This ceremony is for Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students only and occurs in May each year at RMIT City campus.
All other students (undergraduate, masters by coursework, VE/TAFE) are not eligible to graduate from this ceremony. View other graduation ceremony options.
| Activity | Date/deadlines | Location |
|---|---|---|
Final archival submission Current PhD candidates must complete their final archival submission by this date to be eligible to attend the 2026 Doctoral Degrees Ceremony. |
Friday 20 March 2026 |
N/A |
Confirmation of attendance and ceremony payment See Eligibility and how confirm your attendance for instructions. |
Monday 30 March – Friday 17 April 2026 |
N/A
|
Gown and ticket collection See Collect your gown and tickets for more information. |
Tuesday 12 May 2026, 3pm – 6pm | RMIT Storey Hall (Building 16), Level 7, 336/348 Swanston Street, Melbourne |
Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony See At the ceremony for more information. |
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 1.45pm – 5pm | RMIT Storey Hall (Building 16), Level 5, 336/348 Swanston Street, Melbourne |
To be eligible to attend this ceremony you must be a PhD candidate who:
The Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony is exclusively for doctoral/PhD students.
| Cohort | Date/s | How to confirm attendance and pay ceremony fee | Ceremony fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current PhD students due complete final archival submission by 20 March 2026 | Monday 30 March – Friday 17 April 2026 |
|
The fee is $250*. This includes:
|
| PhD graduates/alumni who completed their PhD prior to 20 March 2026 and graduated in absentia (have NOT attended a previous ceremony) | Monday 30 March – Friday 17 April 2026 | If you have already graduated with a PhD from RMIT and you wish to attend the 2026 Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony, please complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Form. | The fee is $195*. This includes:
Because you've already graduated, you won't receive a hard copy testamur at the ceremony. The reduced fee reflects this. |
*Note: there are no discounts if you provide your own academic dress and catering or invite fewer guests.
If you have confirmed your attendance but can no longer attend the ceremony, please contact the Graduation team via Student Connect by 4 May 2026 to let us know you can nolonger attend. We will refund the ceremony fee by the end of May 2026.
If you would prefer to attend the 2026 Melbourne Graduation Ceremony at Marvel Stadium in December, or the 2027 Doctoral Degree Gradiuation Ceremony, you can either defer your graduation to a later ceremony or graduate in absentia and then attend the later ceremony. Your choice will determine when you get your academic statements.
To defer your graduation, you will need to update your graduation option in Enrolment Online from 30 March 2026. If you defer your graduation, you won't receive your testamur and other graduation documents until you attend your nominated ceremony.
To graduate and get your testamur and other statements sooner, you can apply to graduate in absentia and complete the relevant expression of interest form below to attend a later ceremony.
Once you submit the form, we'll contact you closer to the ceremony date with information about attending ceremony.
Due to venue capacity constraints and anticipated attendance numbers, each graduate will be allocated three (3) guest tickets (not including the graduate).
Requests for additional guest tickets cannot be accommodated for this ceremony. Graduates who wish to attend with more than three guests are advised to participate in the Melbourne Graduation Ceremony in December.
If you have guests attending graduation from outside Australia, please arrange their travel visas well in advance. When you confirm your attendance at the ceremony, you will receive a confirmation email – this can be used to support your guest's visa application. Due to specific government travel and visa requirements, RMIT cannot provide your guests with individual personalised invitations.
If a baby or toddler will be seated on someone's lap, they don't need a ticket. If they need their own seat, a ticket is required. Prams must be left outside the auditorium, in the foyer.
Pets are not permitted in the venue. Only service animals will be admitted.
Collect your gown and tickets (your seating ticket, plus 3 guest tickets) at the following time and location:
If you can't attend the gown and ticket collection date, you can ask someone else to collect your gown and tickets for you. We will need to verify their identity, so please ask them to bring photo ID and a copy/photo of your ceremony confirmation email or your student card.
For instructions on how to wear your graduation dress, watch the video or download the How to wear your academic dress flyer (PDF).
RMIT’s graduation dress is based on the Oxford style so, you'll wear a traditional gown, a hood or stole and a bonnet.
PhD gowns are black and red.
Need help with your gown? Don't worry, we'll have people at the ceremony to help you look your best.
After the ceremony, please return your academic dress to the gown collection point in the foyer on level 5 (outside the auditorium).
If you and/or your guests have accessibility requirements, let us know before the ceremony by contacting the Graduation team via Student Connect to discuss how we can support your requirements.
