Fieldwork and Travel

Updated:  May 2025

Fieldwork

Fieldwork is practical work, including experiential learning and research, conducted by staff, students, and others in an external environment rather than in formal teaching environments, laboratories, workshops, or performance spaces controlled by the University, or the University’s partners.

Fieldwork can take many forms and may include:

  • collecting data in the field, conducting experiments, or participating in research projects.
  • conducting interviews, surveys, or participant observation to gather data from individuals.
  • studying ecosystems, and conducting physical assessments.

Fieldwork does NOT include:

  • inter-campus travel
  • meetings off-site
  • attendance at conferences
  • work integrated learning, including student placements in host workplaces

Guide

Templates

Travel Off-campus

All University-related travel is governed by the following policies:

People travelling on University-related business (including fieldwork, conferences) are expected to behave appropriately at all times. Appropriate behaviour is governed by the following policies:

Refer to the University Safer Community Program website that promotes a respectful and inclusive University community. The Safer Community Program provides support and advice to members of the University of Melbourne community about inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour.

Requirements

Travel and off-campus requirements

Off campus activities include any University supervised or coordinated route, travel or excursion to an off campus location for the purposes of extracurricular activities. The following forms are available for use:

Booking

Staff can refer to UniTravel for all bookings and further advice.

Insurance

Refer to Insurance for information on travel cover.

International Travel

The University defines a high risk destination based on Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advice levels. Currently the University determines this with the following advisories:

  • Level 3 - Reconsider your need to travel (all regions)
  • Level 4 - Do not travel (all regions)

The University General Counsel provides the following advice to be considered by anyone travelling on university business and supervisors before approving international travel:

Risk Assessment Forms

The Travel to high risk destinations risk assessment form is needed when you are asking for approval to travel to a high risk international destination on University business. When travelling to low risk international destinations, the Travel risk assessment form can be used.

Other sources of travel advisories and alerts:

You can also check out the International Travel Guide, on what you need to know when travelling overseas on University of Melbourne business.

Personal Travel

The University will not approve or provide support for personal travel to high risk destinations.

  1. Travellers undertaking personal international travel are encouraged to review and take into account the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Smartraveller advisories for each intended destination.
  2. Travellers are encouraged to review and consider:
    1. country and region advice; and
    2. their personal circumstances and attributes, including social media presence (including references to University of Melbourne, course, research or other academic pursuit) as relevant to the advisory.
    3. advice for all travellers: https://smartraveller.gov.au/guide/all-travellers/everyone/Pages/advice-for-all-travellers.aspx
  3. Travellers who are citizens or residents of other countries, including dual nationals, are encouraged to review and consider the travel advisories published by the government of the respective countries.
  4. Travellers must not take University of Melbourne assets, including mobile phones, tables and computers, when undertaking personal travel to international destinations.
  5. Travellers undertaking personal travel must not engage in any coursework or research activity associated with their University of Melbourne course and/employment.
  6. Travellers need to arrange travel insurance for any personal travel to high risk destinations which occurs before, after or within any period of authorised university travel.

Scientific Diving

Scientific diving or occupational diving is undertaken to support scientific research or as an educational activity. The University will need to ensure all staff, students, contractors, and other personnel working under the University of Melbourne hold the appropriate qualifications and training.

Health & Safety: Scientific diving requirements

Fieldwork

Travel

Policy