FAQ

1. How do I apply to Graduate?
2. What happens after I have applied to Graduate
3. What happens at Graduation?
4. How long does the ceremony last?
5. Where is the ceremony held? is there parking?
6. What do I wear?
7. How much does it cost?
8. How do I hire academic dress?
9. What if I have more than one award?
10. Who can I invite?
11. Where do guests go?
12. What facilities are available at the graduation ceremony?
13. What if I can’t attend?
14. What must I do to receive my award at a graduation ceremony?
15. General Enquiries
16. Parking Tips

Please note that graduate names will be published in the media.

1. How do I apply to Graduate?
At the beginning of your last semester you should submit an Application for Award Form (PDF 79Kb) for the program you are completing.

When completed this form should be returned by mail to:

Awards & Graduation Team
Canberra Institute of Technology
GPO Box 826
Canberra City 2601

or by fax: +61 2 6207 4316

Depending on the qualification completed your award will be sent by mail to you or you will be advised about the next available graduation ceremony.

If you have any queries about your application for award you can phone the Awards & Graduation Team on + 61 2 6207 4111

2. What happens after I have applied to Graduate?
When you submit an application for award your academic record will be assessed against the program you specified. You will be advised in writing on the status of your application.

3. What happens at Graduation?
The official ceremony begins with a procession of the official party and Institute staff wearing academic dress. Following a brief speech by the Chief Executive, Institute prizes and medals are presented. A guest speaker addresses the audience and graduands are then presented with their awards. Light refreshments will be available after the ceremony.

4. How long does the ceremony last?
The ceremony will go for about 2 hours. Graduands need to register and be fitted with academic robes before the ceremony, registration commences two hours prior to the ceremony and closes 45 minutes prior to the commencement of the ceremony..

5. Where is the Ceremony held?
Ceremonies for all students will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport Indoor Arena, Leverrier Crescent, Bruce.
International Student Graduation (December each year) will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport Theatrette, Leverrier Crescent, Bruce.

6. What do I wear?
Ceremonies are robed occasions. Academic dress is worn over your clothes. Please wear smart casual clothing bearing in mind that academic gowns are quite heavy and warm. CIT Centre discipline colours are:

• Creative Arts – electric blue
• Tourism - maroon
• Business – new gold
• Science – apple green
• Building – saxe blue
• Engineering - jade
• Community Services - grape
• Health - new orchid
• Information Technology – new red
• Teacher Education – academic gold
• Indigenous Studies (Aboriginal) - red/gold/black
• Indigenous Studies (Torres Strait Islander) – blue/white/green
• Vocational College - burnt orange

7. How much does it cost?
The cost of hiring academic dress is $55.00 or $75.00 (subject to change without notice) depending on the level of the program you are graduating from (see below). There is no cost for guests to attend the ceremony.

Level of Award

Academic Dress

Hire Cost

Certificate II
Certificate III
Certificate IV
Diploma
Advanced Diploma

Black gown, stole in discipline colour.

$55.00

Bachelor Degree

Black gown, hood in discipline colour, mortar board (cap).

$75.00

Graduate Certificate
Graduate Diploma

Black gown, stole in discipline colour, mortar board (cap).

$75.00

8. How do I hire academic dress?
When we receive your RSVP to attend the ceremony, an invoice for the academic dress hire will be posted to you. This invoice sets out the amount and due date for payment.
You collect your academic dress after registering to graduate on the day of the ceremony.
If your circumstances change and you are no longer able to attend you must notify us in writing before the ceremony to be eligible for a refund or to have the academic dress hire fee removed from your student account with CIT.

9. What if I have more than one award?
If more than one award is to be presented you will receive them at the same time. You will be presented with all of your awards at the graduation ceremony for your highest qualification.

10. Who can I invite?
You may bring three guests only. Please complete and return the RSVP section of your invitation to confirm your guest attendance indicating if your guests have a disability or access issue.

11. Where do guests go?
Graduation staff will direct all guests to the appropriate seating in the indoor arena and help graduands and guests needing assistance due to a disability or access issue.

12. What facilities are available at the graduation ceremony?
Photographic and framing services are available before and after the ceremony. Please note that there are Automatic Teller Machines (ATM’s) at the venue.

13. What if I can't attend?
If you are not able to attend this graduation ceremony you have two options:

a. You can choose to defer your graduation to the next graduation ceremony. You should indicate this choice on the reply paid card attached to your invitation. (Only International students can elect to defer to the ceremony held in December each year).

b. You can collect your award from the Awards and Graduation Team (Mon-Thur 8.30am - 5.00pm, Fri 8.30am - 4.00pm), 1st Floor, Building H, Room 120 Bruce Campus within the 2 weeks following graduation ceremonies. You will need to present a photo ID when collecting your award. Awards not collected within the 2 allocated weeks will be posted to you in the third week after graduation.

Please ensure that CIT is informed of your correct mailing address.

14. What must I do to receive my award at a graduation ceremony?

a. Complete and return the reply paid card attached to your invitation before the RSVP date printed on your invitation.

b. Pay for the hire of your academic dress prior to the date printed on the invoice. Payment options are listed on the invoice.

c. Arrive at the Australian Institute of Sport and register at the Student Registration room at the time advised in your graduation brochure. Once you are registered you will be fitted for academic dress. The registration area will be well signposted. Registration closes 45 minutes prior to the ceremony starting. Graduands arriving late may not be announced during the ceremony.

d. Go to your allocated seat in the Indoor Arena 10 minutes before the ceremony is due to start. Graduation staff will assist you and your guests with seating.

e. Do not change seats with other graduands. Your seat number is attached to your graduation program. Please switch off mobile phones.

f. At the appropriate time in the ceremony graduation staff will direct you to the stage to receive your award.

g. When your name is announced, walk to centre stage and take your award with your left hand, leaving your right hand free for your congratulatory handshake with the presenter of your award. A photograph will be taken of your presentation. You have the option of purchasing this photo from the photographer after the ceremony.

h. After receiving your award, move across the stage and return to your allocated seat. Please remain seated until the end of the ceremony.

i. Light refreshments will be available at the conclusion of the ceremony for graduates and guests.

j. Return your academic dress to the Student Registration room at the conclusion of the ceremony.

15. General Enquiries
For further information regarding graduation please telephone +61 2 6207 4111 during business hours.

16. Parking Tips
There is plenty of parking adjacent to the venue.

Please note that graduates names will be published in the media.