Ceremony proceedings

To allow for pre-ceremony registration, regalia fittings and photographs, we ask graduates to arrive at least two hours before their graduation ceremony. 

If you’re running late, please call us on 03 9244 6333 to let us know. If you don’t arrive in time, you won’t be allowed to take part in the ceremony. 

Doors are open for guests to be seated 15 minutes before the ceremony commences.

Every graduate receives two guest tickets as part of their graduation package. If you need to buy any extra tickets on the day, the venue’s box office sells unsold tickets for last-minute guests.

Graduates need to bring along their student ID (or another form of legal identification) to the registration desk. Once you're registered, you'll be fitted for your regalia.

The registration desk will close 30 minutes before the ceremony begins.

If you elect to attend your graduation ceremony you will be required to wear the academic regalia which represents the course you are graduating from at that ceremony.

You should wear smart, neat or professional clothing as a minimum dress standard. Shorts, jeans, t-shirts, thongs, bare feet or joggers aren't considered appropriate.

The regalia is a little heavy, so make sure you take off suit jackets or any heavy layers before your robe fitting.

After registering, graduates will be fitted with the following regalia according to their award: 

• Gown
• Coloured hood
• Trencher or bonnet

Once the ceremony has finished, all academic dress will need to be returned to the registration area. 

If the regalia is not returned within an hour of the ceremony finishing, you’ll be invoiced for the full cost of the outfit.

The style of the gown, colour of the hood and type of trencher or bonnet worn depends upon the award you have received. When attending a ceremony, the graduation fee includes the hire of your academic regalia.

Categories of the gown for your award are shown below:

Ceremony programs will be available to graduates and guests on the day. Each program details the order of ceremonies, and lists what time and where each student will graduate. The average ceremony duration is 1.5 hours.

On the day, graduates need to be sitting in their assigned seats at least 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. 

Guests can sit wherever they like as their seating isn't assigned. As a guest, if you’re bringing along a child who is under the age of three, they can sit on your lap.

• MC opens the ceremony.
• Guest speaker addresses the graduands.
• Official conferral of awards.
• Chancellor presents graduates with their testamurs (graduation documents).
• Student responds on behalf of all graduates. 
• Vice-Chancellor delivers the closing address.
• Musical guest performance.
• Conclusion of the ceremony.
• Post-ceremony function.