Melbourne Graduation Ceremony

All you need to know about attending the ceremony at Marvel Stadium on Wednesday 18 December 2024.

A female graduate in academic dress smiles as she receives her graduation scroll from a female academic on stage at the ceremony.

Melbourne Graduation Ceremony highlight reel

Watch the highlights from 2023 and get a sense of what to expect at the RMIT Melbourne Graduation Ceremony at Marvel Stadium.

Before the ceremony

Plan ahead and get ready for the ceremony! Know the key dates, how to confirm your attendance, get your guest tickets, when to collect your gown and how to pre-book your photos.

Going to the Graduation Parade? Click here for information about the 2024 parade.

Male doctoral graduates at the Melbourne Graduation Parade

Date	Activity
Late August/early September 2024	Email sent inviting eligible students and graduates to attend the 2024 ceremony.
Friday 25 October	Last day to apply to graduate, confirm your attendance and pay the ceremony fee.
Thursday 31 October	Doctoral students - last day to submit Final Archive
Monday 2 December	Result release date for higher education and vocational education students in Australia studying in standard semesters. You must have completed and passed all your program requirements by this date to be able to attend this year's ceremony.
Wednesday 11 to Friday 13 December	Gown and ticket collection (includes collection of guest tickets)
Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 December	Late gown and ticket collection days
Wednesday 18 December	Melbourne Graduation Parade (optional) Melbourne Graduation Ceremony
Wednesday 18 December	Graduates lose access to all RMIT systems.

Eligibility

Students completing their program at the end of Semester 2 2024

You are eligible to attend the ceremony if you:

successfully complete and pass all your program requirements by Monday 2 December and are marked as complete by your School; if your School advises that you've not met the requirements to complete your program, you unfortunately won't be able to participate in the 2024 ceremony
have no missing results or credit transfers 
have no outstanding debts to the University 
have provided your verified USI to RMIT (higher education students only).

You will not be eligible to graduate at the ceremony if you:

have a deferred or supplementary assessment scheduled on or after Monday 2 December
have an outstanding placement on or after Monday 2 December
are enrolled in undergraduate study period 3 or postgraduate session 3 (for OUA students)
are enrolled in a standard undergraduate/postgraduate program and due to complete your final course(s) in teaching period 4 (for RMIT Online students).

In absentia graduates from 2023 and 2024

You are eligible to attend the ceremony if you:

graduate in absentia during 2024
graduated in absentia in 2023 and didn't attend a 2023 graduation ceremony.

How to confirm your attendance

All students and alumni need to confirm their attendance at the ceremony and pay the ceremony fee by 25 October 2024.

When you confirm your attendance, you will be asked:

for your academic dress size
the number of guest tickets (you're guaranteed 4 tickets; extra tickets may become available closer to the ceremony date).
to pay the ceremony fee.

This is also when you can let us know of any accessibility requirements for you or your guests.

Cohort	How to confirm attendance and pay ceremony fee
Completing program end 2024	Log in to Enrolment Online to apply to graduate and confirm your attendance at the Melbourne Graduation Ceremony. We will send a reminder email in early September 2024.
Graduating in absentia during 2024	We will send an email in early September 2024 to your nominated personal email address with instructions to confirm your attendance.
Graduated in 2023	Complete the Expression of Interest form. We will then send an invitation in early September 2024 to your nominated personal email address with instructions to confirm your attendance.

Ceremony fee

If you're graduating at the ceremony

If you’ve already graduated in absentia (in 2024 or 2023)

The fee is $250. This includes: 

your hard-copy testamur (available to you at the ceremony)
guest tickets
academic dress loan (mortarboards/bonnets can be kept as a memento)
post-ceremony refreshments.

The fee is $195. This includes: 

guest tickets
academic dress loan (mortarboards/bonnets can be kept as a memento)
post-ceremony refreshments.

Because you've already graduated, you won't receive a hard copy testamur at the ceremony. The reduced fee reflects this.

Visa support letter

Organising visas? When you confirm your attendance at the ceremony, you will receive a confirmation email. You can use this email to support your visa application.

2025 ceremony

If you're due to complete your program at the end of 2024 and would prefer to attend the 2025 Melbourne Graduation Ceremony, you can either defer your graduation to the 2025 ceremony or graduate in absentia and then attend the ceremony. Your choice will determine when you get your academic statements.

1. Defer your graduation

To defer your graduation you will need to update your graduation option in Enrolment Online from early November. If you defer your graduation until the 2025 ceremony, you won't receive your testamur and other graduation documents until the ceremony.

