Higher education graduation

Find out about ceremony dates, fees, how to register and what to expect on the day. You’ll also learn what you need to be eligible to graduate from TAFE NSW higher education.

Graduation eligibility

You can attend your graduation ceremony if you have:

successfully completed the correct number of subjects, including both core and elective units
completed all course assessments
resolved any outstanding subject results
paid any fees or debts owed to TAFE NSW, such as tuition, loans, library fines or equipment fees.

You’ll also need a Unique Student Identifier (USI) to graduate and receive your qualification, unless you’ve been given an exemption.

If you’ve finished or are close to finishing your course, check with your course coordinator to make sure you’re eligible to graduate.

Graduation ceremonies

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 are on 23 October 2025.

Morning ceremony (10am – 11:30am)

Bachelor of 3D Art and Animation
Bachelor of Community Services
Bachelor of Creative Practice specialising in Music Production and Performance
Bachelor of Creative Practice specialising in Visual Arts
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5)
Bachelor of Fashion Design
Diploma of Adult Education
Diploma of Fashion

Afternoon ceremony (2pm – 3:30pm)

Bachelor of Applied Commerce (including all majors)
Bachelor of Business (including all specialisations)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Cyber and Network Security)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Network Security)
Bachelor of Information Technology (Data Engineering)
Bachelor of Property Valuation
Diploma of Applied Commerce
Diploma of Business
Diploma of Information Technology
Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering
Diploma of Sustainable Practice
Graduate Certificate in Leadership
Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning
Undergraduate Certificate in Business Management
Undergraduate Certificate in Commercial and Tax Law
Undergraduate Certificate in Finance and Investment
Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Practice

Before your graduation ceremony

Receiving your invitation

If you’re eligible to graduate and have registered to attend, we’ll email your invitation to your TAFE NSW account. You’ll get this about 4–6 weeks before your graduation ceremony, and it will include all the details you need.

Confirming your attendance

To attend the 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 $130 graduation fee covers:

ceremony tickets for you and 2 guests
an official graduation program*
hire of your academic gown and hood*
a graduation cap you can keep*
light refreshments for you and your guests after the ceremony.

*These will be given to you on the day of your ceremony at registration.

Important: Your gown and hood must stay on the TAFE NSW Ultimo campus. They need to be returned to the Muse (Building C) within one hour after the ceremony ends. If they’re not returned, you’ll be charged a replacement fee.

Requesting a completion letter

If you’re an international student and your family needs a visa to attend your graduation, you can ask for a completion letter or other evidence to support their application. To do this, email yourInternational Customer Experience Coordinator.

Cancelling your attendance

You’ll get a full refund of your graduation fee if you cancel at least 24 hours before your ceremony. Use the cancellation link in your invitation email.

The day of your ceremony

Public transport and parking

The TAFE NSW Ultimo campus is close to Central Railway Station and the Central Station Bus Interchange on George Street.

There is no parking on campus. You’ll find 2-hour metered street parking close by, and several parking stations within a short walk.

Registration

When you arrive at the Ultimo campus, go to The Muse – North Wing (Building C). Registration opens 90 minutes before your ceremony. At registration, you’ll collect your seating tickets and academic gown.

Seating

You need to arrive at least 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. You and your guests should be seated 20 minutes before the ceremony to receive instructions.

Please sit in the seat that matches your ticket. Guest seating inside Turner Hall is unassigned. Lift access is available at the back entrance of Turner Hall.

Ceremony live-streaming

People can watch the event via live stream. The details will be emailed to you.

Photography

Professional photos will be taken of each graduate on stage when they receive their certificate.

Extra photography services will be available in The Muse – South Wing (Building C). You can buy a professional photo package, certificate framing and graduation souvenirs before and after the ceremony.

Refreshments

You and your 2 guests are invited to enjoy light refreshments after the ceremony.

Receiving your graduation certificate

You’ll receive your graduation certificate on the day of the ceremony. If you don’t attend, we’ll mail it to you afterward.

If your graduation certificate is lost, damaged or stolen, you can get a replacement. Go to the customer services section at the TAFE NSW campus where you studied.

You’ll need to fill out an application for replacement testamur form, and pay the replacement fee.

Changing your printed name

Your graduation documents will show the name you used when you registered in the TAFE NSW student management system. If you want a different name on your certificate, fill out an enrolment adjustment change of personal details form.

Then, use your student email to send the completed form and any supporting evidence to SASAdmissions@tafensw.edu.au

Be sure to submit name change requests at least 2 weeks before your graduation ceremony.