Fieldwork and Travel

Updated: April 2026

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

Off-campus Travel

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 for Off-Campus Activities

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 Travel

Staff can refer to UniTravel for:

  • Travel bookings
  • Advice and support

Insurance

  • Staff: refer to Insurance for travel cover details
  • Students: refer to the Insurance under Student Support and Wellbeing

International Travel

High-Risk Destinations

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)

Travel Guidance

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

Risk Assessment

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.

Risk Management System (ERMS):

  • The University uses ERMS (Enterprise Risk Management System) for risk assessments
  • Accessible to anyone with a University login
  • Paper forms can be used if ERMS is unavailable and uploaded later - this can be found on the right hand side of the page

Additional Travel Advisory Sources:

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.

Requirements

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.

Scientific diving requirements

Fieldwork - Guidance

Travel - Guidance

Travel advice