Respirator fit testing is a validated method to determine whether a specific make, model and size of respirator achieves an adequate seal on an individual's face. If the respirator does not fit properly, the wearer will not get the expected level of protection.

USC requires quantitative fit testing to ensure the effectiveness of the required seal.

It is a requirement that all students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting be fit tested annually.

If this requirement applies to your placement, it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online.

USC is required to maintain evidence of your fit test results in Sonia and provide these to a health facility prior to you commencing placement.

Uploading evidence of your fit test to Sonia

Upon completion of your fit test, you will receive a test result card which is valid for 12 months. A copy of this card will need to be uploaded to Sonia. If you have not uploaded your evidence into Sonia before your placement commences, your placement will be cancelled.

Taking your fit test card to placement

You must also take your fit test result card with you to your placement each day.

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, some health facilities are currently experiencing shortages of respirators and other PPE.

In order to maintain your safety, while on placement shifts you must only wear a respirator for which you have been fit tested. If a health facility is unable to provide you with an approved fit tested respirator, you will be unable to attend your allocated placement shifts until one is available.

This may impact your progression while clinical placements are subject to current Queensland Government directions.

For students undertaking placement in a residential aged care setting (outside of a hospital service)

In residential aged care settings, you are required to wear PPE in line with the individual facility’s requirements. This may not include wearing a fit tested respirator for the full duration of your placement shift.

Generally, students are not permitted to provide their own respirators.

For students undertaking the Midwifery CONNECT program

Due to the unscheduled nature of CONNECT activities, in certain circumstances you may be able to provide your own respirator. This will be determined by the health facility you are entering.

To book your fit test: 

*No payment is required*

1. Log into Student Hub
2. Visit “Learning”
3. Book appointment under "Mask Fit Testing"
4. Complete the booking process for the appointment based on your discipline
5. Read the appointment instructions in your confirmation email

You must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit.

AS/NZS 1715:2009 provides guidance in relation to beards, moustaches, sideburns, stubble growth and long hair. (See also the CDC guide on Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators.) Other factors that may interfere with facial seal include jewellery, facial makeup and creams.

For more information, view I have a beard and/or facial hair. Will this impact my fit test?

You must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit.

AS/NZS 1715:2009 provides guidance in relation to beards, moustaches, sideburns, stubble growth and long hair. (See also the CDC guide on Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators.) Other factors that may interfere with facial seal include jewellery, facial makeup and creams.

Where a student is unable to be clean shaven, a fit test cannot be performed.

Students will need to ensure they are clean shaven for every clinical placement shift.

At this stage, Queensland Health does not allow for exemptions to this requirement for religious or other reasons. Should you decide not to undertake fit testing at this time, you may be required to unenroll from your clinical placement course. We recommend you book an appointment with a USC Program Adviser to discuss your options and program progression.

Quantitative fit testing must be provided by a certified fit tester, and costs can vary depending on which provider conducts your test. Your annual fit test (when organised through UniSC) is currently free for all students.

You can source your own quantitative fit testing from an alternative organisation at your own cost; however, you must be fitted to an approved respirator and the fit test must be conducted by a certifier fit tester. Failure to do this would result in you needing to repeat the fit test process.

Your fit test is valid for 12 months.

If you have been have been quantitatively fit tested by a certified fit tester for a respirator that is available for student clinical placements in the health facility you are attending, you will be able to proceed to placement. You must upload evidence of your fit test result into Sonia and have it cleared by USC prior to your placement commencing.

You must always have a valid fit test card. If your fit test is due to expire during your placement, you must ensure that a new fit test is completed prior to the placement commencing.

Annual fit testing is a requirement for all students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting. Should you decide not to undertake fit testing at this time, you may be required to unenroll from your clinical placement course. We recommend you book an appointment with a USC Program Adviser to discuss your options and program progression.

If you fail a fit test, you will be required to continue to test on subsequent respirator(s) until a successful fit is found. If you are not able to obtain a successful fit test result, you will be unable to proceed to placement, and may be required to unenroll from your clinical placement course. In this case, you should book an appointment with a USC Program Adviser to discuss your options and program progression.