Higher Education Graduation
Eligibility to Graduate
To be eligible to attend a graduation ceremony, you must have:
- met the course completion requirements (successfully completed correct number of subjects including both core and electives);
- completed all assessment activities required in your course;
- resolved any outstanding subject results; and
- paid any outstanding fees or debts to TAFE NSW (tuition, loans, library fines, equipment fees).
From 1 January 2023, all higher education students will need a USI in order to graduate and receive their award unless an exemption applies regardless of when study was completed.
If you have completed or are nearing the end of your Higher Education course, please confirm with your Course Coordinator whether you are eligible to graduate.
Once you have confirmed that you are eligible to graduate, please complete this form to register your interest to course complete and attend the April 2025 graduation ceremony.
Graduation Ceremonies
The next graduation ceremonies will be held in April 2025.
Location
TAFE NSW Higher Education graduation ceremonies are held at:
TAFE NSW Ultimo Campus
Turner Hall
19 Mary Ann St
Ultimo NSW 2007
Invitation
If you are eligible to attend a graduation ceremony, your Graduation Invitation will be sent to your TAFE email address four to six weeks before your graduation date. The invitation will address relevant information regarding your graduation ceremony.
RSVP
If you wish to attend the next graduation ceremony you must RSVP and pay the graduation fee by the due date. We cannot accept payment on the day of the ceremony.
Completion Letter
If you are a TAFE NSW international student and wish to obtain a completion letter or require evidence to support visa applications for family members to attend the graduation please email your International Customer Experience Coordinator.
Fees and Payments
The graduation fee of $130 includes the following:
- Tickets to the ceremony for you and two (2) guests
- An official graduation program for your ceremony*
- Hire of your academic gown and hood*
- A graduation cap for you to keep*
- Light refreshments served to you and your guests after the ceremony
* These items will be given to you on the day of your ceremony at registration.
NOTE: The academic gown and hood should not leave the TAFE Ultimo campus. They must be returned to the Muse (Building C) within one hour after the ceremony ends. A replacement fee will be charged for academic regalia that is not returned.
Change of Name
Graduation documents are issued in the name you have registered on the TAFE Student Management System. Should you wish to change the name that will be printed on your testamur you need to send an email from your student email address to SASAdmissions@tafensw.edu.au requesting a name change together with a completed Enrolment adjustment change of personal details form and evidence to support your proposed name change. Name change requests must be submitted no less than 2 weeks prior to the graduation ceremony. Please contact 131 601 for additional support.
On the day of your Ceremony
Testamur
If you do not attend the TAFE NSW graduation, your testamur will be sent via mail after your graduation ceremony.
Replacement testamur
If your higher education testamur is lost, damaged or stolen, you can request a replacement testamur. You need to do this by visiting Customer Services Section at the TAFE NSW location where you completed your studies, to complete an Application for Replacement Testamur form and paying the relevant replacement fee.
Registration
You must register on arrival at Ultimo campus. Registration opens 90 minutes before your ceremony, and you will be able to collect your seating tickets and academic gown at registration. Registration is at The Muse – North Wing (Building C) Ultimo campus.
Ceremonies take approximately 90 minutes. A full schedule will be published closer to the graduation.
Seating
- You must arrive no later than 45 minutes before commencement of the ceremony
- Graduands and their guests should be seated 20 minutes before the ceremony in the seat corresponding to the number on their ticket and for the instructions to the ceremony proceedings
- Guest seating is provided inside Turner Hall and it is non-allocated
- Lift access is available for prams, strollers and wheelchair via the back entrance of Turner Hall
Live Streaming of Ceremony
There will be livestreaming available during the event and the details will be sent via email.
Refreshments
Graduates and their two guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments after the graduation ceremony.
Photography
During the ceremony, professional stage photographs will be taken of each graduate as they receive their testamur.
Photography services will be set up in The Muse – South Wing (Building C) where you will be able to purchase a professional photography package, testamur framing, and graduation memorabilia before and after the ceremony.
Parking and Public Transport
TAFE NSW is unable to provide parking on campus, however there is 2 hour metered parking in surrounding streets as well as several parking stations within short walking distance to TAFE Ultimo campus. TAFE Ultimo campus is conveniently located close to Central Railway Station and the Central Station Bus Interchange on George Street.
COVID Impacts
All graduation ceremonies are subject to COVID health orders in place at the time and may require ceremonies to be cancelled at short notice.
Cancellation of Ceremony
A full refund of the Graduation Fee will be issued if you decide to cancel your attendance and notify us prior to 24 hours of your ceremony. The cancellation link will be available on your invitation email.
Academic Achievement Awards
In addition to handing out testamurs to graduating students, the graduation ceremony is also an opportunity to recognise outstanding academic achievement with the awarding of two special awards.
- Dean’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement: If you are the highest achieving student in your graduating class and have achieved a High Distinction course grade, you may be eligible for this award. This award is made each semester to one eligible student in each course.
- Managing Director’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence: This award goes to the highest achieving graduate across all Bachelor degrees in each semester.
Contact us
Graduation enquiries
TafeDegrees@tafensw.edu.au
COVID Impacts
Please visit TAFE NSW COVID Information for the latest updates.