A group of 24 students has been kicked out of Melbourne University's Trinity College for the rest of semester after breaching physical-distancing rules at an "unauthorised gathering" on Monday.
Students who had stayed at the college from March 25 to May 13 were not allowed to leave campus for any reason except urgent medical care.
The college last week began accepting more students back after Victoria relaxed the state's coronavirus restrictions under strict conditions, including having a negative COVID-19 test result and adhering to physical-distancing guidelines.
"I am disappointed that some of our students did not observe the rules that are currently in place. These rules were introduced for their safety and that of our community," Trinity College warden and chief executive Ken Hinchcliff said in a statement.
"Reassuringly, the majority of our students have complied with our social distancing requirements that have allowed Trinity College to continue to provide an essential residential service to our students in a safe environment.
"Many of our current students in residence are from overseas or remote Indigenous communities with nowhere else to go."
The college said students who had been asked to leave will be allowed back for semester two.
Trinity said they would also have access to "comprehensive academic and wellbeing support programs" while not on campus.
The ABC understands most of the 24 students are from Melbourne.
Melbourne University has 10 on-campus residential colleges, and Trinity College bills itself as offering "strong academic programs and a clear focus on supporting students to success".
It costs students a minimum of $31,955 per year to stay at Trinity.
Most students have paid fees upfront, but the students will get a credit for the food and services they will not be using.
