Frequently Asked Questions

Ceremony Information

How long is the graduation ceremony?

The length of the ceremony is dependent on the number of graduands, you need to allow up to two hours. 
Most ACU graduation ceremonies are 90 mins long.

What time do I need to arrive for my graduation ceremony?

You need to arrive at least 3 hours before your ceremony time, to allow adequate time for registration, gowning and the option of professional photography services.

All graduands must attend the compulsory student briefing which commences 1 hour 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.

Where can I get further information about ACU graduation?

Please refer to the ACU Graduation pages for all information about graduation and the ceremonies: https://www.acu.edu.au/student-life/graduation

Academic Dress

All graduates attending the ceremony are required to wear the appropriate academic attire - gown with a hood and mortarboard or bonnet. As your graduation is a formal event, we recommend wearing business attire under your gown and comfortable shoes.

Academic dress can be hired from GFP Graduations. Students are encouraged to obtain their academic dress from GFP Graduations who are the Universities preferred supplier.

Other Graduation Services

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

Venue Info

Canberra Graduation

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

Ballarat Graduation

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

Brisbane Graduation

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

Melbourne Graduation

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

Sydney Graduation

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

Contact Us

For any issue and enquiries, please contact our customer support representatives at: support@gfpgraduations.com.au, call our Customer Support team at Australia: 1300 360 445 - International: +61 8 8154 1388 or fill out the form here to send us feedback.

To assist us in processing your enquiry, please provide us with some information about yourself.

Gown Collection Times & Locations

Arrive at the venue at least 3 hours before your ceremony on your graduation day. At the ACU registration desk you will be provided a gown collection ticket and directed to the gowning collection points.

On graduation day the registration desk will close one hour before the ceremony and your name will be removed from the presentation lists if you have not arrived by that time.

Where and when can I collect my Academic Dress?

Canberra Ceremony 
Academic Dress can be collected from National Convention Centre 
Registration and academic dress will open 3 hours prior to your ceremony

Ballarat Ceremony 
Academic Dress can be collected from Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre 
Registration and academic dress will open 3 hours prior to your ceremony

Brisbane Ceremonies 
Academic Dress can be collected from Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Registration and academic dress will open 3 hours prior to your ceremony

Sydney Ceremonies
Academic Dress can be collected from Rosehill Gardens
Registration and academic dress will open 3 hours prior to your ceremony

Melbourne Ceremonies
Academic Dress can be collected from the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Registration and academic dress will open 3 hours prior to your ceremony

FAQ on Academic Dress

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 after you have finalized your photographic and graduation services within 2 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 credit card - can I pay cash?

We highly recommend you use our secure online ordering system to ensure availability. Your receipt will be emailed to you. Alternatively, you can contact GFP to make a booking to pay on the day using cash and/or debit transactions.

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 prices vary depending on your requirements - as a general rule:

Terms and Conditions

Academic dress MUST be booked during the ACU graduation registration period to avoid a late booking fee of $35.
Return of Academic Dress - Academic Dress is to be returned within 2 hours of 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. Purchase price is three times hire price.

How to wear your academic dress

Gown - The gown is worn over the top of your clothing like a jacket, undergraduate's arms go through the sleeve, Post graduate students arm's slide 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.

Mortar Board - The Mortar Board is worn with shallow part to the front of your head and the deep part at the back of the head. Mortar Board and PhD bonnet tassels are to the right.

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 hair style.

Academic Dress Sizes

Guest tickets will be emailed to you upon completion of registration. All tickets must be printed in advance, and given to your guests so that they can gain entry to your ceremony. You (the graduand) do not require a ticket. Graduation is a ticketed event and any guests without a ticket will not be permitted entry. Each ticket has a unique barcode that will be scanned upon entry.

You should receive your tickets via email within 30 minutes of submitting payment. If your ticket email hasn’t arrived, please check your junk email folder in case your email has been delivered there instead of your inbox.

Children above the age of two are required to have a guest ticket and 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.

Save time on your ceremony day you may and pre-order 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 mat 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.