2. Graduate in absentia

To graduate and get your testamur and other statements sooner, you can apply to graduate in absentia and complete the Expression of Interest Form for next year's ceremony. We'll contact you in 2025 with information about attending the December Melbourne Graduation Ceremony.

Guest tickets

You are guaranteed four guest tickets. You will be asked to provide the number of guests tickets (up to four) when you confirm your attendance at the ceremony.

More tickets may become available, but we won't know exactly how many until the week before the ceremony. Please ask the Customer Service desk at your gown and ticket collection day.

Overseas guests

If you have guests attending graduation from outside Australia, please ensure that you arrange their travel visas well in advance. Due to specific government travel and visa requirements, we are unable to provide your guests with individual personalised invitations.

Visa support letter

When you apply to graduate and confirm your attendance at the ceremony, you will receive a confirmation email. This email can be used as supporting documentation for your visa application.

Baby and toddler tickets

If a baby or toddler will be seated on someone's lap, they don't need a ticket. If they need their own seat, a ticket is required.

Prams and strollers are allowed in the stadium, but must be stored under your seat.

Please note, no pets are permitted in the stadium apart from service animals.

Accessibility needs

Let us know when you confirm your attendance if you and/or your guests have accessibility requirements.

If you need to let us know after you've confirmed your attendance, please contact the Graduation team via Student Connect.

Wheelchair bays

Please let us know as soon as you can if you need to reserve a wheelechair bay for a guest. Each wheelchair bay has a seat for one carer.

There are limited wheelchair bays at the stadium and unfortunately we can't guarantee that you will be allocated one behind your presentation stage. However, we will do our best to ensure guests are seated as close as possible to the relevant stage.

Please note that neither RMIT nor Marvel Stadium have wheelchairs for hire. There are several places in Melbourne that hire out wheelchairs and we recommend organising this as early as possible.

AUSLAN interpreters

There will be AUSLAN interpreters visible on two large stadium screens.

Accessing Marvel Stadium

If you have an accessible parking permit, you can book a car space via the Marvel Stadium website.

People with accessibility requirements may also be dropped off at Bourke Street or Harbour Esplanade where there are external lifts from the ground to concourse level.

We strongly recommend that any guests with accessibility needs or other special requirements arrive in plenty of time to find a suitable seat on the lowest level possible.

Group of female graduates applauding and smiling at the graduation ceremony

Accessibility at Marvel Stadium

Information about accessible facilities and services are on the Marvel Stadium website.

Collect your academic gown and tickets

You can collect your gown and tickets (your seating ticket plus guest tickets) from Marvel Stadium in the week before the ceremony. Your collection day is determined by the College you studied in. There will also be two late collection days. Don't know your College? Check here.

Photography sessions, framing and merchandise

Professional photography sessions, frames and other graduation merchandise will be available at the gown and ticket collection days. Go to the Photography & merch tab to see more information.

Venue: Marvel Stadium. The exact location will be published here closer to the ceremony.

College	Date & time
Design and Social Context	Wednesday 11 December, 9am to 7pm
STEM	Thursday 12 December, 9am to 7pm
Vocational Education & Business and Law	Friday 13 December, 9am to 7pm
Late collection days (for all colleges)	Monday 16 December, 9am to 7pm Tuesday 17 December, 9am to 7pm

If you're unable to collect your gown and tickets

If you can't make any of the dates and times above, you can ask someone else to collect your gown and tickets for you. We will need to verify their identity, so please ask them to bring:

photo ID and
a copy of your ceremony confirmation email or your student card.

What you'll wear and how to wear it

See the section below 'How to wear your gown'.

Photography, framing and merchandise

Professional photography sessions will be available at the gown and ticket collection days at Marvel Stadium. Frames, plaques and other graduation merchandise will also be available on these days.

Photography, framing and merchandise will not be available at the ceremony itself (however, you will have a professional photo taken of you on stage).

Book your photo session

You will be able to pre-book your graduation portrait session via Reed Graduations closer to the ceremony date. Please note that the photographers provide ironed gowns and hoods/stoles for you to wear for your portrait. For more information, go to the Reed Graduations website.

Graduation gifts and merch

In addition to buying merch at your gown and ticket collection day, you can also go to the online RMIT Store.

Flowers and Graduation merchandise will also be available to buy at the Graduation Parade.

Attending the ceremony

Know how to get to Marvel Stadium, which gate to enter, where you and your guests will be seated, facilities, what to expect during the ceremony and what to do when you're on stage.

