Central Coast

Congratulations Graduate, this is your moment!

Graduation represents the culmination of years of hard work, learning, and achievement. It’s a moment to celebrate your well-deserved success with family, friends, and fellow graduates.

Here you will find all the important information to ensure you get the most out of your day.

Graduation package

Your Graduation Package includes:

  • Academic dress hire:  gown and hood (if applicable)
  • Your trencher (black cap) or bonnet (if applicable) as a memento
  • Seating for you and up to two guests* at the ceremony
  • Tickets for you and up to two guests* to the Graduation Reception after the ceremony
  • Access to a copy of a photograph of you at the ceremony (an email will be sent to your preferred email account after your ceremony advising you how to access the photo).

Ceremony Information

Tickets

Your graduate package includes up to 2 guest tickets. You can find your graduate and guest tickets in your REED Graduation account, which you created during the registration process. On the day of your ceremony, please either:

  • download the REED app from Google Play or the Apple Store, or
  • download your booking confirmation directly from the REED website.

Be sure to bring one of these with you to the ceremony.

Guest seating is general seating, not allocated, and children over the age of 24 months require their own seat. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure their preferred seats.

*Additional tickets may be available for your ceremony, however this cannot be determined until after the graduate registration period closes. If additional tickets are made available for your ceremony, you will be emailed with details of how and when to purchase them. Additional guest tickets are offered on a first come, first serve basis and until exhausted.

Arrival and Registration

Plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before your ceremony start time.

Parking
Registration
  • Graduates make their way to the Tourism and Hospitality Building (campus map) to register attendance and collect your Academic Dress. Our staff will be on hand here to assist you in wearing your academic dress correctly.
  • Guests can head straight to the Fine Arts Building to find a seat the ceremony.
Before the ceremony
  • Once you have registered and collected your gown, make your way to the Fine Arts Building.
  • Send the live stream link to any family and friends you wish to share this remarkable moment with. A recording of the live-stream will also be available on the website a few days after your ceremony.

Academic Dress

Graduates are required to wear the approved University of Newcastle academic dress which includes a gown, and if appropriate, a hood and trencher (cap) or bonnet. If you are required to wear a trencher or bonnet on your head, we recommend a hairstyle that allows this to sit comfortably.

The hire of your academic dress is part of your graduation package and is paid for through the online graduation registration system at the same time you register. You are welcome to enrich the colour of the ceremony with garments from your cultural tradition. Academic dress hire terms and conditions (for Australian ceremonies) can also be viewed online before payment has been processed.

The academic gown is three-quarters in length and opens at the front, so your clothes will be visible. The gown is made of heavy material, so you may consider this and the weather when selecting your outfit.

You will be accessing the stage via stairs, so we recommend that you consider this when selecting your footwear.

If you require alternative access to the stage e.g. via the ramp, please indicate this in the online registration system.

Collecting your Academic Dress

Academic dress is collected on the day of your ceremony Tourism and Hospitality Building (building TH on map) at the following times:

Ceremony TimeCollection Time
10:00 am from 8:00 am
2:00 pmfrom 12:00 pm
6:00 pmfrom 4:00 pm

Please only arrive to collect your Academic Dress at the time allocated for your ceremony.

Returning your Academic Dress

Your Academic Dress must be returned before leaving Campus on the day of your ceremony. Please follow signage and return your academic dress hire to the Student Amenities Building (building SA on map) near the campus entrance.

If you would like to purchase all or part of your academic dress, this may be done through the Graduation Registration System at the time of registering your attendance.

Please contact Academic Dress Hire if you have any questions.

Phone: +61 2 4985 4132
Email: ad-hire@newcastle.edu.au

Additional information

Before the ceremony

  • You will need to be seated at least 30 minutes before the beginning of your ceremony. We will have staff to show you to your allocated seats once you enter the Fine Art Building.
  • You will be sitting with your fellow graduates, and your guests will have seating elsewhere in the hall. Ensure you give your guests their tickets before taking your seat.
  • If you have additional family and friends you'd like to share this special moment with, your graduation ceremony will be live-streamed in a Lecture Theatre opposite the Fine Art Building. They can also watch from home by visiting our website. A recording of the live stream will be available on the website a few days after the ceremony.
  • Our staff will direct you where you have to go for your moment on stage.
  • A professional photographer will take your photo whilst you are on the stage, so don't forget to stop before leaving the stage.

Order of proceedings

The official proceedings of the University of Newcastle Graduation Ceremonies include:

  • The Master of Ceremonies will announce the commencement of the Ceremony
  • The University Fanfare will herald the entry of the Dais Party
  • The assembly will rise and remain standing until the conclusion of the National Anthem
  • The Chancellor will open the proceedings
  • The Vice-Chancellor and President will address the assembly and introduce the Occasional speaker
  • The Occasional Address will be delivered
  • The Chancellor will confer awards
  • The Chancellor will invite a College representative to present the graduates
  • A Musical Interlude will be performed
  • The presentation of graduates will continue
  • The Chancellor will invite the Graduate Speaker to address the assembly
  • The Chancellor will declare the proceeding concluded
  • The University Fanfare will herald the departure of the Dais Party
  • The Graduates will join the Dais Party procession from the auditorium
  • Event concludes.

After the ceremony

  • Following on from your ceremony we will be holding a reception in the Gunda Burung Cafe for you and your guests to attend. Drinks and canapés will be served.
  • Professional photography and framing services will also be available in the Student Amenities Building.

Photography and Memorabilia

Photography & Framing

A professional photographer will be present at your graduation ceremony to capture this special moment. As a graduate, you’ll receive a complimentary stage photo of yourself holding your testamur. This image will be available to download and share via the REED Graduations app.

Studio Portrait Sessions

You and your guests also have the option to book a professional studio portrait session at the reception, available immediately after your ceremony. These sessions are limited, so we recommend booking in advance through the REED Graduations app.

Framing and Plaques

During your ceremony, you’ll have the opportunity to frame your testamur or order a commemorative plaque. To pre-order, simply use the REED Graduations app. On-the-day orders can also be placed at the REED Graduations desk located in the Graduation Reception area.

Memorabilia

Reflect on your time at the University of Newcastle with your own official university merchandise. Whether you are looking for classic styles or contemporary designs, The Shop gives everyone the opportunity to take a piece of the university home with them. View the full range here.

Open Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm you can find us in the Student Amenities Building.

If you miss the opportunity to purchase your official university merchandise at graduation, contact us, or visit us at The Shop.

The Shop
The University of Newcastle, Student Amenities Building
10 Chittaway Rd, Ourimbah NSW 2258

Contact: theshop@newcastle.edu.au

Refunds

What happens if I can no longer attend my Graduation ceremony?

If you can no longer attend your ceremony, you may request a swap to an alternative ceremony, or request a refund. All refund requests must be made in writing to hello@reedgraduations.com.au at least 2 business days before the Graduation series commences.

If you do not request a refund by the cut-off date, and are unable to attend your ceremony at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances, you may be eligible to attend the next round of ceremonies, free of charge. Please email graduation@newcastle.edu.au outlining the circumstances that prevented you from attending your ceremony.