Procedures on the Day

Before the Ceremony

1. Arrive at the University at least an hour and a half before the commencement of the ceremony.
2. We suggest you leave your guests in the foyer of the University Hall. If you have prepaid your Graduation fee ($70), you should proceed to the Registration desk in the upstairs foyer of building 11, UniCentre Building.
   Payment facilities will be available at Student Central in Building 17 during the graduation ceremony days by EFTPOS, Cheque, Money Order and Credit Card ONLY (Visa, Mastercard, Bankcard or American Express).Cash Payments ARE NOT accepted. If you decide to pay on the day, please be advised, that you may experience delays and queues. We would also encourage you to arrive at least 90 minutes before your ceremony.
3. Please have your student card and Graduation payment receipt ready to identify yourself to registration desk staff. To register you will:
   a. receive your Program booklet marked with your reserved seat number. [NB: If you do not have a marked program, you HAVE NOT registered. Graduands not registered 20 minutes prior to the commencement of the ceremony may not be permitted to participate.
   b. Receive your guest tickets (up to three per graduand)
4. Once you have registered, desk staff will direct you to collect your hired academic dress.
5. Payment should be made at Student Central in Building 17 before Friday 8 December (cash not accepted). We strongly encourage you to prepay at Student Central to avoid delays on the day of your graduation ceremony. If you have not pre-paid and need to do so on the day of your graduation, please pay all fees at Student Central (Building 17). Please note - NO PAYMENTS will be accepted at the Registration Desk.

In the Hall During the Ceremony

1. At least 30 minutes before the ceremony, you should be seated in your allocated seat (your seat number is marked on your program booklet). So that each graduand is presented in the correct order to the Chancellor, it is essential that you sit in the seat number that you have been allocated. Please do not swap or change where you sit.
2. The graduand users will direct you through the ceremony process.
3. When requested by the Chancellor, please stand with the group of graduands receiving awards. The Chancellor will then admit you to your degree or award your diploma. You will then sit down.
4. Graduands will then be announced individually. The first graduand will be ushered to the top of the right hand stairs; the next, to the right-hand outside aisle. All others in the group should remain seated.
5. As the first graduand's name is announced (s)he will walk across to the centre of the stage to receive the testamur (certificate).
6. The audience and fellow graduands will applaud.
7. After receiving your testamur, salute the Chancellor by raising your cap. The Chancellor will return the salute.
8. Turn to your left and proceed down the centre stairs to the centre aisle enter your row and return to your seat.
   

At the conclusion of the ceremony, you will join the procession out of the Hall as directed by the ushers. To avoid a crush, please quickly make your way to the exit doors and out of the Hall

The diagram shows a 'typical' layout for a Graduation Ceremony

1. In turn graduand move to the right of their row and are met by usher B.
2. They then proceed to the bottom of the stairs and wait next to usher A.
3. When the preceding graduand has moved to centre stage, the next graduand ascends the stairs and waits near the Dean.
4. When their name is announced, graduand , in turn, move to the Chancellor to receive their testamur.
5. Before leaving the stage, graduates salute the Chancellor by raising their cap slightly with their right hand; and then....
6. Descend the stairs and return to their seat

Last Updated: August 17, 2006