Frequently Asked Questions

Ceremony Information 

For more information please visit the ACU Graduation website: What happens on the day  

Graduation Mass
Graduates attending the Ballarat Graduation Mass at 10am are encouraged to arrive early for registration and gowning from 8:30am.  Please visit the ACU Website for more information on Graduation Mass.

How long is the graduation ceremony? 
The duration of the graduation ceremony will be approximately 90 minutes, however the length can vary depending on the number of graduates attending. Graduates are expected to remain in the hall for the duration of the ceremony as a courtesy to other graduates and guests. 

What time do I need to arrive for my graduation ceremony? 
Plan to arrive at least 2.5 hours before the start of your ceremony. This will allow adequate time for registration, gowning and the option of professional photography services.  

Registration will close 1 hour before the ceremony and your name will be removed from the presentation lists if you have not arrived by that time. 

What time do I need to be seated for my graduation ceremony? 

All graduates must be seated for the briefing which commences 45 minutes before the ceremony. 
The briefing covers the ceremony proceedings, when and how you cross the stage for the presentation of your award and the protocols to be followed during your ceremony. 

What services are available at graduation? 
GFP Events will be available at all ceremonies to provide a comprehensive range of high-quality graduation memorabilia and services. This includes frames, plaques, professional studio photography, academic regalia and graduation bears.  For more information on services provided at your Graduation, please click here. 

Are the ceremonies live streamed? 

All ceremonies are live streamed so that family and friends can watch remotely.  The livestreaming is available on the ACU website, along with your electronic graduation program. 

Other Graduation Services

For more information on our services provided at your Graduation, please click here.

Venue Information 

For more information please visit the ACU Graduation website: 

• Information for Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney graduates 
• Information for Ballarat and Canberra graduates 

Canberra Graduation 
Canberra Graduation is held at the National Convention Centre. For venue information please visit: http://www.nccc.com.au/your-visit 

Ballarat Graduation 
Ballarat Graduation is held at the Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre. For venue information please visit: http://www.mercureballarat.com.au/ 

Brisbane Graduation 
Brisbane Graduation is held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. For venue information please visit: https://www.bcec.com.au/visit/ 

Sydney Graduation 
Sydney Graduation is held at Rosehill Gardens, Rosehill. For venue information please visit: http://www.eventsbyatc.com.au/rosehill-gardens/ 

Melbourne Graduation 
Melbourne Graduation is held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf. 
For venue information please visit: https://mcec.com.au/visit/ 

Gown Collection Times & Locations

When and how can I collect my Academic Dress? 

Registration and gowning will open 2.5 hours before the morning ceremonies and 3 hours before the afternoon ceremonies. Graduates will receive a text message two days prior to their ceremony with a link to retrieve their electronic ticket. The QR code ticket will be scanned to allow venue entry and regalia collection. 

Where can I collect my Academic Dress? 

Academic Dress can be collected at your ceremony venue. For more information please visit the ACU Graduation website: 

• Information for Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney graduates 
• Information for Ballarat and Canberra graduates 

Academic Dress FAQs

Do I have to wear Academic Dress to participate in my Graduation Ceremony? 
Yes. You will be required to wear the prescribed academic dress for the Degree or Diploma in which you are graduating. This includes a gown, a mortar board, hood and/or stole in the appropriate colour. 

How do I work out my Gown Size? 
When you place your order online you will have the option to select your size e.g. extra small, small, medium, large etc and we will also ask for your height, this will allow us to ensure you have the correct size. 

When do I return my Academic Dress? 
Gowns must be returned within 1.5 hours of the ceremony finishing. 
Failure to return your Academic Dress within this period will incur a late fee. 
Please refer to the Terms & Conditions below. 

What if I don’t have a credit card – can I pay cash? 
Bookings are essential! Due to the large numbers of attending graduates, processing orders and payments at the ceremony can cause significant delays, we highly recommend you use our secure online ordering system. However, we also do on-the-day sales with cash or card.     

Do I have to wear anything specific under my gown? 
It is important to note the gown is open at the front; therefore what you are wearing underneath is visible. It is for this reason we recommend you wear business attire, and comfortable shoes. If the day is warm, you may want to remove your jacket as the gowns are quite heavy and it may be hot in the auditorium. 

How much will my Academic Dress hire cost? 
Academic Dress hire is included in the graduation fee. 

Terms and Conditions of hire 
Academic Dress Hire – Academic Dress MUST be booked a minimum of 3 days in advance of your ceremony day to avoid a late booking fee of $35.  
Return of Academic Dress – Academic Dress is to be returned within 2 hours of the conclusion of your ceremony. 
Failure to return Academic Dress on time will incur a charge equivalent to the balance of the purchase price of the regalia. 
Cancellation of Order – If you need to cancel your order please contact Customer Service to arrange your refund.

How To Wear Your Academic Dress

It is important to remember that the clothing you wear to your graduation ceremony will be visible as you walk across the stage. Neat, casual attire is most appropriate, with a shirt and tie recommended for male graduates. It is best to avoid jeans and sneakers. Please also note that a mortarboard must be worn as part of academic dress, which should be kept in mind when planning your hairstyle.

Gown - The gown is worn over the top of your clothing like a jacket, undergraduate's arms go through the sleeve, postgraduate students arm's go through an opening in the sleeve.
Faculty Hood - All ACU Bachelor and Masters hoods are worn so that the coloured lining is visible on the left shoulder and black on the right shoulder.
Mortarboard - The Mortarboard is worn with shallow part to the front of your head and the deep part to the back of the head.
Mortarboard and PhD bonnet tassels are to the left.

Academic Dress Sizes

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GOWN SIZE

Graduation is a ticketed event and any guests without a ticket will not be permitted entry to the venue.
Each ticket has a unique barcode that is scanned upon entry.

All graduates will receive their own unique QR code two days prior to their ceremony and this will be sent to their mobile phone.
The graduate will need this QR code to gain entry to the venue and collect their academic regalia.

Children are included in the guest ticket allocation and all children over the age of 2 require a ticket and to be seated in their own chair.

For more information about ticketing please visit the ACU Graduation Website. 

Studio Photography
Leave your graduation photos to the experts.
GFP’s photography team will provide you and your family with a professional studio session that includes a wide range of individual, family and fun images.
To save time on your ceremony day we suggest pre-ordering your Studio Photography Package online.
For more information and to pre-order please sign in to the Graduation Portal.

Stage Photography
GFP professional photography team will capture your moment on stage.
Prints including the university logo, border and year of graduation are available for pickup at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Your stage photo will also be available to view and purchase through our website following your ceremony.
Pre-order your stage photograph package today through our Graduation Portal.

Framing & Plaques
Add the finishing touch to your degree certificate with a ready-to-hang frame or plaque. 
Our on-the-spot framing service provides a professional option with a choice of matboard colours, custom designed for your University award. 
Our plaques, available in Gold or Silver, can be mounted to a variety of bases and are a wonderful way to display your certificate at home or the office.
To pre-order your frame or plaque please sign in to the Graduation Portal.

Bears & Charms
Cute little bears, all dressed and ready to take home.
Available in a range of sizes with a graduation gown, mortarboard and a hood the same colour as yours!
Click here to pre-order your bear and have it ready to collect at your ceremony.