Preparing for your graduation ceremony
Get all the information you need to know about preparing for your graduation, what to do when you arrive at your graduation ceremony, and what happens on the day.
Follow these steps to ensure you're ready for your graduation ceremony:
Sign in to My graduation and choose the option to attend your graduation ceremony.
Check the graduation process for more information.
My results and graduation: How to manage your graduation online
The graduation fee covers:
- Academic regalia hire for the ceremony
- Trencher (cap) to keep if you're graduating with a bachelor degree or higher
- Two guest tickets
- Graduation ceremony program
Fees for graduation ceremonies
- Timely graduation charge: $225
- Late graduation charge: $275
Graduation for Indigenous students
Graduates who identify themselves as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are eligible to have their graduation fee waived.
Note: Registrations for ceremonies close approximately 2 weeks prior to the ceremony date.
You don't need to book a ticket for yourself. You will be automatically allocated a graduate seat when you pay the graduation fee. Your seat allocation will be given to you on the day of graduation (at registration).
You pay your graduation fee through GFP Graduations. We will notify you when bookings for your ceremony open.
Wearing academic dress is compulsory at your ceremony. You'll need to hire or purchase the right regalia for your ceremony. This includes a gown, a hood or stole, and a trencher (cap). The regalia you need to wear varies according to your qualification.
Book professional photos of your graduation day through Swinburne’s official photographers GFP Graduations. You can also arrange photography on the day of your ceremony.
Even if you don't pre-book photography, GFP Graduations will take a photo of you on stage accepting your award, which you can later buy if you like.
Are you an overseas student?
If you have family overseas wishing to attend your ceremony in Melbourne, you’ll need to make all travel arrangements yourself; Swinburne does not offer this service.
Complete and submit a Status Letter request form if you have not yet completed your course but expect to soon. This letter may be used to substantiate visa applications for visiting family. It is important that you specify why you are applying for a Status Letter. Your ‘Reason for the request’ should state 'for graduation purposes'.
What should you expect on the day of your graduation?
Find out what to do when you arrive at your graduation ceremony, and what happens on the day.
COVIDSafe protocols – Conditions of Entry
To support the safety of Swinburne's community and comply with Victorian Government directives, you must adhere to the relevant COVID safe protocols of the venue. Please do not enter the venue if you're feeling unwell.
For more information visit the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition website and the Swinburne on-campus protocols page for more information.
Where to park
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has a car park located within the Exhibition Centre. Additionally, there are secure car parks located in and around South Wharf including South Wharf Retail Car Park, Siddeley Street Carpark, Freeway Carpark and Montague Street Carpark.
Please note MCEC is only open to events and visitors in attendance. To reduce movement throughout the venue, visitors will be restricted to the building in which their event is held and unable to transit between buildings.
Melbourne Exhibition Centre car park
Closest allocated entrance to the Convention Centre is Lobby Door C. Visitors parking within Melbourne Exhibition Centre car park will need to exit the car park via Door 6. Visitors will then be directed outside the building where visitors will need to walk around (outside) towards Lobby Door B or C where visitors can re-enter. See attached map for Door 6.
DFO South Wharf Wilson parking
Closest allocated entrance to the Convention Centre is Lobby Door B.
Siddeley Street car park
Walk over Seafearers Bridge to Melbourne Convention Centre, closest allocated entrance to the Convention Centre is Lobby Door B.
When to arrive
You need to arrive at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre two hours before the ceremony to allow time to have your regalia fitted.
Note: Registration and gowning closes one hour before the ceremony; allow plenty of time to get to the venue in case of transport or parking issues.
Report to the registration and gowning room in Plenary (in the Convention Centre building, lower ground floor).
Note: Make sure you bring your student ID or another photo ID.
Guests should arrive an hour before the ceremony starts (e.g. 3pm for a 4pm ceremony). Make sure that your guests are carrying their own tickets.
Prams cannot be brought into the ceremony hall; however, a space has been set aside in the main foyer for prams. On arrival, please make your way to the Swinburne information desk. A staff member will direct you to the designated area.
Order of events
- Graduates register and have their regalia fitted
- Graduates take their seats in the ceremony hall or Plenary (45 minutes before the ceremony).
- Guests take their seats in the ceremony hall or Plenary (45 minutes before the ceremony).
- The ceremony begins with an academic procession.
- The national anthem is sung.
- Graduates are presented on the stage.
- The ceremony concludes after 90–120 minutes.
What to do on the stage
A staff member will collect you from your seat when your name is about to be called and direct you to the stage.
Once you're on the stage, you will need to:
- Wait until your name is called, then accept your graduation tube from the chancellor.
- Have your photograph taken.
- Leave the stage via the central stairs.
Photography
You can have professional photos taken before and after the ceremony. Book your photography in advance through GFP Graduations or on the day.
Ceremony recordings
Ceremony recordings will be available approximately six weeks post ceremony. Re-live and share your special moment with family and friends.
Pay your graduation fee now
Pay for your graduation ceremony via GFP Graduations, which includes two tickets and academic gown hire.
Hiring your academic regalia
Learn all about the full graduation regalia you will need to wear at your graduation ceremony. Remember, academic dress hire is covered in the graduation fee.
Keep on exploring
-
Postnominals
As a Swinburne graduate, you are entitled to add postnominals, which identify your qualification(s) after your name.
-
Alumni
Stay connected to your alumni community and enjoy a range of services and benefits, including networking and professional development opportunities.
-
Confirm your graduation details
Log in using your student ID and password to confirm your graduation details.
Need graduation advice or course help?
If you have a question or need help with any aspect of completing your course or graduating, contact studentHQ. StudentHQ can help you if you haven’t received your graduation documents or need to get replacements.