Event information

Everything you need to know about your graduation ceremony including the schedule, venue access, regalia, your moment on stage, post-ceremony celebrations and guest information.

Ceremony schedule

We recommend you familiarise yourself with the ceremony schedule to ensure your day goes smoothly.

Select your ceremony start time to  view the schedule for your ceremony. It is essential that you arrive on time for registration and gowning.

10.00am 11.00am 2.00pm
5.00pm 6.00pm

Graduation venue – Royal Exhibition Building

All December graduation ceremonies will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton Gardens, a World Heritage Listed landmark. The Royal Exhibition Building at Carlton Gardens is a 15–20 minute walk from the Parkville campus.

Your ticket will need to be scanned for entry to the venue.

The venue is well serviced by public transport, with numerous options available including trams, trains and buses (refer to the map for detailed information). If you’re driving, you may wish to park opposite the venue at Melbourne Museum.

Find out more about parking and public transport options.

Picture of The Royal Exhibition Building

Mobility assistance and venue access

Graduates with accessibility requirements

If you are a graduate requiring any access or support assistance during the ceremony (such as mobility requirements), then please contact the Graduations Team when you RSVP (at least 3 days prior to your ceremony) to discuss your needs. You will also be able to note any accessibility requests when booking your tickets and regalia online. We will ensure that arrangements are in place for you and your guests.

Venue access

The Nicholson Street entrance is the only accessible entrance for guests due to the stairs on the Rathdowne Street entrance. Please see the venue map above for accessible entries, lift access and bathrooms.  The post-event function and refreshments will be held on the gallery level and are accessible via the lifts.

Ceremony seating

Ushers are available to seat you and your guests before other guests if you use a wheelchair, walker, frame or cane, are vision impaired, or have difficulty in crowded spaces. Please enter the venue when doors open (see your ceremony schedule for exact times) and ushers will be able to assist you.

Your regalia

When you arrive, make your way to the regalia marquee on the south side of the building to register and be gowned. Please present your graduate ticket when you come to collect your regalia. The person gowning you will make sure your gown and hat are the right size. Our graduation staff will also ensure that your regalia is positioned correctly before you walk across the stage.

Regalia must be returned to the collection point within two hours after the conclusion of your ceremony. Regalia cannot be returned during the ceremony.

Booking your ticket and gown

During the ceremony

During the ceremony you are permitted to take photos using a smartphone from your seat (just not while being presented on stage).

Ushers will be available to guide guests and students to the bathroom, parents room or prayer room as required. All guests and graduates are expected to be respectful and remain in their seats until the end of the ceremony, even after you have been presented on stage.

Your moment on stage

Bachelor/Master degrees

  1. When it is nearly your turn to be presented, you will be ushered from your allocated seat and directed towards the presentation point on the stage.
  2. Your name will be called and you will come forward to be presented as a new graduate.
  3. To acknowledge the Dean or presenting officer, “doff” (nod and pinch the front of your trencher).
  4. You will receive a presentation tube onstage.
  5. Exit the stage via the central stairs and return to your seat.

PhD/Higher doctoral degrees

  • PhD and Higher Doctoral graduates take part in the academic procession as part of the formal ceremony. Because of this, there is slightly different information for you to be aware of regarding your ceremony schedule, the academic procession and your moment on stage. Please refer to specific information for PhD and higher doctoral graduates.

Photography during the ceremony

Once you have entered the venue for the ceremony, you may only take photographs from your seat to minimise disrupting other guests.

Official University photographers will take photographs of each graduate as they graduate on stage, and these will be on sale after the ceremony. Other professional photographers will not be allowed into the venue.

Post-event celebrations

At the conclusion of the ceremony you be led to the post-event celebrations. The post-event celebrations include refreshments for you and your guests. It will commence as soon as your ceremony has finished and will last for one hour. This is an opportunity to celebrate with your guests and fellow graduates as well as take photos around the venue.

Guests

Guest seating at the Royal Exhibition Building is ticketed. You will be allocated a specific guest entry (Rathdowne or Nicholson) based on which side of the stage your graduate will be presented. Please note that seating is not allocated within each section.

Children and babies

It is recommended children and babies do not attend the ceremony due to the length and formal nature of the proceedings. If children do attend they must be supervised by a carer other than the graduate. Carers can exit and enter the venue with their children as needed.

COVIDSafe requirements

Please follow any guidance provided by event organisers. You are welcome to wear a face mask at any time, particularly when unable to distance yourself from others. More information on face masks and other infection control measures is available on our dedicated COVID-19 website.