Ceremony date: Wednesday 13 May 2026
Ceremony venue: Storey Hall Auditorium (Building 16, level 5), 336/348 Swanston Street, RMIT City campus
Note, the times below are indicative and subject to change. For more information on each activity, see What to expect.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 1.45pm | Graduate registration and briefing at Storey Hall, Auditorium, level 5 Graduates, please ensure you arrive on time for your rehearsal wearing your academic dress. Please ensure you bring your ticket and sit in your allocated seat. |
| 2.30pm | Auditorium doors open for guests Guests must bring their guest tickets. |
| 2.40pm | All guests must be seated |
| 3pm-4pm | Ceremony |
| 4pm-5pm | Post-ceremony reception During the reception, you can also collect your testamur from the foyer on level 5, outside the auditorium (only applicable to candidates who graduate on the day). Photography will be available on level 7. Before you leave the reception, return your academic dress in the foyer on level 5, outside the auditorium. |
Please ensure you bring the following:
Note, there is no cloak room or storage facilities at this event. All personal items must be stored below your seat during the ceremony. Prams must be left outside the auditorium, in the foyer.
Do NOT bring pets to the ceremony. Only service animals will be admitted.
Guests and graduates are seated seperately. Graduates will have reserved seating at the front of the auditorium for easy access to the stage.
Guest seating is NOT reserved. Guests may sit anywhere on the mezzanine level. A small number of guest seats are available on the main floor of the auditorium, for guests with accessibility requirements.
Before the ceremony, graduates must attend registration and rehersal. Graduates must be seated in their allocated seat for rehearsal. The seat number on your ticket must match the number on your seat.
For information on registration and rehersal times, see the ceremony schedule.
The Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony is a traditional graduation ceremony featuring an academic procession, speeches, the awarding of an honorary doctorate and presentation of doctoral degrees.
During the presentation of degrees, the name of each doctoral graduate will be read out and the thesis summary will be displayed on the screen. Each graduate will appear on stage and the Chancellor will present them with an RMIT-branded graduation folder. A professional photographer will take a photo of each graduate as their receive their graduation folder.
For information on the ceremony start and end times, see the ceremony schedule.
Immediately after the ceremony, refreshments will be served in the foyer on level 5.
Note, the reception is a standing-only event and may be crowded!
During the reception you can also collect your testamur. Photography will be available on level 7.
After the ceremony, please return your academic dress to the gown collection point in the foyer on level 5 (outside the auditorium).
Storey Hall (Building 16) is located at 336/348 Swanston Street (near the corner of La Trobe Street), Melbourne 3000. View on Google Maps.
The ceremony will take place in the Auditorium on level 5.
Graduates and guests are encouraged to take public transport to attend the ceremony. RMIT City campus is easily accessed via train, tram and bus. Plan your journey on the Public Transport Victoria website or download the PTV App.
Train: The nearest train stations to RMIT City campus are Melbourne Central Station and State Library Station (both a 2 minute walk to/from Storey Hall).
Tram: Trams running along Swanston Street include routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 64, 67 and 72. Tram routes 24, 30 and 35 run along La Trobe Street.
Visit the Public Transport Victoria website or download the PTV App for more information and connecting services in your area.
No on-campus parking is available for visitors, but you’ll find many commercial car parks a short distance away or RMIT City campus parking on 110 Victoria Street (entrance via Cardigan Street).
Reed Graduation Photography will provide professional photography at the Doctoral Degree Graduation Ceremony.
You will receive an email 24 hours after the ceremony with instructions to access your complimentary group shots and buy your stage photo.
Have your professional graduation portrait taken, individually or with your guests.
Please note, there is a cost to have your portrait photos taken.
Dates and times:
Location: RMIT Storey Hall (Building 16), Level 7. 336/348 Swanston Street, RMIT City campus
How to book: You can pre-book your portrait session via the Reed Graduations website. Otherwise, you're welcome to line up and register to have your photo taken on the day.
Framing and plaques can be ordered through R & J Framing.
Buy RMIT graduation gifts and merch online via the RMIT Store on in-store at City campus.
When you attend RMIT official events or activities you may be photographed or recorded. By attending the event, you agree to RMIT's Terms.
If you're graduating at the ceremony, you will receive your hard-copy testamur after the ceremony. Collect your testamur after the ceremony from the customer service desk located in the foyer on level 5 (outside the auditorium).
If you graduate in absentia before the ceremony but choose to attend the ceremony, you won't receive a hard copy testamur.
Your testamur (certificate) and graduation statements are legal documents and can only be issued using your legal name. If you need to update your legal name, please Update your personal details by 30 April 2026 so that your testamur can be printed with your updated legal name. Any requested changes made after this date can't be guaranteed.
The 2026 Doctoral Degree Ceremony will be available to watch via YouTube livestream.
The livestream will commence at 3pm Melbourne-time Wednesday 13 May 2026.
If you have questions about the Doctoral Degrees Graduation Ceremony or need assistance, please contact the Graduation team via Student Connect.
If you attend a graduation ceremony, you'll wear graduation dress. Find out what it will look like and how to wear it.
Check your eligibility to graduate, know how to apply, and choose to graduate at a ceremony or in absentia.
Find out about RMIT graduation ceremonies in Australia and around the world.
The Higher Degrees by Research (HDR) submission and examination process includes steps both you and your supervisor need to complete.
Find out about the different types of academic statements available at RMIT, how to order and access them, plus verifying and authenticating qualifications.
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