Victoria University staff can easily work remotely from home or elsewhere using a range of well-established remote communication tools.
Set up access to necessary systems and services to work remotely.
Victoria University staff can easily work remotely from home or elsewhere using a range of well-established remote communication tools.
Set up access to necessary systems and services to work remotely.
Access applications and files from home with these tools and resources.
Office 365 is the key to accessing your staff email and other Microsoft applications from your computer, laptop or mobile. You only need an internet connection to access your applications and files – no need to use the VPN service.
Go to http://myoffice.vu.edu.au and log in using your Staff ID and password e.g. e1234567@vu.edu.au (not your personal Microsoft Account log in details) to access:
You can use Jabber for calls and voicemail using only your computer and an internet connection. Jabber is installed on University computers and allows you to:
You can also download Jabber on your personal computer or device.
Most staff will be able to work remotely without needing to access VPN (virtual private network). Some staff may need to use VPN to connect to certain software or applications while working remotely, for example accessing network drives (e.g. Y drive) while off campus.
If you do need VPN, download the Cisco AnyConnect client from https://vpn.vu.edu.au and follow our VPN installation guide.
Once you have completed your tasks that require a connection to the VU network, please disconnect your session using the VPN client.
If you have any queries about what services or systems require VPN, please contact the IT Customer Service Desk.
Please note:
Use OneDrive to store and access files from any location with an internet connection - no VPN connection required. To access your OneDrive files from home, log in to your Office 365 Portal.
See OneDrive user guides on the ITS Intranet.
To access files and folders stored on VU's network drive (Y drives) while working remotely you will need to connect via VPN, then set up a network drive mapping tool:
Staff can download up to 5 copies of Office 2016 for personal PCs, macs and tablets for free!
Follow the steps to download and install Office 2016 on your personal computer or device.
You can also install Adobe Creative cloud applications on your computer using our installation guide.
For all other software queries, please contact the IT Customer Support Desk.
If you don’t have access to a staff laptop or your computer doesn’t allow you to connect to the University network, you may be able to borrow a VU computer. You'll need the approval of your manager.
The details of relocated IT assets currently need to be added to the University’s Asset Register. Please email the make, model and serial number to vu.assets@vu.edu.au. We don't need the asset tag or network name as applied by the ITS Service Desk at the time of initial deployment.
For Apple Mac users, see the instructions for finding your serial number.
For Microsoft Windows users, the quickest method of obtaining your serial number is to tickle the BIOS directly and see what it says.
You can use Jabber to make and receive video enabled or voice calls to other Jabber users from your desktop or laptop.
You can use either Webex or Zoom to host or attend virtual meetings on any device that is connected to the internet. See our Information Classification Scheme and Media Guidelines on the use of collaboration/communication media for guidance on your choice of video conferencing platform.
Jabber gives you the freedom to collaborate with other staff at VU in a number of ways.
Jabber lets you:
Access Jabber (login required) instructions and FAQ.
You can schedule a Webex meeting directly via the calendar invitation, the Webex Portal, the Webex desktop application or Jabber – refer to guides on the ITS intranet for how to do this.
Click, Connect, Collaborate (login required) has information about Webex, Jabber, Voicemail. Make sure you are not connected to VPN when joining a Webex meeting as this will interfere with your video and sound.
Webex help on ITS intranet:
Zoom is an online video conferencing tool used by Victoria University for remote teaching and training but can also be used to hold virtual meetings.
If you would like to start using Zoom to schedule and join meetings you will first need to sign into the Zoom Web portal and download the Zoom Outlook plug-in and the Zoom desktop application.
Step 1: Install Zoom Outlook plug-in (login required)
Step 2: Download Zoom desktop application.
Find our Zoom guides on the ITS Knowledge Base.
Use the Mac Zoom user guide - includes instruction for installing Zoom and scheduling a meeting.
Make sure you are not connected to VPN when joining a Zoom meeting as this will interfere with your video and sound.
The Chat function in Zoom cannot be used as a phone for making and receiving calls. Instead use Jabber for chat to make and receive calls from your computer.
Follow these controls for the prevention of Zoombombing, the act of uninvited parties entering a Zoom meeting room ID and joining the open meeting.
Zoom meetings allow up to 300 participants. If a meeting or event needs to accommodate more than 300 participants, options are available to expand this limit or hold a Zoom webinar.
Learning and Teaching staff can use Zoom for video communications. Zoom is available in VU Collaborate from the Communications Menu.
Watch how to schedule a Webex meeting and some of the functions available.
Learn how to use Cisco Jabber for messaging, video and voice calling and integration with Webex meetings.
To make your working from home (or working remotely) arrangements as secure as possible, follow these top 6 tips to stay safe online:
See more online safety & security tips and resources to protect yourself and your family online.
Follow these controls for the prevention of Zoombombing, the act of uninvited parties entering a Zoom meeting room ID and joining the open meeting.
See self-help guides and information on the ITS intranet.
The IT Customer Support Desk supports both staff and students.