Graduation Celebrations | Class of 2025

Doors open to graduates at 7:30am; all graduates must be in their allocated seats by 9:10am. Guests can arrive from 8:30am. The main hall doors will close at 9:15am and will not reopen until the formalities conclude at 11:30am. Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the main hall after 9:15am.

On arrival

On Graduation Day, graduates will enter through the Collins Street entrance from 7:30am. Our MBS team will greet you at the door to check you in. From there, you will head to the Hoddle Room to be gowned in your regalia and will receive your seat number.

Your seat number determines the order in which you will cross the stage and be presented. Please do not switch your seats. We ask that all graduates be in their allocated seats by 9:10am. The formalities will officially begin at 9:30am with the procession entering the main hall.

During the formal celebration

Ushers will be available to guide guests and students to the bathroom and foyer area as required. All guests and graduates are expected to be respectful and remain in their seats until the end of the formal celebration, even after you have been presented on stage.

Your moment on stage

• When it is your turn to be presented, you will be ushered from your allocated seat and directed towards the presentation point on the stage.
• Your name will be called and you will come forward to be presented as a new graduate.
• To acknowledge the Dean, simply, “doff” (nod and pinch the front of your trencher AKA graduation cap).
• You will shake hands with the Dean.
• Briefly pause and face the photographer for an onstage photo.
• Exit the stage via the central stairs and return to your seat.

End of formalities

Once all graduates have been presented on stage, the procession will form the Guard of Honour and all graduates will stand and walk through the Guard while your friends and family congratulate you. There will be light refreshments available and time for photos with your loved ones. All regalia must be returned to the Hoddle Room by 12:30pm.

Your graduation fee covers:

• Two guest tickets
• Academic dress (regalia) hire

Each graduate is allocated two guest tickets as part of their graduation fee.

You may indicate in your order if you would like additional guest tickets. If there are seats remaining once ticket sales have closed, a ballot will be conducted and those selected will be contacted and given the opportunity to buy additional guest tickets. Initial ticketing for the Graduation Celebration will close on Friday 27 June. The ballot will be conducted in early July with successful graduates being contacted immediately. Additional ticket sales will close on Friday 1 August.

Children who are 4 years or younger do not require a ticket, however they must sit on the lap of a guardian if the Formal Celebration is sold out.

Graduates enter through the Collins Street entrance from 7:30am.

Guests enter through the Swanston Street entrance, and doors will open at 8:30am. The main hall doors will close at 9:15am and will not reopen until after the formalities at 11:30am. Accessible seating is reserved for those with special access requirements and/or prams. Please see an usher on arrival who will direct you to the priority seating area.

Food and drink are not permitted within Melbourne Town Hall, including coffee. We ask that any food and drink be disposed of before entering the venue.

Bottled water will be allowed in the venue.

Children are welcome to attend the Graduation Formal Celebration. Children who are 4 years or younger do not require a ticket, however they must sit on the lap of a guardian if the Formal Celebration is sold out.

Limited parking is available near the event venues. For your convenience, information on the closest parking and public transport options is provided below:

Melbourne Town Hall

For information on the closest parking options, please click here.

Public Transport: Nearby train stations are Flinders Street and Melbourne Central, and trams run frequently along both Swanston and Collins Streets. The closest tram stop is Collins St/Swanston St. Tram services to this stop include: 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 11, 12, 16, 48, 64, 67, 72, 109.

No, there are no reserved seats for guests. We suggest guests arrive on time to secure their preferred seat on the balcony. Guests with special access requirements will have priority seating on the ground floor.

If you are a graduate requiring any access or support assistance during the ceremony (such as restricted mobility, vision or hearing impairments) or have any guests with accessibility requirements, please contact the Student Services Team when you register (at least 3 days prior to your formal celebration) to discuss your needs. You will also be able to note any accessibility requests when booking your tickets and regalia online. We will ensure that arrangements are in place for you and your guests.

Accessible venue access
The Swanston Street entrance is the only accessible entrance for guests due to the stairs on the Collins Street entrance.

Pram access and parking
There is a dedicated area in the guest-seating area for parents with prams on the ground floor of the Main Hall. Please note the need for a pram space in the special requirements when booking online.

Official photographers will be available before and after formalities to provide graduates and their families with professional graduation portraits. Photos will take place in the Swanston Hall. All graduates will be photographed on stage with the Dean. Photos are available to view and purchase online directly after formalities.

During the formal celebration you are permitted to take photos using a smartphone from your seat (just not while being presented on stage).

Yes, the Graduation Formal Celebration at Melbourne Town Hall will be live-streamed. More details to come.

If you have registered and paid for your graduation formal celebration and can no longer attend, please contact the Student Services on +61 3 9394 8203 or email [email protected] to advise your absence.

You can apply for a refund if you've already paid your graduation fee but can no longer make it to your ceremony.

Please contact the Student Services at [email protected] to apply for your refund.

Parking near Ormond College is limited. The closest parking options can be found here.

Public transport is also a great option with trams frequently running along Royal Parade and Swanston Street. The nearest tram stop is Gatehouse/Royal Parade, serviced by Tram 19.