Mask Fit Testing
MDHS is changing how fit testing is supported for students. From 2026, students will arrange their own fit testing with an external provider and eligible students may apply for a faculty-funded grant to help offset the cost.
Important: Your placement provider should be your first point of contact if fit testing is available through them. The grant is intended for eligible students whose placement providers that cannot provide fit testing.
What is it?
What do I need?
How long will it take?
A fit test is a method for checking that a tight-fitting respirator facepiece suitably seals and protects you from any airborne particles. In your fit test appointment, you will try on multiple types of P2/N95 respirators that are commonly used in health services, and a machine will generate particles and test the seal of each respirator.
Some students are required to be fit tested for common P2/N95 respirators before attending clinical placement in health services and residential aged care facilities. Similarly, students based in settings where exposure to high-risk COVID patients is likely will also need to be fit tested prior to commencing placement.
Because some placements are not deemed high risk or have N95/P2 masks mandated, it is best to confirm with your placement team if fit testing applies to you. In saying this, if the check is mandated in Sonia, then you should assume the fit test will be required.
Requirements
Book a fit testing appointment as soon as you are able. Fit test results are valid for one year. If you wait until the last minute, you might find it difficult to secure an appointment.
Placement providers should be the first point of contact for being fit tested, but if you are going on placement for the first time, this can be challenging.
Please ensure you read the Fit Testing Student Guide and are aware of the preparation requirements. If you fail to appropriately prepare for your test, you may be turned away and asked to rebook (creating a delay).
Booking an appointment
You can book your appointment online with an external fit testing provider, FitTest Victoria (offering a discounted rate for UOM students), using the links below for your preferred location:
- Alternatively, you can source a RESP-FIT accredited fit tester on your own. The best way to do this is via the Find a Fit Tester database.
Clinical Placement Mask Fit Testing Grant
The https://scholarships.unimelb.edu.au/awards/clinical-placement-mask-fit-test-grant is offered to students who are undertaking student placements and have a compliance requirement to obtain a mask fit test. The grant helps eligible students offset the cost of external fit testing.
Follow the testing requirements
Regardless of where you get your fit test done, the preparation requirements are the same. You must arrive at your appointment: clean-shaven, not have eaten (this includes not chewing gum), not consumed liquids (except water) or smoked/vaped at least 20 minutes prior to being tested.
If you are unable to shave/remove facial hair to have your fit test done, further information can be found here:
Fit Test Victoria are offering Singh-Thatta testing if that is applicable to you. You can find more information here.
Prior to booking appointments with external fit testers, please confirm that the Singh-Thatta technique is available.
Evidence
In order to clear this check, you must provide evidence of being successfully fitted for at least two masks, as recommended by the Victorian Respiratory Protection Program.
After completion of your fit test, you should upload evidence of completion of a fit test. This can be a fit test certificate or card that verifies the date of the fit test or expiry, your name, and the recommended makes or models (Two Masks) specific to you. Requirements for evidence must align with the Department of Health Fit Testing reporting protocols and include:
- Your name
- The date of the fit test
- The recommended mask make, model and size specific to you
- The overall fit factor result
- Details of fit tester (or organisation)
MDHS fit testing expiry requirement
For MDHS pre-placement compliance, mask fit testing expires 12 months from the date of testing.
MDHS does not accept fit testing evidence older than 12 months, even if an external fit testing provider states that the result is valid for up to 24 months.
Students must complete a new fit test once the 12-month expiry period has passed in order to be cleared for placement.
More details
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If you have only passed one fit test mask, do not stress. Your check will be set to missing information and you should contact your placement staff for further guidance. Do not have another fit test until you have spoken to your placement team. It may not be necessary, and we do not want anyone to incur additional costs if it is not required.
Ready to submit your documents? Go to Sonia.
Still have questions? Contact the MDHS Student Hub.