Graduation ceremonies

In 2022 UOW shifted how in-person graduation ceremonies were delivered. This will continue into 2023 and beyond.

In-person graduation ceremonies have always included elements such as commencement addresses and announcement of graduates. In addition to this, ceremonies will now also include elements in recognition of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students:  

• a Smoking Ceremony 
• vibration sounds of the Yidaki lead the Academic Procession  
• Aboriginal inspired art and music featured throughout the ceremonies

Yes, graduates will dress in official academic dress and have the opportunity to take photos with their guests. You will receive your gown during registration on the day of your ceremony, and it must be returned to the gowning area at the conclusion of your ceremony at the following times:

• 1pm for morning ceremonies  
• 6pm for afternoon ceremonies 

The cost of hiring your academic dress is covered by the graduation fee.  If you would like to purchase your academic dress, please contact the Unishop, or buy online. Please note that if you purchase your academic dress, you are still required to pay the full graduation fee. 

Find out more about what to wear on the day

Each graduate is allocated up to three (3) guest tickets for their graduation ceremony.

More information about guest tickets

For information relating to when to arrive, travel, location and parking and well as other important information, please visit the Your Graduation Day page. 

Yes, all ceremonies will be live streamed. A link will be available on this page in early April.

We expect each ceremony will go for approximately 2-2.5 hours. 

More information about ceremony proceedings

The graduation fee covers the following:

• Hire of official academic dress
• Trencher or Bonnet which you can keep (if you don’t already have one)
• Graduation booklet
• Guest tickets

If you have paid for your ceremony but cannot attend, please email askuow@uow.edu.au with ‘Graduation’ in the subject line and attach a copy of your original payment receipt as well as your student number. 

A refund will depend on how much notice is provided; 

• More than 10 business days notice prior to your ceremony: a full refund 
• Less than 10 business days notice prior to your ceremony: no refund unless in exceptional circumstances  

If you request a refund with less than 10 days notice, a refund will be considered on a case by case basis with supporting evidence that you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control.

Your refund will be credited to the same payment details that were provided when registering. 

The safety of graduates, guests and staff is our top priority. UOW will follow advice and guidelines from health and government authorities to ensure a COVID Safe event.

COVID Safe protocols will be in place to protect all visitors including:

• Hand sanitiser available for use
• Wearing of face masks encouraged for all graduates and guests
• Guests and graduates are asked to stay home if unwell

Please note that requirements will be subject to public health orders at the time of the ceremonies and may change.

Visitors to UOW campuses are currently not required to show their COVID-19 vaccination status.

If you intend to travel from your home country to attend the ceremony, you will need to ensure you have the correct entry requirements. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs

The Department of Home Affairs has comprehensive information about student visa requirements and application procedures. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs.

If your guests intend to travel from their home country to attend your graduation ceremony, they will need to ensure they have the correct entry requirements. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs.

During the registration process, international students had the option to generate, save and/ or print a copy of a Graduation Invitation Letter for guests to use for travel and visa purposes.

If you did not request a letter during registration but now require one, please contact the Graduation team via email at askuow@uow.edu.au with ‘Graduation’ in the subject line in order to have one sent to you. You will not be able to generate a letter by modifying your registration.

If you generated a Graduation Invitation letter during the registration process, log back into your account and select ‘view registration’. A link to view and/or save your Graduation Invitation Letter for overseas guests will be available on this page. 

If you require your Graduation Invitation letter for overseas guests to be modified, please contact askuow@uow.edu.au with ‘Graduation’ in the subject line to have this corrected. A revised letter will be sent to you via email as soon as possible.