Schedule and what to expect

The ceremony at Marvel Stadium is a major event. It attracts up to 50,000 graduates, alumni, academics, distinguished guests, family and friends.

There are no photo portrait sessions at the ceremony, but you will have a professional photo taken of you on stage. Portrait sessions are available at the gown and ticket collection days.

There will be 21 presentation stages running concurrently with 400-450 graduates being presented at each stage.

AUSLAN interpreters will be visible on two large stadium screens.

The ceremony will be loud! There's live entertainment including singers, musicians and dancers, plus a pyrotechnic display at the end. We suggest you and your guests bring ear plugs as a precaution.

It may be very warm in the stadium. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring water with you.

You will lose access to RMIT systems when you graduate. Back up your info before the ceremony.

Ceremony schedule

Time	Activity
1.30pm	Graduates arrive, register at their stage and are seated (see your ticket for details). It's essential for the order of presentation that you sit in your designated seat.
2pm	Guests arrive and take their seats. Guests don't have reserved seats. They may sit anywhere on levels 1, 2 or 3 behind your allocated stage (the stage is listed on your guests' tickets). Please note: Guests are not allowed on the arena at any time (except for guests of doctoral degree graduates, who are seated on the arena in front of the main stage).
3pm	Ceremony begins: Academic procession Music and entertainment
3.30pm	Speeches, presentation of honorary doctorates
4pm	Presentation of graduate awards. Before you go on stage you'll be asked to line up in order of presentation. For this reason, it's important that you're in your designated seat. When on stage: Face the academic presenting the scroll. Doff (touch the front of) your cap. Do not shake hands or take selfies. As tempting as it might be, we need to keep to a strict time limit to ensure all graduates are presented. Receive the scroll from the academic. Your name and program/s you're graduating from will be displayed above the stage (your name won't be announced). Face the front for a professional photograph with the academic. Exit the stage. If you're graduating at the ceremony, you'll receive your testamur at the side of the stage. If you graduated in absentia prior to the ceremony, you'll skip this step. Return to your seat and stay seated until all graduates have been presented.
5pm	Guest musical act Post-ceremony refreshments for graduates on the arena
5.30pm	Ceremony ends

What you'll wear at the ceremony (and how to wear it)

RMIT’s graduation dress is based on the Oxford style so, if you're graduating at a ceremony, you'll wear a traditional black gown, a hood or stole and a mortarboard or bonnet.

Exactly what you'll wear is determined by your program’s discipline and the level of award you receive, e.g. Diploma, Bachelor or Master.

Because this is a formal ceremony, you are unable to adorn your gown in any way, e.g. with messages or decorations.

Award	Dress
Certificate and Diploma	Coloured stole, black gown and black mortar board (a cap made from black cloth with a folding crown and a black tassel)
Bachelor and Master	Coloured hood, black gown and black mortar board
Double degree	Graduates are entitled to wear two coloured hoods, representing each award, plus black gown and black mortar board.
PhD	Scarlet hood, black gown and black velvet bonnet with a red tassel.

What colour will I wear?

Each discipline is represented by its own colour. Click the red arrow below to find out what colour/s you'll wear.

Find your hood colour (PDF)

Discipline	Colour
Applied Science	Honeysuckle
Architecture	Cherry
Arts	Magenta
Business	Heliotrope
Design	Silver grey
Education	Turquoise
Engineering	Spectrum blue
Health Science	Violet
Law	White
Nursing	Fuschia
Pharmacy	Opaline green
Public Health	Peacock green
Social Science	Buttercup
Social Work	Powder blue
Technology	Spectrum green
Doctor of Philosophy	Scarlet red

For instructions on how to wear your graduation dress, watch the video below or download the How to wear your academic dress flyer (PDF).

How to wear your graduation attire - higher education

A helpful guide to wearing your higher education academic attire when graduating from RMIT University.

How to wear your graduation attire - vocational education and associate degree

A helpful guide to wearing your vocational education and associate degree academic gown when graduating from RMIT University.

Need help with your gown?

Don't worry, we have people on the ground to get you looking your best. When you register at your school/college presentation stage, you can ask one of our staff marshals for help.

Returning your gown

As you leave Marvel Stadium, there'll be large bins at each exit where you can leave your gown and stole/hood. Don't forget you can keep your mortar board or bonnet as a memento!

Getting to Marvel Stadium

Public transport

We strongly recommend arriving by public transport. Traffic will be very heavy and there is extremely limited parking around Marvel Stadium. There will also be ongoing Metro tunnel works in the area.

