Graduation Celebration | Class of 2026

• 8.00am - Doors open to graduates
• 9.00am - Doors open to guests
• 9.30am - Graduates seated in main hall
• 9.45am - Doors close to main hall
• 10.00am - Formalities commence
• 12.00am - Formalities conclude
• 1.00pm - All regalia returned

Doors open to graduates at 8:00am; all graduates must be in their allocated seats by 9:30am. Guests can arrive from 9:00am. The Main Hall doors will close at 9:45am and will not reopen until the formalities conclude at 12:00pm. Late arrivals will not be permitted to enter the Main Hall after 9:45am.

On arrival

On Graduation Day, graduates will enter through the Collins Street entrance from 8:00am. 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 to receive your allocated 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 9:30am. The formalities will officially begin at 10:00am with the procession entering the main hall.

During the formalities

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 formalities, 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 academic procession will form a Guard of Honour and all graduates will stand and walk through the Guard while your friends and family congratulate you. There will be time for photos with your class colleagues and loved ones. All regalia must be returned to the Hoddle Room by 1:00pm.

Graduation costs

Your graduation fee covers:

• Three guest tickets (included with the purchase of your Graduation Ticket)
• Academic dress (regalia) hire

If you would like more guest tickets than the three included with your Graduation Ticket, please indicate this when placing your order.

If you would like additional guest tickets, you can indicate this when placing your order. Once initial ticket sales close, on Friday 26 June, any remaining seats will be offered via a ballot in early July. Graduates selected in the ballot will be contacted directly and given the opportunity to purchase extra tickets. Additional ticket sales will close Friday 31 July.

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

Graduates enter through the Collins Street entrance from 8:00am.

Guests enter through the Swanston Street entrance, and doors will open at 9:00am. The main hall doors will close at 9:45am and will not reopen until after the formalities at 12:00am.

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.

Yes. You will be gowned and wear the regalia for your entire Graduation Celebration. Graduates will need to hand the regalia back one hour after the Graduation Celebration has concluded.

Your regalia
On Graduation Day, please make your way to the Hoddle Room once you register with the event staff at the Collins Street entrance. Collection is from 8:00am and regalia must be returned by 1:00pm. Staff will ensure that your regalia is positioned correctly before you are presented on stage.

Please note only University of Melbourne regalia is permitted. Clothes worn underneath your gown will be visible, so please dress appropriately. The University does not provide the option to purchase regalia.

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 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 Graduation 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 Town Hall, 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. 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 Student Services at [email protected] when you register (at least 3 days prior to your Graduation 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 formalities you are permitted to take photos using a smartphone from your seat (just not while being presented on stage).

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

If you have registered and paid for your Graduation Celebration and can no longer attend, please contact 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 Graduation Celebration.

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