Higher Education graduation

Learn about ceremony schedules, fees, registration procedures and guidelines for attendees. You’ll also learn the eligibility requirements for graduating from TAFE NSW Higher Education.

You'll be able to attend your graduation ceremony if you have:

• successfully completed the correct number of subjects, including both your core and elective units
• completed all assessment activities required for your course
• resolved any outstanding subject results paid any outstanding fees or debts to TAFE NSW, including things like tuition, loans, library fines and equipment fees.

You will also need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to graduate and receive your award, unless an exemption has been granted.
If you have completed or are nearing the end of your Higher Education course, please confirm your eligibility to graduate with your course coordinator.

Graduation ceremonies for TAFE NSW Higher Education are held twice a year at:

TAFE NSW Ultimo Campus Turner Hall,
19 Mary Ann Street,
Ultimo NSW 2007

The next graduation ceremonies will be held on 10 April 2025.

Receiving your invitation

If you’re eligible to graduate and have registered your interest in attending a graduation ceremony, your invitation will be sent to your TAFE NSW email address. You can expect to receive this invitation 4–6 weeks before your graduation date. Your invitation will include all relevant information regarding your graduation ceremony.

Confirming your attendance

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.

Graduation fees and payments

Your graduation fee of $130 includes:

• 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 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.

Requesting a completion letter

If you’re a TAFE NSW international student and have family members who want to attend your graduation, you can request a completion letter or evidence to support their visa applications to enable them to attend your graduation.  You can do this by emailing your International Customer Experience Coordinator.

Cancelling your attendance

A full refund of the graduation fee will be issued if you decide to cancel your attendance as long as you provide at least 24 hours notice before your ceremony. A cancellation link can be found in your invitation email.

Public transport and parking

The TAFE Ultimo campus is conveniently located near Central Railway Station and the Central Station Bus Interchange on George Street. Parking is not available on campus. However, there is 2-hour metered parking in the surrounding streets, as well as several parking stations within a short walking distance of the TAFE Ultimo campus.

Registration

You must register upon arrival at the Ultimo campus at The Muse – North Wing (Building C). Registration opens 90 minutes before your ceremony. You can collect your seating tickets and academic gown at registration.

Seating

You must arrive at least 45 minutes before the commencement of the ceremony.  You and your guests should be seated 20 minutes before the ceremony for instructions on the ceremony proceedings. Please sit in the seat number corresponding to your ticket. Guest seating is provided inside Turner Hall and is non-allocated. Lift access is available for prams, strollers and wheelchairs via the back entrance of Turner Hall.

Ceremony live-streaming

People will be able to join via live stream, available during the event. The details for this will be sent via email.

Photography

During the ceremony, professional stage photographs will be taken of each graduate as they receive their graduation certificate. Additional photography services will be set up in The Muse – South Wing (Building C). You can purchase a professional photography package, graduation certificate framing and graduation memorabilia before and after the ceremony.

Refreshments

Graduates and their two guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments after the graduation ceremony.

You’ll receive your graduation certificate on the day of your graduation ceremony. If you do not attend the TAFE NSW graduation, your graduation certificate will be mailed to you after your graduation ceremony.

If your graduation certificate is lost, damaged or stolen, you can request a replacement. Simply visit the customer services section at the TAFE NSW location where you completed your studies.

You’ll need to complete an Application for Replacement Testamur form and pay the relevant replacement fee.

Your graduation documents will be issued in the name you used to register on the TAFE Student Management System. If you want to change the name that will appear on your graduation certificate, you need to complete an Enrolment adjustment change of personal details form.

After filling out the form, email it to SASAdmissions@tafensw.edu.au from your student email account, including any evidence to support your name change request.

Please ensure that name change requests are submitted at least two weeks before your graduation ceremony.

Still unsure about higher education graduation? For more information, give us a call on 131601.