Please allow plenty of time to get to the ceremony.

Tram services will operate before and after the ceremony from La Trobe Street to Marvel Stadium (Gate 7), and from Collins Street to the stadium. Visit Yarra Trams for details.

Trains run regularly to Southern Cross Station. It's a short walk across the Bourke Street pedestrian bridge to Marvel Stadium. Visit Metro Trains for timetables.

If you're coming from the Graduation Parade, take the tram along La Trobe Street or the train from Melbourne Central to Southern Cross Station.

Parking

If you do choose to drive, please plan your journey and allow plenty of time for traffic delays and Metro works around the city.

There is parking available in the CBD, including at one of the following Wilson Car Parks. You can then either walk or take public transport to the stadium.

Southern Cross Station Car Park – 163-235 Spencer Street, Melbourne
La Trobe Street Car parks – 300 and 380 La Trobe Street, Melbourne
Queen Street Car park – 189 Queen Street, Melbourne

Accessible parking & entry

If you have an accessible parking permit, you can book a car space via the Marvel Stadium website.

People with accessibility requirements may also be dropped off at Bourke Street or Harbour Esplanade where there are external lifts from the ground to concourse level.

We strongly recommend that any guests with accessibility needs or other special requirements arrive in plenty of time to find a suitable seat on the lowest level possible.

Which gate to enter at Marvel Stadium

Please enter via the Gate closest to your presentation stage. Your stage is on your entry ticket and on your guests' tickets.

Marvel Stadium map

Download the map to find the entry gate closest to your stage.

Download the map (PDF)

Customer service and facilities at Marvel Stadium

The table below lists commonly requested services and facilties. Please read the information carefully to know what is (and isn't) available on the day, and where you can find the services you need.

Service/facility	Location
RMIT Customer Service desk	Gate 5, open from 10am to 6pm.
Cloak room	There is no cloak room at the ceremony. Please keep all belongings with you and store large items under your seat.
Lockers	There are no lockers at Marvel Stadium. However, you can hire a locker nearby at Southern Cross Station.
Baby change/parents' rooms	Level 1, Aisle 3 Level 1, between Aisle 22-24
Pram storage	Prams and strollers can be stowed under your seat.
Multi-faith prayer rooms	Level 1, Aisle 3 Level 3, Aisle 17
Toilets	Toilets (including Accessible and All-Gender) are located throughout the Stadium. See the Marvel Stadium website for details.
Water stations	A number of water stations are available around the Stadium.

If you're graduating at the ceremony, you will receive your hard-copy testamur at the ceremony after you have been presented on stage.

If you graduate in absentia before the ceremony, you won't receive a hard copy testamur. Your ceremony fee is reduced to reflect this.

The name on your testamur

Your testamur (certificate) and graduation statements are legal documents and can therefore only be issued using your legal name.

If you want to change your legal name in RMIT systems, you can do so by Friday 13 December 2024. This will enable us to print your testamur with your updated legal name. Any requested changes made after this date can't be guaranteed. To find out more about the use of legal and preferred names at RMIT, and how to update your legal name, please go to the Update your personal details page.

Multiple programs

If you're graduating from more than one program e.g., a Diploma and a Bachelor, you'll graduate and be presented on stage only once under the higher award i.e., the Bachelor program. You'll receive both of your testamurs on the day of the ceremony.

Your academic dress will be provided for the higher award.

If you have graduated from an RMIT program in previous years, you will only receive the testamur for the program you're graduating from at the ceremony on 18 December 2024.

How to access and order your statements

Refer to Types of academic statements and how to get them for information.

Female graduate looking at camera and holding a flag in front of people and a doughnut van on Bowen Street

Ceremony live stream

All presentation stages will be recorded and live streamed. The links will be available closer to the ceremony.

More information for graduates

Apply to graduate

Check your eligibility to graduate, know how to apply, and choose to graduate at a ceremony or in absentia.

Graduation dress

If you attend a graduation ceremony, you'll wear graduation dress. Find out what it will look like and how to wear it.

RMIT graduation ceremonies

Find out about RMIT graduation ceremonies in Australia and around the world.

Melbourne Graduation Parade

Wednesday 18 December 2024, RMIT City campus

Academic transcripts and statements

Find out about the different types of academic statements available at RMIT, how to order and access them, plus verifying and authenticating qualifications.

A woman standing and looking at charts on a window.

Discounts and benefits

Your RMIT experience doesn't stop when you graduate. Stay curious, connected and one step ahead with a range of exclusive benefits.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information

Melbourne Graduation Ceremony